Permits & Rules

Free Nepal visa for Chinese travellers in 2026 — and the one-week way to see Everest

Chinese passport holders still get a gratis visa on arrival in Nepal in 2026. Paired with the new direct Shenzhen flight, a short Himalayan trip has never been simpler.

Ama Dablam and the Everest View trail near Namche, Nepal
Ama Dablam and the Everest View trail near Namche, Nepal

For Chinese travellers weighing a Himalayan trip, Nepal quietly removes the two biggest hassles: the visa is free, and — as of June 2026 — there is now a direct flight from Shenzhen. Put together, a short, spectacular Nepal trip is more achievable than most people realise.

Key facts for Chinese travellers

  • Chinese nationals receive a gratis (free) visa on arrival in 2026
  • New direct Kathmandu–Shenzhen flight launched June 2026 (twice weekly)
  • You can see the Everest range on a one-week trek
  • Visa is issued on arrival at Kathmandu airport — bring a passport photo

The visa: free, and on arrival

Most nationalities pay for a Nepal visa on arrival — USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, USD 125 for 90 days. Chinese passport holders are treated differently: the visa fee is waived entirely. You still complete the simple on-arrival process at Tribhuvan International Airport, but you pay nothing for the visa itself.

Nepal visa-on-arrival fees (2026)
DurationStandard feeChinese nationals
15 daysUSD 30Free
30 daysUSD 50Free
90 daysUSD 125Free

See Everest in a week

You do not need a fourteen-day expedition to stand among the Himalaya. The Everest View Trek reaches the famous Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar and the Tengboche monastery ridge, with jaw-dropping views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam — in about a week from Kathmandu. It is ideal for time-poor, photography-loving travellers who want the mountains without committing to base camp. With the new Shenzhen connection, travellers from Guangdong and the Pearl River Delta can now slot this into a short break.

What this means for you

Land in Kathmandu, get your free visa, and be in the high Himalaya within days. A one-week Everest View trek, a Poon Hill sunrise, or a Kathmandu–Pokhara loop all fit comfortably into a short holiday. We arrange a Mandarin-friendly experience, the domestic flights and the permits — you bring the camera.

Source: Embassy of Nepal, Beijing; Department of Immigration, Nepal.

Cover photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).

Source: Embassy of Nepal, Beijing

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