May 01, Kathmandu - Citizens of Portugal and several other countries seeking to visit Nepal can now apply for visas directly through the Nepali Embassy in Lisbon, as the visa services officially commenced on April 20, 2026.

In just ten days since the launch, six Portuguese nationals have secured visas to travel to Nepal, according to Ambassador Prakash Mani Paudel. Notably, Portugal's State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr. Ana Isabel Xavier, was the first to obtain a visa from the Nepali Embassy in Lisbon.

Dr. Xavier is currently in Kathmandu on an official invitation from the Government of Nepal, staying from April 29 for three days. Besides her, the other visa recipients include three Portuguese nationals and two individuals of Nepali origin who have acquired Portuguese citizenship.

The initiation of visa services at the Nepali Embassy in Lisbon marks a significant step toward easing travel for citizens of countries outside India, as Nepal traditionally doesn't require visas for Indian nationals. This new service will especially benefit Nepali-origin foreigners and European citizens who have renounced their Nepali citizenship.

Rambabu Nepal, First Secretary at the Nepali Embassy, explained that travelers can now apply for visas online, specifying their purpose of visit. “While arrival visas are available for Nepali citizens, foreigners can now obtain their visas here beforehand to reduce paperwork and processing time upon arrival,” he said.

According to official estimates, there are about 59,000 Nepalis registered in Portugal, with the actual number believed to exceed 75,000, including those with temporary or permanent residence permits, Nepali citizens who have renounced their nationality, and Nepali-origin foreigners who have acquired Portuguese citizenship. Exact figures of Nepalis holding Portuguese nationality are currently unavailable.

Nepali nationals who have given up their citizenship will need a visa to re-enter Nepal, but now they can process this directly at the embassy rather than at Tribhuvan International Airport. Since the visa service has just started, there is a call for Nepali-origin foreigners to apply for visas before traveling.

The embassy offers visas valid for more than 15 days up to a maximum of 90 days. Fees are approximately 5,300 NPR (30 Euros) for 15 days, 8,800 NPR (50 Euros) for 30 days, and around 22,000 NPR (125 Euros) for 90 days. These can be obtained online or via postal application, with no fee for children under 10, foreign nationals of Nepali origin with proof of nationality, or Chinese citizens. Citizens from SAARC countries (except Afghanistan) will also get 30-day visas free of charge for the first time.

However, Nepal does not grant arrival visas to citizens of 12 countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Eswatini, Somalia, Liberia, Iraq, Ethiopia, Palestine, Syria, and Afghanistan.