Nepal issues new guidelines for Nepali passport holders with tourist visas

KATHMANDU- A Nepal government has introduced new rules for traveling abroad on tourist visas.

These regulations come in response to incidents where people on tourist visas have faced deception or chosen to stay illegally in foreign countries.
The Department of Immigration, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has outlined six new rules in conjunction with a travel advisory.

The new rules will come into effect from January 24.

According to the Department, those intending to travel abroad on a tourist visa must now possess a passport with a validity period of at least 6 months. Additionally, travellers are required to present a visa for the destination country, a round-trip ticket, a confirmation of hotel booking for the entire duration of the visit, or, in cases of staying with relatives, a citizenship certificate or any other document demonstrating the familial relationship within three generations.

These measures aim to enhance the scrutiny and verification process for those leaving Nepal on tourist visas to mitigate issues such as fraud and unauthorised stays abroad.
Furthermore, individuals planning to travel on a tourist visa must provide a letter of invitation from either a government or non-governmental organisation that commits to covering the entire cost of the visit. Alternatively, travellers should provide proof of having at least USD 500 in cash or its equivalent through cash, debit cards, or credit cards.
For those intending to visit the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa, an additional requirement is to complete a self-declaration form. This form must be submitted to the immigration office, as it wants to ensure no Nepali citizen trafficked into a third country.
Prem Prasad Dahal, the Director and Information Officer of the Department of Immigration, said the new rule was introduced due to a rise in fraudulent activities associated with tourist visas.