A Nepalese visa is valid for 3 - 6 months from date of issue. The validity of visa dates are counted from the the date of arrival in Nepal.  You can find visa application forms in the arrivals hall at Kathmandu airport (or other major entry points), Visa can be obtained by visiting the Nepal Consulate office or by sending all required documents by mail to their office.

A 30 day multiple visa costs $85AUD and a 90 day multiple entry visa costs $175AUD. You can exchange a single entry visa for a multiple entry visa at Kathmandu's Central Immigration Office for $50US. You can pay this fee with local currency but at the border entry points you will be requested to pay in US dollars. 

It's also possible to extend your visa. You can do this at the Immigration Office in Pokhara or Kathmandu. Costs for extending a single entry visa by 30 days is $30. Extending a multiple entry visa will cost $80US. Processing your visa extension usually takes no more than a couple of hours.

For up to date information on visas, check the Embassy of Nepal visa information page. Before you leave, it's handy to make a couple of photocopies of your passport and leave these behind with friends or family. Also take a couple of copies in your luggage. Should you be so unlucky as to lose your passport it'll make all the paperwork a lot easier.

If you're planning on venturing out into the mountains on a trek you'll need to apply for a trekking permit. By issuing these permits the Nepalese immigration office can monitor the number of people out on a trek at that time. Permits are arranged by our local agents and the costs are included in your land itinerary.

Annapurna region: you will need a passport size photo alongside your application forms which you will need to fill out in Kathmandu.

Everest region: You can apply for a permit at the beginning of your trek. You won't need a passport photo for this.

Cash Machines
The mainstream banks in Kathmandu and Pokhara all have a cash machine where you fill your wallet 24 hours a day using your normal bankcard or Mastercard / Visa. Smaller banks such as the Himalaya Bank also have cash machines, though we would recommend only using these machines during bank opening hours so as not to run the risk of losing your card if the system crashes.

Credit Cards
Major credit cards are generally accepted in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Standard Chartered Bank and several smaller banks such as Nabil Bank and the Himalaya Bank will give an advance in rupees on your Mastercard or Visa. It's wise to carry some US dollars and rupees in small denomination notes in the smaller towns where you can't use your credit card.

Travellers Cheques
You can purchase Travellers Cheques at 1% or 2% commission. Both American and European Travellers Cheques are widely accepted at most major banks in the smaller towns. The good thing about Travellers Cheques is that in the event of loss you will receive new cheques within 24 hours.

Tips
Tipping in Nepal is customary and much appreciated. In the cheaper hotels 5% or some loose change is sufficient, in the more expensive places 10% is customary.