Is It Safe to Travel to Nepal in 2026?
Nepal - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is mainly situated in the Himalayas, but also includes parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
Is It Safe to Travel to Nepal in 2026?
Nepal is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. The nationwide demonstrations that began in September 2025 have stopped, and the security situation is stable. However, demonstrations and local unrest can still happen, particularly in cities, and may quickly turn violent.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- civil_unrest
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers may encounter sudden demonstrations that can escalate quickly into violence, particularly in urban areas like Kathmandu; staying away from crowds is essential.
Business travelers may face disruptions due to potential civil unrest and limited emergency services, which could impact meetings and travel schedules.
Families with children should be cautious due to the risk of civil unrest and limited healthcare access outside major cities, where pediatric care may be inadequate.
Remote workers can find decent connectivity in urban centers, but should be prepared for potential disruptions due to civil unrest and limited emergency services.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Nepal.
Regional Safety Breakdown
▶Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution1 region
▶Nepal
Advisory level decreased to 2 due to improved security situation.
Nepal has 1 distinct regions with varying advisory levels. Risk conditions differ significantly by area.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Nepal has an overall threat severity of 4.0 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 4.0/10, terrorism risk 0.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Partly Free — scored 62/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
Nepalese Rupee (NPR)
Language
Nepali
Notable restrictions:
- Medical treatment of foreigners is not paid for by the Government of Nepal.
Vaccinations
Recommended:
⚠ Malaria Risk: moderate
Recommended medications: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine
Active health notices:
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Nepal
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Nepal?
▶Is it safe to travel to Nepal right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Nepal?
▶What vaccines do I need for Nepal?
▶Is Nepal safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Nepal?
More Nepal Data
Partly Free — 62/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.