China exempts visa fees for Nepali nationals

April 29, Kathmandu: China has decided to exempt visa fees for Nepali nationals.

The Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu announced that from May 1, 2024, Nepali nationals will no longer be charged a visa fee.

Nepal has been offering the same facility to Chinese citizens since 2016. This decision was made after an agreement was reached during the visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayankaji Shrestha to China in March.

Express fees and services, however, will remain unchanged. Nepali tourism entrepreneurs have long been advocating for visa-free entry for Nepalis.

A total of 12,093 Chinese tourists came to Nepal in March. The number was 9,180 in February and 1,436 in January.

In the year 2023, altogether 60,878 Chinese tourists visited Nepal. Before the coronavirus pandemic, the highest number of Chinese tourists visiting Nepal was in 2019 which stood at 169,543.