Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal · study
Study Visa (foreign students)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
For you if you are studying in Nepal: the Study Visa lets you live there for your course, issued by the Department of Immigration on a recommendation from the Ministry of Education.
- Processing time
- Indicative only. It depends on the Ministry of Education recommendation and your institution; confirm current timing on the official immigration.gov.np page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only. Visa fees apply; refer to the official page for current amounts.
- Typical duration
- Typically issued for up to a year at a time, in line with the recommendation or length of study, and renewable while you remain enrolled.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 1 June 2026, the Study Visa (foreign students) for Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is an unsponsored Nepal immigration route. Sources: official Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal government pages, reviewed 1 June 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/nepal/student-visa#answer
What is the Study Visa (foreign students) in Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal?
Study Visa (foreign students) is an unsponsored Nepal route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only. Visa fees apply; refer to the official page for current amounts; indicative processing time is Indicative only. It depends on the Ministry of Education recommendation and your institution; confirm current timing on the official immigration.gov.np page; typical duration is Typically issued for up to a year at a time, in line with the recommendation or length of study, and renewable while you remain enrolled. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
The Study Visa is for foreign students pursuing academic or non-academic study and research in Nepal. It is issued by the Department of Immigration on the recommendation of the line agency, the Ministry of Education, and is typically granted for up to a year at a time in line with the recommendation or the length of study. Good to know: your right to stay is tied to remaining enrolled, so it changes if your studies end. Confirm the current requirements on the official immigration.gov.np page.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓You are pursuing academic, non-academic or research study at a recognised institution in Nepal.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- ✓You obtain a recommendation from the line agency, the Ministry of Education.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- ✓You remain enrolled for the duration of your stay.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- ✓You apply at the Department of Immigration for the Study Visa.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
Common blockers
- !No recommendation from the Ministry of Education for your study.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- !Using the study route to take up employment, which it is not built for.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- !Stopping your studies, which changes the basis for your stay.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Valid passport and the completed application.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- ·Your admission or enrolment confirmation from the institution.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- ·The recommendation from the Ministry of Education.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- ·Any further documents the official page requests.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Secure your place at a recognised institution and confirm the study requirements.
Build the evidence pack
Obtain the recommendation from the Ministry of Education and gather your admission documents.
Submit through the official channel
Apply at the Department of Immigration for the Study Visa through the official channel.
After approval
After approval, keep your enrolment and visa valid and renew for the length of your course.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Study Visa (foreign students) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Study Visa (foreign students).
Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) · verified
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Related routes
Working (Non-Tourist) Visa
For you if you are taking up employment in Nepal: the Working Visa is the only visa that allows you to work, and it depends on a separate labour permit plus a recommendation from the relevant government ministry.
Relation (Dependent) Visa
For you if you have a close family member in Nepal: the Relation Visa lets relatives of a Nepali citizen, or dependents of certain visa holders, stay on the basis of the family relationship.
Residential Visa (long-stay, proof of income)
For you if you want to live in Nepal long term without doing business: the Residential Visa is a long-stay route that requires proof of income - but please read the honesty note, because it is not a settled-status or citizenship pathway.
Frequently asked questions
Who recommends my Study Visa?+
The Study Visa is issued by the Department of Immigration on the recommendation of the line agency, which is the Ministry of Education. So your admission to a recognised institution and that ministry recommendation are central to the application. Confirm exactly what is needed for your course on the official immigration.gov.np page.
Can I work while studying in Nepal?+
The Study Visa is built around your enrolment, not employment, so it does not authorise work on its own. Working in Nepal requires the Working (Non-Tourist) Visa with its labour permit and recommendations. If you want to take a job after studying, plan that route separately and confirm the current rules on the official page.
I'm finishing my studies in Nepal - how do I switch to a visa that lets me work?+
The Study Visa is built around your enrolment and does not authorise work, so to take a job you move onto the Working (Non-Tourist) Visa, which is the only visa that allows you to work in Nepal. That route is granted on the strength of a job or firm offer, a labour permit from the Department of Labour, and a recommendation from the relevant line ministry, applied for at the Department of Immigration. Plan it as a separate application and confirm the current steps on the official immigration.gov.np page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in NepalHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal)
Last checked: 1 June 2026