Nepal is officially open to travelers inoculated with Covid-19 vaccines

Nepal on Thursday enforced new travel rules removing the quarantine requirements for foreign tourists who have got both doses of Covid-19 vaccine, in an attempt to give a boost to pandemic-depressed travel and tourism business.

According to new travel protocols, posted on the website of the Tourism Ministry on Thursday evening, vaccinated tourists entering Nepal have to submit a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test report from within 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin.

After they arrive in Nepal, they have to conduct another PCR test at their own cost and stay at the isolation in the hotel until the report is out.

“If the report is positive, they should, as per the rules, remain for further isolation in the hotel at their own costs,” says the new travel protocols that was passed by the Cabinet’s meeting on March 18.

With a negative PCR result they can continue on their tour.

Meanwhile, the government has resumed the on-arrival visa for tourists after a year.

However, for the foreigners, if they don’t have Nepali missions and embassies in their countries and are facing difficulties to obtain visas, they are allowed to apply for on-arrival visas at Kathmandu Tribhuvan international Airport.

On-arrival visas are not granted for tourists coming overland.

According to the new rules, tourists seeking on-arrival visas should submit at least four documents at the airlines check-in counters, before boarding the flight to Nepal: PCR negative report taken 72 hours prior to their departure, documents proving that they are vaccinated with full dose; a copy of a recommendation letter issued by the Nepal Tourism Board and Department of Tourism; proof of hotel booking in Nepal; and travel insurance covering emergency search and rescue and treatment throughout their travel in Nepal.