The Cabinet meeting has approved a new visa regime between Nepal and the United States.

As per the new rule, US citizens who apply for a tourist visa will get five-year multiple entries into Nepal. Americans with tourist visas can spend a maximum of 180 days (per year) in Nepal, according to Information Minister Gokul Baskota.

American citizens currently pay $22 for 15-day visa, $40 for 30 days and $100 for 90 days of stay in Nepal as tourists. For those who stay more than 90 days in Nepal as tourists pay $2 for each extra day.

As per the new rule that comes into effect after January 1, 2019, both Nepali and the US citizens will have to pay $160 for five-year tourist visa. Nepalis had been paying $100 for the visa.

The US government had long been demanding reciprocal visa regime between the two countries.

The Cabinet also instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with the US Embassy in Kathmandu to waive the $200 additional fee for Nepalis applying to study in the US.