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Travel Advisory Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution Travel Advisory Level 2: Last Update: Reissued with updates to health information. Read More...
COVID-19 Information 
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23 MINUTE READ
January 10, 2023

The CDC’s Order requiring proof of vaccination for non-U.S. citizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect.  For more information see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers.

Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

For additional information or if you have specific questions, please contact your airline and visit the CDC’s website.

For information about vaccine availability in Nepal, please contact the Nepal Ministry of Health and Population.

Actions to Take:

  • Monitor the CDC website for the latest guidance regarding testing requirements.
  • Check with your air carriers or travel representative prior to departure for the United States.
  • Check COVID-19 Country Specific Information pages for updated information on COVID-19 related to the availability of testing.
  • Visit travel.state.gov to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security.
  • Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
  • Click here for our Travel to the U.S. FAQs.

Assistance:

Entry and Exit Requirements: 

  • Are there COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens? [Yes]  
    • Travelers entering Nepal from abroad by air or land must submit a certificate of full vaccination against COVID-19.  Travelers are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving the last recommended dose of vaccine prior to arrival in Nepal.  A booster dose is not needed to meet this requirement.  Travelers who are fully vaccinated must carry their official vaccination certificate and be prepared to show it immediately upon disembarkation and at the further request of Government of Nepal officials.
    • Travelers who are unable to provide such certificate must present a negative COVID-19 test report taken within 72 hours of departure from the port of embarkment.  Vaccine card/covid test will not be mandatory for children below 5 years of age.
    • The Department of Immigration rescinded all previously issued orders regarding country-specific travel limitations as of March 10, 2022.   All travelers regardless of vaccine status can receive on-arrival visas at the port of entry.  Amendments to existing orders and new orders may be promulgated with little notice.  Please continue to monitor this space and local media for additional information.
    • The latest notice on travel advisory for Nepal is available from the Department of Immigration .
    • Further information is available from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation .
  • Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? [No]    
    • Fully vaccinated travelers do not need COVID-19 testing, if not fully vaccinated, you must obtain a negative PCR test not more than 72 hours before your flight of first departure to enter Nepal and should then be able to obtain a visa on arrival.
    • Travelers departing Nepal by air are subject to health protocols of their destination country only.  Airlines will consult and apply such protocols before boarding passengers.
    • The airlines are responsible for ensuring each passengers have the tests as per requirement of destined country.  Please consult with your airlines prior to your arrival and departure from Nepal.  Please check with your airline regarding future flight availability and any necessary flight re-bookings. Operation of cargo flights, rescue flights, and evacuation flights will be carried out subject to special permission.
  • Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? [Yes]

    • All symptomatic travelers may be subject to on-arrival COVID-19 testing.

Quarantine Information 

  • Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? [No] 
    • Quarantine is no longer required for travelers regardless of their vaccine status.  However, travelers who are subject to COVID-19 testing and who test positive for COVID-19 on arrival may not be permitted entry into Nepal, per the latest travel advisory.

COVID-19 Testing: 

  • PCR and/or antigen tests are available locally for U.S. citizens and test results are reliably available within 48 hours, most within 24 hours if paying expedite fees.
  • Several government designated hospitals offer COVID-19 testing. Individuals must pay the cost of testing, except where local laws exempt charging for tests.
  • Hospitals offering tests include: Star Hospital, Sanepa Heights Road, Lalitpur, (01) 555-0197; HAMS, Mandikhatar, Kathmandu, (01) 437-7404; Siddhi Poly Path Laboratory, Dillibazaar, Kathmandu, (01) 441-0604; Patan Hospital; Bhaktapur Hospital; Teaching Hospital; Teku Hospital; Bir Hospital; Prasuti Griha; Nepal Korea Friendship Hospital; Civil Hospital; KMC Hospital; A.P.F. Hospital; Birendra Hospital; and Nepal Police Hospital.
  • Physical evidence of test results (paper copies) is available from these testing locations. NB: Air travelers departing Nepal should be prepared to provide a paper copy of COVID test results.
  • For additional information on COVID Testing, please see: NPHL | Pages.
  • For information on limited humanitarian exemptions, please review the following page:   https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-testing-required-us-entry.html.

 COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

  • Are vaccines available in Nepal for U.S. citizens to receive? [Yes]  
    • COVID-19 Vaccines are available to Americans living in Nepal, per local distribution rules.
    • Please note that the U.S. Embassy-Kathmandu does NOT provide vaccines to American residents or travelers, nor can it mandate that vaccines be made available to Americans on the local market.
    • The United States Government continues to work with other countries to ensure that all citizens, including, U.S. citizens abroad, can receive vaccinations through local vaccine programs and in accordance with national vaccination plans. Please refer to: COVID-19 Vaccine Information for U.S. Citizens.
    • The Government of Nepal has approved several WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccines for use locally and is in the process of approving additional vaccines as they are made available.
    • Please check with the Ministry of Health and local ward offices for the latest information on vaccine availability.
    • For information on vaccine availability in the Kathmandu Valley, please check (Nepali): Information from the CDC regarding COVID-19 vaccination     .
    • A Government of Nepal-issued vaccination card is internationally recognized. The Nepali vaccine card can be translated and verified with QR code here: https://vaccine.mohp.gov.np/     .

Local Resources: 

Nepal Ministry of Health and Population     or Facebook at Ministry of Health and Population-Nepal – Home | Facebook      

Ministry of Health and Population COVID-19 Hotline Local Telephone Numbers: 9851255839; 9851255837; 9851255834 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Infectious Disease Hospital (Teku) Hospital at info@istidh.org and the National Health Public Health Laboratory at nphl@nphl.gov.np for patient testing and quarantine

Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu: https://www.tiairport.com.np/

Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal’s published list of international departures from Nepal. CAAN – International Schedule (caanepal.gov.np)

Other Travel Related Links:

COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov

Visit the Customs and Border Protection’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.

CDC page on COVID-19

Consular Operations: 

American Citizens: Please refer to the U.S. Citizen Services webpage for current updates about appointments. Additional questions may be directed to the consular section by U.S. Embassy Consular Information & Service MS Form: or through the Embassy main phone number at +977 (01) 423-4000.

Visas: For current updates on the Embassy’s visa operations, please refer to our visa information page.

U.S. Embassy Kathmandu provides security updates on state.gov     and Embassy Kathmandu’s website and send out alerts to all travelers enrolled in STEP.

For more information about how the Embassy supports citizens during a crisis, please refer to:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/what-state-dept-can-cant-do-crisis.html.

Movement Restrictions:

    • There is no restriction for movement within Nepal.  Local and private transportation are easily available.
    • The government has announced that certain trekking routes have been opened.  Contact the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation for current information.

Transportation Options:

    • Commercial flights are operating to/from Nepal.
    • All domestic flights have also resumed.
    • Travelers are allowed to transit/transfer at Tribhuvan International Airport
    • When traveling internationally from Nepal, a PCR negative test may be required depending on the entry requirements of your final destination. Please check with your airline for more information.
    • If a PCR negative test is required by your final destination, passengers are requested to carry one additional copy of the PCR negative test report that includes a photograph along with them while travelling.
    • Additional information on flights is available through the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. CAAN – Home (caanepal.gov.np) Passengers should check the website for their airline and destination country for updated information.
    • Public transportation, including taxis, in Kathmandu Valley has resumed and travelers.  Long distance buses may be operating in some areas of the country. Additional restrictions remain possible in many locations. Check local conditions before travelling.

Alerts, U.S. Citizen Services