Government Makes Electronic Monitoring Mandatory for Foreign Visitors in Nepal

The Department of Immigration has announced that foreign tourists entering Nepal on a ‘visit visa’ will now be registered and monitored through an electronic system. Issuing a notice on Tuesday, the department announced that the Foreign Nationals Registration and Tracking System will come into effect starting September 17.

According to Director General Ram Chandra Tiwari, the new system has been developed to enhance the security of foreign nationals, streamline information management, curb potential crimes, and support the promotion of Nepal’s tourism sector. The system is expected to make it easier to systematically maintain records of the stay and activities of foreigners visiting Nepal on a visit visa.

The department has uploaded the registration process and a user manual for the new system on its website. It has also stated that further inquiries can be made at its Information Technology Section or directly at the department. Letters have already been sent to district monitoring committees in all 77 districts to oversee the implementation of the system.

In the first phase, starting September 17, the system will be made mandatory for star-rated hotels within the Kathmandu Valley. In the second phase, beginning November 16, it will be expanded to all star hotels, airlines, travel and tour companies, and money exchange service providers across the country.

The department has requested all public institutions and private companies providing services to foreign nationals to compulsorily integrate with the system. It recently held discussions with Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) and other stakeholders regarding the implementation of this new provision. According to the association, although the system had been under discussion for a long time, it had not been implemented until now. HAN said it will soon present its official position on the new system. -- RSS