Nepal’s Immigration Department Approves 1,865 ETAs Out of 29,796 Applications, Including U.S. Citizens—Here’s Why.

Over a year has passed since Nepal’s Department of Immigration introduced the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, designed to streamline the visa process for foreign nationals. This initiative allows tourists to apply for visas online from anywhere in the world, aiming to eliminate the need to visit Nepali embassies or endure long queues at airports.

Yet, despite its potential, the system’s effectiveness has been questioned, as revealed in an interview with Anup Neupane, Director of the Information Technology Section at the Department of Immigration. Additionally, specific guidance for U.S. citizens and details about the ETA process shed further light on its implementation and challenges.

Since its inception, the Department of Immigration has received 29,796 ETA applications but has directly approved only 1,865. Meanwhile, Nepali embassies and missions abroad have processed a significant number of ETA applications, totaling 12,069 approvals, which travelers use to enter Nepal. Unlike in the past, embassies no longer issue physical visa stickers, relying entirely on the ETA system. However, the low approval rate at the department level has sparked concerns about the system’s efficiency.

According to Neupane, the absence of an international card payment facility is the main obstacle. Applicants outside Nepal struggle to pay fees directly to the department, with the 1,865 approvals facilitated through travel agencies that handle revenue payments. This limitation has created a bottleneck in the process, undermining the ETA’s goal of convenience.

Launched to attract more tourists, the ETA has had mixed results. It has eliminated the need to send blank visa stickers to embassies, a cumbersome pre-ETA task. Travelers now arrive with ETA approvals, but Neupane notes that without online payment integration, the system falls short of its potential. “If we could offer this facility, it would be far more effective,” he says.

While formal tourist feedback is lacking, the ETA has removed the need for embassy visits and airport queues. Thailand leads in ETA usage, according to department records. Neupane believes that adding payment options would further boost its appeal to foreign visitors.

The department is working on online revenue collection, a process guided by the Office of the Comptroller General. “We are arranging for online revenue payments through ETA,” Neupane assures, though technical hurdles mean it will take time to implement fully.

For U.S. citizens planning to visit Nepal, obtaining an ETA before travel is recommended. It simplifies entry, ensuring a smoother experience upon arrival, according to Nepal Immigration. The ETA, electronically linked to the passport upon approval, serves as proof of authorization and may need to be presented to officials. It typically allows multiple entries within its validity period—up to six months—depending on regulations, as noted in FAQs from Nepali embassies.

For travelers from visa-on-arrival-eligible countries like the U.S., an ETA isn’t mandatory, but it expedites the process at immigration desks, offering significant convenience compared to past delays. The U.S. Department of State warns that obtaining a visa on arrival can take hours, with land travelers responsible for their own documentation. Non-compliance risks severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines.

The ETA itself is not a visa but converts into one upon arrival. Travelers present it—digitally or via their passport—at immigration, where it is scanned, verified, and transformed into a printed visa affixed to the passport. If the ETA expires before travel, a new one is required.

U.S. citizens crossing by land must carry new U.S. dollar bills (post-2003, in good condition) to pay visa fees, as credit cards and other currencies are not accepted. At land borders, 24-hour service is available for those on foot, though travelers from India should be prepared for cash-only payments.

The ETA allows applications at travelers’ convenience, a feature that could elevate Nepal’s tourism sector if paired with an efficient payment system. “If foreigners don’t need to visit embassies, it’ll encourage more visits to Nepal,” Neupane says. The department’s strategy involves fast-tracking online payments to make the ETA a seamless entry tool, potentially transforming Nepal’s appeal to global travelers.

Dipendra Dhungana additionally reported from Kathmandu, Nepal.