Ways to live in Nepal
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Residence permit Residence permits →
Non-tourist visa
For foreigners coming for purposes other than tourism (approved work, study, volunteering, family, research), with a recommendation from the relevant Nepali body. Not a route for remote work for foreign clients.
- What you need
- Recommendation letter from the relevant ministry, department or institution in Nepal.
- How long
- Extendable only at the Department of Immigration, up to 1 year at a time (business visas excepted)
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Department of Immigration, Kathmandu
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| Room in a shared flat | $80 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat | $200 |
| Two-bedroom flat | $300 |
| Bills | $30 |
| Typical local salary | $220 |
Some of these figures are estimates; treat them as a rough guide.
Cities to consider
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Kathmandu Valley is full of stupas, courtyards and old Newar towns, while lakeside Pokhara is the relaxed base for trekking. Dal bhat, momos and festivals fill the calendar, and the mountains are never far.
Day to day
Buses and short flights link cities, but roads are slow and winding. Private hospitals in Kathmandu cover routine care. Cash is still widely used. English works in tourism, and Nepali helps everywhere else.
Trade-offs
Kathmandu has heavy dust and air pollution. Power and water supply can be irregular, and monsoon landslides cut roads. The country sits in an active earthquake zone.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United StatesVOA · 90 d
United KingdomVOA · 90 d
AustraliaVOA · 90 d
CanadaVOA · 90 d
New ZealandVOA · 90 d
SwitzerlandVOA · 90 d
NorwayVOA · 90 d
SingaporeVOA · 90 d
JapanVOA · 90 d
South KoreaVOA · 90 d
IsraelVOA · 90 d
United Arab EmiratesVOA · 90 d
Hong KongVOA · 90 d
South AfricaVOA · 90 d
MexicoVOA · 90 d
BrazilVOA · 90 d
Questions
Does Nepal have a digital nomad visa?
Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.
How can I move to Nepal?
The routes we have checked are: Residence permit.
When was this information checked?
The residence routes for Nepal were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
Sources and last check
Residence routes for Nepal were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
- Nepal Tourism Board: Tourist visa
- Embassy of Nepal in Moscow: Visa
- Department of Immigration, Nepal
- https://www.immigration.gov.np/
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
