Kathmandu

Regional snapshot

• Why people narrow here: The national summary highlights trekking, UNESCO-listed valley towns, NGO and adventure-sports networks, and private hospitals in Kathmandu (and Pokhara) for cash-pay expat care—many assignments and sabbaticals start in the capital valley.
• Main airport: Tribhuvan International (KTM) is named in the national profile as the usual entry point; domestic and regional hops link Pokhara, Bharatpur, and hill roads when weather allows—not a separate immigration regime from Nepal.
• Transit: Left-hand traffic; taxis, ride apps where available, and intercity buses—monsoon landslides on hill roads and post-rain potholes match the national cons list; plan buffer time for valley traffic.
• Languages: Nepali is the official language and lingua franca. English appears on many immigration and tourism forms, in Kathmandu and Pokhara business districts, international schools, NGOs, and major private hospitals—but ward offices, local police posts, rural clinics, and neighbourhood leases often run primarily on Nepali (or regional languages such as Maithili, Bhojpuri, Newar, Tamang, and Tharu). Learning polite Nepali phrases and budgeting for certified translation on contracts and court filings pays off for long stays.
• Daily life and costs: The profile notes Numbeo-style snapshots far below US composites in NPR terms outside premium compounds; imported goods, fuel-linked prices, and load-shedding or water scheduling still require backup planning.
• Watch-outs: Earthquake and landslide risk; Kathmandu valley air quality can reach unhealthy AQI in winter—housing with filtration helps if you are sensitive. No dedicated remote-worker visa; working on the wrong pass type creates immigration risk per the country page. Dual citizenship and naturalisation rules are tightly constrained—verify with counsel.
• Visas & permits: Categories, extensions, and employment coordination are national Department of Immigration matters—confirm current circulars on official portals linked from the Nepal country page.