Kathmandu, July 6

The government has reviewed its attestation fees for Nepalis travelling abroad starting from July 17.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), as decided by the Cabinet on June 29, has increased the attestation fees for those planning to travel abroad citing that such fees had not been reviewed since 2004.

The hike in attestation fee also intends to support the government in revenue generation.

Nepalis planning a foreign trip have to certify various documents like power of attorney, consent letter, contract papers, bail applications and various other documents of banks and financial institutions at different government agencies.

As per MoFA officials, the new attestation fees differ for those travelling to developing nations and those

visiting developed nations. Nepalis planning to visit developed nations would have to shell out higher amount.

MoFA officials informed that the fee for certifying the letter of attorney for developed and developing nations (including Gulf nations) has been fixed at $200 and $40, respectively. Previously, the certification fee for letter of attorney for

developed and developing nations was $25 and $15, respectively.

Similarly, per certificate attestation fee for other documents to developed and developing nations has been increased to $50 and $40 on an average, respectively. Earlier, per certificate attestation fee for other documents to developed and developing nations was almost $25 and $15, respectively.

Meanwhile, recruiting agencies have said that migrant workers would be adversely affected by the increment in attestation fees as it would not only add a financial burden on them but also discourage them from travelling abroad for jobs.

“The decision to hike attestation fees clearly intends to discourage foreign employment. However, the move is not justifiable in the context of the government not being able to generate ample job opportunities in the country itself,” said Ram Prasad Bhantana, first vice president of Nepal Association of Foreign employment Agencies (NAFEA).