Kathmandu –
The Department of Immigration has pledged not to prevent Nepali citizens from traveling abroad on visit visas solely on the basis of suspicion, assumption, or social status.
Announcing the decision at a press conference on Sunday, Director General Ram Chandra Tiwari underlined the department’s zero-tolerance policy against irregularities and corruption in immigration services.
He clarified that while genuine travelers will not face unnecessary hurdles, those attempting to use fake or forged documents will be denied departure permission and subjected to legal action through Nepal Police.
The department urged passengers to ensure they carry valid passports, visas, two-way air tickets, hotel bookings or proof of accommodation, foreign currency exchange documents, and all required paperwork before traveling. Travelers were also advised not to fall prey to brokers or middlemen and to immediately report any demands for money during immigration procedures to the Department, Nepal Police, or the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).
Airlines have been instructed to send passengers to the immigration clearance area at least one hour before departure, refrain from overbooking, and provide written explanations if boarding passes cannot be issued.
Similarly, local governments and district administration offices have been asked to raise awareness against fraudsters and monitor illegal activities, while the media has been called upon to responsibly report fake travel documents and broker activities to alert the public.
Tiwari stressed that cooperation from all stakeholders is vital to ensure safe, dignified, and systematic foreign travel for Nepali citizens.