KATHMANDU: The number of Nepalis traveling abroad on visit visas from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has been rising sharply, prompting the government to draft short and long-term plans to streamline immigration procedures.
Concerns over irregularities and misuse in the visit visa process have been raised both in parliament and on the streets. The government has already formed an investigation committee, while two political parties have been obstructing the House demanding a high-level probe.
The Department of Immigration, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is tasked with verifying the passports, visas, and travel documents of passengers entering or leaving Nepal. With visit visa departures increasing annually, the immigration office at TIA, currently staffed by around 150 personnel, is facing growing pressure on both resources and technology.
In a recent reshuffle, the government appointed Ram Chandra Tiwari as Director General of the department and Narahari Aryal as chief of the TIA Immigration Office. Tiwari said he aims to transform the department from a mere record-keeping entity into a specialized body capable of advising on national security and safe migration policies.
He also highlighted the need to revise immigration laws, rules, and procedures to align with modern requirements and international practices, while introducing technology-driven reforms.
Plans include strengthening human resources, fostering expertise and professionalism, maintaining high integrity and discipline, and enhancing inter-agency coordination.
Aryal stressed the importance of building a permanent and robust mechanism for information-sharing and cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal Police, and the National Investigation Department to address visit visa-related issues.
According to official statistics, 271,305 Nepalis traveled abroad on visit visas in 2024, up from 202,419 in 2023, 175,790 in 2022, and 90,181 in 2021. As of July 2025, the figure has already reached 134,825. Top destinations include the UAE, Thailand, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia.
The department also plans to prioritize arrivals, not just departures, in the coming days.
The proportion of women among visit visa travelers has risen, from 14.4 percent in 2021 to 42.1 percent in 2024. Women outnumbered men in departures to the UAE, Oman, and Kuwait over the past five years, with particularly high numbers traveling to the UAE and Thailand.
Travelers on visit or tourist visas must carry a valid passport, a visa for the intended destination, a return air ticket, a letter from a sponsor covering expenses, and proof of at least USD 500 (or equivalent in foreign currency) exchanged through official channels.
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