Visa Process for Foreign Speakers or Attendees
Nepal offers a straightforward visa process for most international visitors, including speakers and attendees at events like WordCamp Bharatpur 2025. The primary option is a tourist visa on arrival, available at major entry points such as Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu or land borders. This applies to citizens of most countries (over 100 nationalities are eligible), but exemptions exist for Indians (who need only a valid ID like a passport or voter ID, no visa required) and some SAARC nationals.
Key requirements and steps:
- Documents needed: A passport valid for at least 6 months from your entry date, one passport-sized photo, and proof of onward/return travel (though not always strictly checked).
- Application: Fill out the online visa form (pre-submittable via the official immigration website) or use kiosks at the airport/border. Pay the fee in cash (USD or NPR; cards sometimes accepted but cash is reliable).
- Visa durations and fees (as of 2025): 15 days (~$30 USD), 30 days (~$50 USD), or 90 days (~$125 USD). Multiple entries are possible for longer stays.
- Process time: Typically 15-45 minutes at the airport; apply early to avoid queues.
- Alternatives: If ineligible for on-arrival (e.g., certain nationalities like Chinese or Nigerians must apply in advance), obtain a visa from a Nepalese embassy/consulate abroad or apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online. For event-specific invitations, contact the event organizers or Nepal Tourism Board for support letters if needed.
Tips: Confirm eligibility via the official Department of Immigration site before travel. Overstaying incurs fines. For U.S. citizens and similar, it’s visa on arrival with no prior application needed. Always check for updates closer to November 2025, as policies can change.
Routes and Convenient Ways to Reach the Venue
The venue, Diyalo Foodland Chitwan, is located at Bikram Marga, Bharatpur, Chitwan District, Nepal (about 1.4 km from Bharatpur city center and 1.7 km from Bharatpur Airport). It’s in a convenient spot near the Narayani River and Chitwan National Park, with free parking and easy access via local taxis or rideshares. Bharatpur is the gateway to Chitwan, roughly 150 km southwest of Kathmandu.
By Plane (Most Convenient for International Travelers)
- International to Nepal: Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA/KTM) in Kathmandu, the main hub with direct flights from major Indian cities (e.g., Delhi, Mumbai), Europe, and beyond.
- Domestic to Venue: From KTM, take a short 20-30 minute flight to Bharatpur Airport (BHR/VNBP), operated by airlines like Buddha Air or Yeti Airlines (fares ~$50-100 USD one-way). From BHR, it’s a quick 5-10 minute taxi ride (under 2 km) to the venue—arrange via hotel or apps like Pathao.
- From India Specifically: Direct flights from Delhi or other Indian airports to KTM (1-2 hours), then connect domestically. Total time: 4-6 hours plus transit. No direct international flights to BHR.
- Alternative: Fly to Pokhara (PKR) if combining with tourism, then bus (3-4 hours) to Chitwan.
By Train (From India, Overland Option)
No direct trains into Nepal due to terrain, but you can train within India to border towns, then cross by bus/jeep.
- Popular Route from India: Take a train from major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, or Gorakhpur to Raxaul (Bihar, near India-Nepal border; ~14-16 hours from Kolkata/Delhi, fares ~$10-20 USD). From Raxaul, cross the open border (no formal checks for most, but carry passport), then take a bus or shared jeep to Bharatpur/Chitwan (4-6 hours, ~$10-15 USD via Sunauli-Bardibas highway).
- From Gorakhpur: Train to Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), then bus/jeep to Sunauli border (1 hour), followed by bus to Chitwan (5-7 hours total from border).
- Total Time from India: 1-2 days overland, cheaper but longer (~$30-50 USD total). Buses from Kathmandu to Chitwan (5-8 hours, ~$10 USD) are frequent, if you are arriving into KTM first.
Tips: Roads can be bumpy, opt for tourist buses (e.g., via Greenline or Tourist Bus Services). From the venue, local transport is easy—taxis or mototaxis or online services cost ~$1-2 USD for short trips.
Other Options
- Bus from Kathmandu: Direct AC buses (5-6 hours, departing early morning).
- Driving: Possible from India via borders, but roads are winding; rent a car in Kathmandu if experienced.
- Book flights/buses via apps like redBus or airline sites; confirm schedules as domestic flights can be weather-dependent.
Current Political Status (as of November 2025)
Nepal’s political landscape remains stable overall for tourists, with no major disruptions expected for the WordCamp event in Chitwan. In September 2025, Nepal saw Gen Z-led protests in Kathmandu over economic issues, youth employment, and governance, which turned violent on September 8-9, causing some deaths, injuries, and temporary closures (e.g., flights, trails). These were largely confined to the capital and have since been resolved, with the government addressing demands and tourism resuming fully by mid-September.
In Chitwan/Bharatpur: Unaffected by protests; wildlife safaris, hotels, and local events continue normally. The region is peaceful, focused on tourism and agriculture.
Safety for Tourists: Nepal is considered safe for visitors in October-November 2025, with the Nepal Tourism Board actively reassuring travelers via social media and advisories. Common risks include petty crime, traffic accidents, and natural hazards (e.g., mosquito’s in Terai plains like Chitwan—use repellents), but no widespread unrest. International advisories (e.g., U.S. Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to potential civil unrest) are improving, and sources like Australia and the EU note normal operations outside Kathmandu.
Recommendations: Monitor official advisories (e.g., your government’s travel site), avoid protests if any arise, and register with your embassy. Chitwan’s tropical setting is low-risk for political issues—focus on standard precautions like secure valuables and health prep (vaccinations for hep A, typhoid).
For event-specific queries, please reach out to organizers via the WordCamp site. Safe travels!