Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport is where most visitors meet Nepal's border staff, but the first check usually happens earlier, at your departure airport. A dummy ticket, also called an onward ticket, is a real PNR booked for visa or border-check purposes without paying for the flight. Here are four steps to get yours right before you fly.

Step 1: Find out who will actually ask

Three different parties can ask for proof that you plan to leave Nepal, and they don't always agree with each other.

The airline at your departure airport is the most common one. Carriers are responsible for flying you home if you're refused entry, so many check documents at the desk. Most airlines use IATA's Timatic travel document database to see what a destination expects from your passport. If the database shows an onward requirement for your nationality, the agent may ask for it.

The second party is the immigration officer at arrival. The third is a consulate, if you apply for a visa in advance rather than on arrival.

Start with your own government's travel advice for Nepal. The UK publishes its entry requirements for Nepal on gov.uk, and other governments publish similar pages. Read the section on entry, then compare it with what your airline says. Rules change, so don't rely on a forum post from two years ago.

Step 2: Decide between a dummy ticket and a real ticket

This is the step people skip. Both can satisfy a request for onward travel, but they behave differently.

A real ticket is fully paid and flexible only according to its fare rules. A dummy ticket is a reservation that shows your name, a flight and a booking reference, without the full fare payment. If you're certain you're leaving Nepal by air on a fixed date, a real ticket is simplest. If your plans are open, a dummy ticket costs far less than a flight you might never take.

Think about the following before deciding:

  • Do you already know your exit date and route?
  • Will you leave by air, or overland across the border to India?
  • Does your airline accept a reservation, or does it want a fare it can see is paid?
  • Could a change in plans leave you with a wasted fare?

If the last question worries you, the cheaper option is usually the sensible one. Our guide to what a valid onward ticket looks like walks through the details an agent will look at.

Step 3: Check the details before you show it

An onward ticket only helps if it survives a close look. Agents and officers check a few things quickly.

First, the passenger name must match your passport exactly. A spelling difference causes more trouble than most travellers expect. Second, the booking should show a real route with a date after your planned arrival and inside the stay you're asking for. Third, the reservation should be live in the airline's system, because an agent can look it up by booking reference.

Keep a printed copy and a PDF on your phone. Airport Wi-Fi fails at the worst moments. Know your booking reference by heart or have it written on paper, and be ready to say where you're going next in one plain sentence.

Don't alter the document yourself. Edited PDFs are the fastest way to turn a small problem into a refusal. If something looks wrong, get the booking corrected at the source.

Step 4: Plan for what happens at the desk and at arrival

Preparation matters, but so does your manner. Officers talk to hundreds of people a day, and calm, short answers help.

At the check-in desk, hand over your passport and say you have onward travel if asked. Let the agent look up the reservation. If they query it, ask politely what they need to see and offer your booking reference.

At arrival, answer the questions asked. Where will you stay? How long will you be in Nepal? What's your next destination? Your answers should match your documents. If your hotel booking says one week and your onward ticket shows a departure ten days later, expect a question.

A short stay with a clear route out is simple to explain. A vague plan is harder, so write your itinerary down before you leave home, even if it will change.

You should also keep a backup. If a reservation lapses or an airline cancels a held booking, you need a second option. Some PNRs are held for a limited time, so check how long yours will last. Our explainer on onward ticket versus return ticket covers why a return flight sometimes isn't the answer for open-ended trips.

This is general guidance only. It isn't immigration or legal advice, and Nepal's rules can change. Confirm the current position with official sources and your airline before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

Does every airline ask for an onward ticket to Nepal?

No. Practice varies by airline, route and nationality, and the same airline can be strict one day and relaxed the next. Check Timatic-based guidance with your carrier before you fly.

Can I use a bus or land route as my onward travel?

Sometimes officers accept a land exit plan, but airlines usually want a document they can verify. A flight reservation is easier to show at a desk than a bus timetable.

What if my plans change after I get the ticket?

Dummy tickets are designed for that. Real tickets follow their fare rules, so read them first. Either way, keep your documents consistent with what you tell officers.

It's a real booking made for a stated purpose. Be honest if an officer asks what it is, and never present a fake or altered document.

If you want a verifiable reservation that suits your dates, book your onward ticket here.