New tourist visa guidelines come into effect

Kathmandu: The Nepal government has introduced a new set of rules for people traveling abroad on tourist visas with immediate effect.

The new tourist visa rules come into effect in response to the reoccurring incidents wherein individuals traveling abroad have been victims of fraudulent activities in the past including overstaying.

The Department of Immigration has outlined the six rules in connection with the travel advisory. The new travel advisory statement is mentioned below:

“Those intending to travel abroad on a tourist visa must now possess a passport with a validity period of at least 6 months. Additionally, travelers 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 without a hotel reservation, 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 unauthorized stays abroad.

Furthermore, individuals planning to travel on a tourist visa must provide a letter of invitation from either a government or non-governmental organization that commits to covering the entire cost of the visit. Alternatively, travelers 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 is tricked tricked, and trafficked into a third country.”