UK Visitor Visa for Nepalese Citizens
Nepalese citizens are visa nationals and must get a UK Standard Visitor visa before they travel. This guide covers the £135 fee, financial evidence, sponsor and invitation letters for family visits, VFS biometrics in Kathmandu, and refusal reasons.
- Section
- Visitor Visa
- Reading time
- 9 min
- Last checked
- 2 September 2026
- Source
- The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
- Rowan does not
- Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.
In short
- Nepalese citizens are visa nationals and must apply before travelling.
- The Standard Visitor visa is £135 for up to 6 months in 2026.
- No tuberculosis test is needed for a visit of up to 6 months.
- Give biometrics at the VFS centre in Kathmandu.
- Sponsor and invitation letters are common for family visits.
Nepalese passport holders need a UK Standard Visitor visa to visit the UK. The visa costs £135 for up to 6 months in 2026. This guide explains who needs the visa, the financial evidence and documents you need, how invitation and sponsor letters work for family visits, and how to apply through VFS in Kathmandu.
Do Nepalese Citizens Need a UK Visitor Visa?
Yes. Nepal is a visa national country. This means Nepalese passport holders must apply for a UK Standard Visitor visa before they travel. You cannot enter the UK as a visitor without one. This is different from countries like the United States, whose citizens do not need a visitor visa.
You apply online and then give your biometrics in person. You should be granted the visa before you book final travel. For the full overview, see our UK Visitor visa guide.
What You Can and Cannot Do as a Visitor
A Standard Visitor visa lets you do many things. You can:
- Visit family and friends
- Come as a tourist
- Attend a business meeting or conference
- Take a short course of up to 6 months
There are firm limits. You cannot work for a UK employer, do paid or unpaid work, or claim public funds. You also cannot live in the UK through frequent or back-to-back visits. See our work restrictions guide for full detail.
The £135 Fee in 2026
The Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for a stay of up to 6 months in 2026. You pay this when you apply online. Long-term visitor visas cost more — £506 for 2 years, £903 for 5 years and £1,128 for 10 years — but each visit is still limited to 6 months.
Fees can change. Always check the current price on GOV.UK before you apply. See our visitor visa cost guide.
Financial Evidence
You must show you can pay for your trip and that you have a settled financial life in Nepal. Provide:
- Bank statements: the last 6 months, showing regular income and a steady balance
- Payslips: recent payslips that match your bank deposits
- Employment letter: confirming your job, salary, and approved leave dates
- Business papers: registration documents if you are self-employed
Avoid large deposits that you cannot explain. The Home Office wants to see a steady pattern, not a one-off balance. For a full breakdown, see our financial evidence guide.
Sponsor and Invitation Letters for Family Visits
Many Nepalese visits are to see family in the UK. A family member or friend can write an invitation letter to support your application. The letter should include:
- Their name, address, and immigration status in the UK
- How they know you and your relationship
- The dates and reason for your visit
- Whether they will pay for or host your stay
If your UK sponsor offers to cover your costs, they can add their own bank statements and proof of income. A sponsor helps, but you must still meet the visitor rules yourself. See our invitation letter guide.
Documents You Need
Along with financial evidence, prepare these documents:
- A current passport with a blank page
- Your travel dates and a simple itinerary
- Proof of where you will stay
- Return or onward travel plans
See our documents guide for a full checklist.
How to Apply and Give Biometrics
You apply online on GOV.UK and pay the fee. After that, you book an appointment at the VFS Global visa application centre in Kathmandu to give your fingerprints and photo.
Processing Times
- Standard: a decision usually takes 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK
- Priority: £500, for a decision usually within 5 working days, where the service is available
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel. See our processing time guide.
Do You Need a Tuberculosis Test?
No, not for a visit. Nepal is on the UK list of countries where a tuberculosis test is needed, but the test only applies if you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more — for example on some study or family routes. A visit of up to 6 months does not need one. See our tuberculosis test guide.
Common Refusal Reasons
Applications are most often refused when:
- Financial evidence is weak or hard to verify
- Your reasons to return to Nepal look weak
- Your travel plans are vague or do not add up
- The application has gaps or mistakes
Prepare carefully to avoid these. See our refusal reasons guide and the full requirements guide.
Next Steps
Related guides:
Questions and answers
Do Nepalese citizens need a visa to visit the UK?
Yes. Nepal is a visa national country, so Nepalese passport holders must apply for and be granted a UK Standard Visitor visa before they travel. You cannot enter the UK as a visitor without it.
How much does the UK Visitor visa cost for Nepalese applicants in 2026?
The Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for a stay of up to 6 months in 2026. You pay this when you apply online. Check the current fee on GOV.UK before you apply, as fees can change.
Do Nepalese visitors need a tuberculosis test?
No. Nepal is on the UK list of countries where a tuberculosis test is needed, but the test only applies if you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more. A visit of up to 6 months does not need one.
Where do Nepalese applicants give their biometrics?
You book an appointment at the VFS Global visa application centre in Kathmandu. There you give your fingerprints and a photo. You apply online first, then attend the centre.
Can a family member in the UK sponsor my visit?
Yes. A family member or friend in the UK can write an invitation letter and offer to support your stay. This is common for family visits. The letter helps but you must still show you meet the visitor rules yourself.
This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.