TIA Departure Checklist for Nepali Students (2026)

Your TIA departure checklist as a student is short. To leave Nepal from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the Department of Immigration lists three things: a passport valid for at least 6 months, a valid student visa from your destination country, and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. You do not need a labour permit to go abroad to study. The immigration officer may also ask about your education background, your course and how your studies are funded, so carry those papers in your hand luggage.

Last checked: 19 October 2026. The TIA Immigration Office’s departure page was last updated in March 2024; check for newer notices before you fly.

TIA departure checklist for Nepali students

This is what the TIA Immigration Office departure information page lists for Nepali citizens going abroad to study, plus documents that answer the questions it says officers may ask:

Document	Required or may be asked?	Notes
Passport valid for at least 6 months	Required	Check the expiry date now, not the week before you fly
Valid student visa for your destination	Required	F-1 visa, UK Student visa/eVisa, Australian subclass 500 grant, or Canadian study permit approval (port of entry letter plus visa if issued)
NOC from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology	Required	See our NOC for study abroad guide
Properly filled embarkation (departure) card	Required for all Nepali citizens	Fill it clearly and match your passport
Admission documents (I-20, CAS, CoE or letter of acceptance)	May be asked	Shows your course details
Academic certificates and transcripts	May be asked	Shows your education background
Fee receipts, scholarship or bank/loan documents	May be asked	Shows your financial arrangements
Boarding pass	Needed to board	Your departure must be stamped on it

Source: Department of Immigration, TIA Immigration Office departure information. “May be asked” items are our suggestions to answer the questions the page says officers may ask.

No labour permit for students

The Department of Immigration lists departure categories separately. The labour permit issued by the Government of Nepal is a requirement for the foreign employment category. For the study abroad category, the listed requirements are the passport, student visa and NOC. If you are travelling to study, don’t let anyone tell you that you need a labour permit or to pay for one.

The reverse is also true. Travel in the category that is true for you. Don’t book a ticket or describe your trip as a visit when you hold a student visa, and don’t list a different purpose on your embarkation card. If your visa is a student visa, you leave as a student. The officer will match your visa, NOC and admission letter.

What happens at the immigration counter

Check in with your airline and get your boarding pass. Your airline will check that you have the right visa for your destination and any transit stops.
Go to the Nepali citizens’ immigration counters. The TIA page lists counters 9 to 22 for Nepali citizens travelling for study, work or visits. Passengers over 70 or under 10 use counter 5.
Hand over your passport and embarkation card. Keep your visa, NOC and admission letter ready.
Answer questions simply and truthfully. Officers may ask where you are going, what you will study, and who is paying. Short, honest answers that match your documents are best. If you don’t understand a question, it is fine to ask the officer to repeat it, in Nepali if you prefer.
Check your stamps. The Department of Immigration says to make sure your departure is certified on both your boarding pass and your passport.
Go through security and on to your gate.

That departure stamp matters later. Nepal Police asks Nepalis abroad to upload the page with their last Nepal departure stamp when applying for a police clearance certificate. See our Nepal police clearance online guide.

How much foreign currency can you carry?

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal’s Aeronautical Information Publication (GEN 1.3) says that a passenger bringing in or taking out more than US$5,000 in cash must declare it at the customs office. That is about Rs 7.61 lakh (NRB selling rate, 17 Oct 2026, USD 1 = Rs 152.24).

A declaration rule is not the same as a permission to buy that much cash. How much foreign currency a student can buy from a bank, and on what documents, is set by Nepal Rastra Bank rules that we could not verify for this article. Ask your bank how much cash and how much on a prepaid card you can get against your student visa and I-20/CAS/CoE, and get a receipt. Most of your money should move as tuition payments and transfers through your bank, not as cash in your bag.

Note: the US$500 cash requirement on the TIA page applies to the tourism or visit category, not to students.

Customs on departure

The same CAAN publication says no customs formalities are normally required for departing passengers unless needed. It also lists items that cannot be exported, including:

Gold and silver
Precious stones
Wildlife products
Drugs
Antiques, and precious or semi-precious stones, need clearance and a certificate from the Department of Archaeology

Students often get gold jewellery as a gift before leaving. Given the export rule above, check with customs before you pack any. Also remember your destination’s customs rules: food, medicines and plant products are often restricted on arrival. Our packing list for Nepal to USA students covers what to take.

Health: the CAAN publication says health formalities on departure follow the destination country’s requirements. If your destination required a medical exam or TB test for your visa, keep the paperwork with you.

Your hand-luggage document folder

Keep one folder in your hand luggage with originals and copies. The officers at TIA and at your arrival airport may both ask to see things:

Passport (and your old passport if it holds a valid visa)
Visa or grant notice, and the port of entry letter for Canada
NOC from the Ministry of Education
I-20, CAS, CoE or letter of acceptance
Academic certificates and transcripts
Fee receipts, scholarship letter, and proof of funds
Health insurance details (see our health insurance guide)
Accommodation address and university contact
Printed tickets and boarding pass

Keep a scan of each item in your email or cloud storage too, and leave a copy with your family in Nepal. If a document goes missing on the way, a scan makes replacing it much easier.

Tip: put the documents in the order an officer is most likely to ask for them: passport, visa, NOC, admission letter, then money documents.

Common mistakes to avoid

No NOC. It is on the Department of Immigration’s list for students. Get it well before your flight.
Passport with under 6 months left. Renew early; see our Nepal e-passport guide.
Documents in checked baggage. Officers ask at the counter, not at the baggage belt.
Carrying large cash without declaring it. Over US$5,000 must be declared.
Not checking the stamp. Make sure your passport and boarding pass are stamped before you walk away.
Paying someone to “set” immigration. No one needs to. If your documents are genuine and match, you are ready.

What to do next

Two months before flying: check passport validity and apply for your NOC.
Two weeks before: ask your bank about foreign currency and cards for students.
One week before: build your hand-luggage document folder and print copies.
On the day: arrive early, go to counters 9 to 22, and check your stamps.

Frequently asked questions

What documents are required at Kathmandu airport for students?
The Department of Immigration lists a passport valid for at least 6 months, a valid student visa and an NOC from the Ministry of Education. Officers may also ask about your education, course and finances.

Do students need a labour permit to leave Nepal?
No. The labour permit is listed for the foreign employment category. Students are asked for a passport, student visa and NOC.

Is NOC required at the airport for students?
Yes. The TIA Immigration Office lists an NOC from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology among the requirements for students going abroad.

How much dollars can I carry from Nepal?
The CAAN publication says cash over US$5,000 must be declared at customs. How much a bank will sell you is a separate rule; ask your bank.

Can I take gold jewellery out of Nepal as a student?
The CAAN publication lists gold and silver among items that cannot be exported. Check with customs at the airport before packing any.

Sources

Last checked: 19 October 2026. This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Check with the Department of Immigration, customs and your bank before you travel.

TIA departure checklist for Nepali students leaving Nepal