The new ‘regulation related to approval of tourist visas for foreigner countries-2022′, introduced by the Department of Immigration (DoI) for Nepali travellers, has irked travel agents and those who wish to visit foreign countries under tourist or visit visas. As the provision will come into effect after all necessary management procedures are complete, the new software will be developed to manage the visit visa procedures.
The new regulation has added a burden on tour and travel agents in confirming if the person seeking to apply for a tourist visa is legal before issuing the air tickets and ensuring the return of the Nepali tourists and also submitting a report to the DoI. Legal action will be taken against tour and travel operators for failing to meet the two conditions mentioned. NATTA issued a press statement objecting to the rule, saying it is impractical, which aims to discourage genuine people from travelling abroad for good purposes. The new provisions will give unnecessary trouble to ordinary people and travel agents while obtaining permission from the DoI for a visit or tourist visa. NATTA also had several interactions with different outbound travel agents concerning this issue.
Under the new provision, the DoI has categorised people into 16 categories. Those who want to visit their relatives abroad, operators of import and export businesses, operators of organisations or unions, students and teachers, people going abroad for training or practical studies, exhibition, sports, film shooting, talent and cultural shows will have to receive approval from the DoI and submit more documents before applying for tourist visas. Only people from the frequent travellers’ cluster will have to show proof of having travelled to more than two countries, excluding India, Malaysia and the Gulf countries. Others who are applying for tourist visas for the first time are required to show proof of having an annual income of at least Rs 400,000 and a bank balance of Rs 200,000. The remaining clusters will need approval from the DoI to apply for tourist visas before purchasing a plane ticket.