Online ‘route permit’ issued for tourists visiting restricted areas

KATHMANDU: The Department of Immigration has introduced an online electrical system for issuing route permits for both domestic and international tourists traveling to restricted areas.

In an effort to simplify the process for tourists intending to explore restricted regions, the Department has facilitated the acquisition of route permits through the online medium, as informed by Binod Sapkota, the Secretary of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN).

Previously, tourists intending to visit restricted areas were granted permits through a paper-based process by the Department of Immigration.

However, now, the online ‘Route Permit’ system has been implemented to streamline and simplify the process, according to TAAN’s Secretary Sapkota.

He shared that the online system has already issued route permits to three Chinese nationals through Magical Nepal Pvt Ltd.

With the introduction of the online route permit system, tourists planning to visit the upper part of Mustang, upper Dolpa, Manaslu region in Gorkha, Chhum and Nubri valleys in Humla, Simikot in Humla district, Chankheli, Namkha, and the Kanjanjunga region in Taplejung will find the process more accessible.