KATHMANDU, JANUARY 19

The government has eased arrival visa for diplomats, people representing the United Nations, and people of Nepali origin by waiving the need to acquire any prior approval letter or recommendation.

Until now people travelling from across the world were required to get permission from Nepali diplomatic missions abroad, Nepal embassies, or Nepal government’s special recommendation after the government imposed nationwide lockdown in March end last year, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A notice issued by the Department of Immigration yesterday allowed foreigners holding diplomatic/official passport or UN Laissez-Passer, foreign employees working in UN agencies and other international organisations in Nepal, and foreigners of Nepali origins or Non-Resident Nepali cardholders to travel to the country and get the visa from here.

All foreigners, except the above mentioned, should obtain a prior visa or tourist entry visa of Nepal before arrival.

All travellers, however, must have a COVID-19 negative report (RT-PCR, Gene Xpert, True, NAAT or equivalent) obtained within 72 hours prior to their departure from the first port of embarkation.

Children below five years, accompanied by parents, are exempted from submitting such reports.

This rule, however, is not eligible for passengers travelling from the United Kingdom as the first port of embarkation or transits until further notice. But, Nepali nationals, NRNs and their children visiting Nepal to attend funeral or for medical treatment of their close relatives can travel to the country after obtaining a recommendation from the Nepali mission abroad.