• Home Secretary Rai says immigration system at TIA will be operated through modern technology within a month

Kathmandu, October 26

Minister of Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa has directed the Department of Immigration to make its functions more effective.

During an on-site monitoring of Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport today, he also stressed the need to bring about improvement in immigration services under the DoI. “Immigration is the first point a foreigner comes across while entering Nepal and hence the concerned officials should not compromise on service delivery. Still, there are many areas that need reforms in the immigration sector,” he said.

According to Minister Thapa, the very first experience of a foreigner counts when s/he arrives here. If s/he has a bad experience, s/he will neither comes back nor suggest his/her fellow citizens and friends to visit Nepal. First impression is the last impression. If s/he is impressed by immigration service, s/he will make word-of-mouth publicity of Nepal. Therefore, I direct you to act accordingly,” Minister Thapa told immigration officials.

He also reminded that the government had assigned sensitive responsibilities to employees at TIA and border entry points and it required them to work honestly and efficiently. Minister Thapa said a proposal was received for celebrating Immigration Year next year. “The ministry is ready to take positive decision on this proposal,” he said.

Home Secretary Prem Kumar Rai said the ministry was committed to providing necessary resources and means to the DoI to make immigration sector more systematic. DoI Director General Eshor Raj Poudel said it had started the process of installing new software at TIA Immigration Office to enhance system of recording people's arrival and departure through TIA. “Immigration system will be operated through modern technology within one month,” he informed.