Visa services for foreign nationals resume from today

Kathmandu / Sept 13: The Department of Immigration (DoI) has resumed visa services for foreign nationals from Sunday. The service was closed a month ago as one of the DoI staffers tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the department, visas will be regulated without any late fees and penalties till September 27. Stating that online, virtual and electronic services are not possible due to the existing visa policy, the department had closed all visa services as per the decision of the government.

The department has asked the service seekers to contact the DoI within 15 days once the visa services resume for the exemption of late fee and penalty.

The visa of foreign nationals having valid visas up to March 21, who are unable to get back to their countries within 15 days from the date of resumption of international flights due to various reasons, will be regulated without any fee till August 14. “But starting August 15, visa will be regulated maximum up to December 15 but with regular tourist visa fee,” the department stated.

The department had said that foreign nationals having valid visas up to March 21, departing within days from the resume date of international flights, their visa will be regulated without any charges like visa fee, late fee and penalty at immigration offices at the time of their departure.

The DoI has decided to regulate visas of foreign nationals having valid tourist visas up to March 21 and is willing to convert their visa category without any late fee or penalty. The department will also regulate tourist visas of foreign nationals with a maximum 150 days stay limit in free tourist visas in this visa year without any fee up to August 14. However, they will be charged with a regular tourist visa fee like other foreigners since August 15 and visa can be extended maximum up to December 15.