Nepal plans to recognize digital passports, visas for foreign tourists

Kathmandu / Sept 16: The Department of Immigration (DoI) is preparing to give official recognition to digital records, including passports and visas, displayed through its mobile application, in a move aimed at making travel procedures easier for foreign visitors.

Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Director General of the DoI Ramchandra Tiwari said a draft proposal is being prepared to grant legal validity to digital immigration records. “Once implemented, foreign tourists could use the digital records on the DoI’s mobile app instead of carrying physical passports or visas for procedures such as hotel check-ins, security checks, currency exchange and domestic air travel,” Tiwari said.

According to Tiwari, foreign visitors will be able to log into the DoI’s mobile application and enter their passport details, which will then be linked directly to the DoI’s central database.

Tiwari said the digital system would also strengthen the government’s ability to locate foreign nationals during disasters and other emergencies. He said several diplomatic missions had requested assistance in tracing foreign nationals following preliminary reports that around 1,000 foreigners had gone missing during a recent disaster.

He noted that authorities currently face difficulties in immediately determining the whereabouts of foreign nationals who are not captured in immigration entry and exit records or registered through the Foreigner Management Information System while staying at hotels.

By linking foreign nationals’ information with the DoI’s mobile application, it will enable authorities to more quickly identify and trace individuals during disasters and facilitate timely rescue and assistance, Tiwari said.

Meanwhile, the DoI is also preparing to establish help desks at international airports to assist foreign nationals in downloading and using the application.