What Documents Do You Need to Move Into a Hostel in Nepal?

Requirements vary somewhat by hostel, but there's a fairly consistent set of documents most hostels in Nepal will ask for before you move in. Having these ready in advance saves you an awkward, avoidable delay on move-in day.

What's typically required

• A copy of your citizenship certificate or passport — standard identity verification almost every hostel will ask for.
• A recent passport-size photo or two, often needed for the hostel's own resident records.
• Proof of college or program enrollment, if you're a student — an admission letter or student ID is usually sufficient.
• A guarantor's contact information, commonly a parent or guardian, especially for students moving to a new city for the first time.

What to bring in terms of payment

• The first month's rent, obviously, but confirm the exact amount and whether it includes anything beyond the room itself (meals, utilities).
• An admission or security deposit, commonly somewhere in the range of NPR 2,000–4,000, though this varies by hostel — always confirm the exact amount and whether it's refundable before paying.

Questions worth asking before you pay anything

• Is the deposit refundable, and under what conditions?
• What is the notice period if you need to leave mid-semester?
• Is there a written agreement, even an informal one, confirming the terms you were told verbally?

A simple rule

Get anything important in writing, even a text message confirming the agreed price and deposit terms. Verbal agreements are common in Nepal's hostel market, but having something in writing protects you if there's ever a disagreement later about what was actually promised.

Ready to find a hostel? Browse verified listings and confirm exact requirements directly with your shortlist before moving day.