After four days of violent unrest in the capital, the Nepalese army regained control of Kathmandu on September 10, 2025, putting an end to a period of severe instability.
The clashes, which had led to a strict curfew and the suspension of flights, caused significant delays and disruptions for travelers.
The Tribhuvan International Airport reopened the same day, allowing domestic and international flights to gradually resume.
As a result, many tourists found themselves stranded in Nepal with visas that had expired or could not be extended.
Nepal announces exceptional visa regularization
On September 11, 2025, Nepal’s Department of Immigration (DoI) issued an official notice for foreign nationals affected by the crisis.
The administration stated that it was “very sensitive to the inconvenience caused to foreign nationals being unable to extend their visas due to the recent developments” and announced a simplified, free-of-charge visa regularization process.
Travelers whose visas were valid until September 8, 2025, and who must leave the country during the curfew period will be able to obtain visa regularization and exit permission free of charge. These procedures must be carried out directly at the immigration offices located at departure points, notably at Kathmandu International Airport.
Specific provisions also apply to foreigners who lost their passports during the events. For those who obtained a travel document or emergency passport from their embassy, “their visas will be transferred in accordance with existing regulations, and they will be granted visa regularization and exit permission from the concerned immigration office itself.”
Traveler assistance measures: Nepal Tourism Board mobilized
“In this time of uncertainty, we are concerned about the safety of our valued guests and visitors,” the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said in a statement released today.
To help travelers cope with the ongoing disruptions, the NTB, in coordination with private-sector partners, has launched a special free shuttle bus service starting September 11, 2025. The service aims to facilitate transportation for both domestic and international air passengers.
The shuttles will connect Tribhuvan International Airport to several key hotel zones across Kathmandu.
Three main routes have been established:
- Route 1: Tribhuvan International Airport → NAC → Newroad → Durbarmarg → Hotel Yak & Yeti → Thamel Chowk → Lainchour Chowk → Hotel Shanker → Ambassador → Tribhuvan International Airport
- Route 2: Tribhuvan International Airport → Gausala → Shifal → Bhagawatibahal → Hilton → Hotel Marriott → Durbarmarg → Hotel Radisson → Hotel Shangri-La → Narayan Gopal Chowk → Maharajganj Chowk → Hyatt Regency → Chabahil Chowk → Hotel Dwarika’s → Tribhuvan International Airport
- Route 3: Tribhuvan International Airport → Tinkune Chowk → Hotel Everest → Maitighar Chowk → Hotel Himalaya → St. Xavier’s School → Hotel Soaltee → Hotel Grand → Tribhuvan International Airport
The NTB also noted that this shuttle service can be used for humanitarian purposes, assisting travelers facing particular hardships during this exceptional period.
