South Asia is home to the nation of Nepal. India and China both abut it on the south, east and west sides, respectively. The Terai lowlands and the northern Himalayas, which contain Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, make up Nepal’s varied topography. The nation has a diverse cultural heritage that combines Buddhist and Hindu customs. There are more than 100 languages spoken in the nation, with Nepali serving as the official tongue. There are numerous well-known trekking and mountaineering locations in Nepal. If you are a UAE resident, you need a visa to enter this beautiful country. UAE citizens can get a Nepal visa at the airport for your fantastic trip. Learn more about the Nepal visa for UAE residents in this article.
The Immigration Offices, operating under the Department of Immigration, facilitate tourists flying to Nepal by offering Visa on Arrival. The process for obtaining a visa upon arrival is quick and straightforward, although queues may occur during peak tourist seasons. Alternatively, tourists can opt to acquire a visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions abroad before their arrival.
If you obtain a visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions, you must enter Nepal within six months from the date of issuance. Your total stay duration begins from the day you enter Nepal.
Visas obtained on arrival at entry and exit points are categorized as ‘Tourist Visas’ and grant multiple re-entry facilities. It’s important to note that the Tourist Visa on Arrival is the sole entry visa for Nepal. Even if your purpose for visiting Nepal differs from tourism (such as sightseeing, touring, mountaineering, trekking, visiting friends and family), you still need to obtain a Tourist Visa. However, you must later change the visa category as per your purpose and length of stay in Nepal by providing the necessary documents to the Department of Immigration.
Nationals of certain countries are required to acquire visas prior to their arrival from Nepalese Diplomatic missions (Embassies/consulates) in their respective countries. These countries include Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Syria, and refugees with travel documents.
Here’s a step-by-step guide for obtaining a Tourist Visa on Arrival at the airport (TIA) if you haven’t obtained a visa before boarding the plane:
For visa extensions, tourists can apply for a minimum extension of 15 days for a fee of USD 45, with an additional USD 3 per day for extra days. In case of delays up to 150 days, an additional USD 5 per day is charged as a late fine.
The on-arrival visa application process is very quick and easy. During the busiest tourist season, you can anticipate some lines. If you live in the UAE and would prefer to avoid those lines, you might think about obtaining a visa from one of Nepal’s diplomatic missions stationed abroad before travelling there. You must enter Nepal within six months of the date your visa was issued if you obtained it from one of the diplomatic missions in Nepal. Your entire stay begins on the day you enter Nepal. Tourist visas are “on arrival” visas. They have numerous re-entry facilities. The only type of entry visa for Nepal is a “Tourist Visa On Arrival.” A resident of the UAE may travel to Nepal for reasons other than tourism, such as sightseeing, tours, travel, mountaineering, trekking, and visiting friends and family, but you still need a “Tourist Visa” to enter the country. However, you must provide the necessary documentation to the Department of Immigration to change the category of visa according to your intended use and duration of stay in Nepal.
Cultures
Nepal is home to more than 35 distinct ethnic groups, each with its own language, culture, holidays, and aesthetic preferences. For example, the Newar people, who were the first to settle in the Kathmandu Valley, continue to speak Newari, also known as Nepali Bhasa, and observe their own holidays, such as Swanti, a lavish five-day festival that emphasises the value of women in the home. By visiting Nepal, you have the wonderful chance to venture outside of your comfort zone and fully experience its distinctive cultures.
Historical sites
Art, history, and architecture enthusiasts should visit Nepal for the fascinating UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites of Lumbini and the Kathmandu Valley. A delightful and enlightening experience can also be had by travelling to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The Kathmandu Valley is filled with stunning Buddhist monasteries, stupas, and numerous mediaeval temples.
Friendly people
The people of Nepal are incredibly warm and welcoming. They always make an effort to make you feel welcome and view guests as gods. When you ask for help, they always offer you tea and help. The friendliness of the Nepali people can be attested to by a friend who has visited the country. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that there is a proverb to the effect that even though you come to Nepal for the mountains, you stay for the people.
Nepali cuisine
The diversity of Nepal’s geography and culture is a factor in the country’s abundance of food. Despite receiving a lot of inspiration from its neighbours, China and India, Nepal’s cuisine still has its own unique characteristics. Dal bhat, the national dish of Nepal, is served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in almost every restaurant and is made with lentils, rice, and curried vegetables. Momo, or Nepalese dumplings, are a common snack that can be found on almost every street corner and are definitely worth trying several times. It is typically served with a tomato-based sauce and can be filled with a variety of vegetables and meats. Additionally delicious are chatamari, aloo tama, dheedo, and other well-known Nepali dishes.
Adventures
Compared to Arkansas in the United States, Nepal might appear small on a map of the world, but due to its incredibly diverse topography, which includes the highest mountain in the world (Mt. Everest), as well as the deepest gorge in the world (Kali Gandaki Gorge), it can be a haven for adventurers. Eight of the world’s ten highest mountains are found in Nepal, which is well known for its mountain trekking. The most well-known trekking destinations include Mustang, Manaslu, Langtang, and Annapurna Base Camp. Along with trekking, you can try a number of exhilarating activities like skydiving, hot air ballooning, paragliding, snow skiing, bungee jumping, mountain biking, rock climbing, and water rafting.
Incredible wildlife
Wildlife lovers should travel to Nepal, where the Chitwan National Park, which has been designated by UNESCO, is the most well-known park. In the lowlands, you can see many different animals, such as Royal Bengal tigers, wild elephants, deer, monkeys, one-horned rhinos, crocodiles, leopards, sloth bears, and up to 544 different species of birds. Red pandas, blue sheep, snow leopards, and yaks can all be expected in the highlands.
Become peaceful
Despite its modest wealth, Nepal is the perfect destination for anyone seeking peace. Even going to Nepal is a journey towards inner peace. It provides all the conveniences of advanced societies in a charming, relaxed setting. Even a leisurely stroll through Kathmandu’s Thamel neighbourhood can help you escape the tranquilly of the countryside. Pokhara, a lakeside city, is a wonderful place to unwind where you can enjoy the fresh air, the serene lake, or the alluring snow-capped mountains.
Get excellent value for your money.
Nepal is a fantastic choice for travellers on a tight budget because it was named the best value destination by Lonely Planet. There are many affordable places to stay, and most restaurants have reasonable prices. The value of treks is comparable to that of the Kilimanjaro or Inca Trails.
Kathmandu
Annapurna Circuit
Bhaktapur
Patan
Pokhara
Chitwan National Park
Khumbu
Nagarkot
Janakpur
Lumbini