The government on Tuesday issued new provisions for travelling abroad on a visit visa.

The new provisions will be implemented for Nepali travellers from Wednesday, the Department of Immigration said in a travel advisory.

Earlier, 17 different criteria including knowing the English language, passing grade 12 and spending at least two years in a foreign country among others were set for travelling abroad on a visit visa.

From Wednesday, travellers going abroad on a visit visa must carry a passport with a six-month validity with a valid visa for countries other than issuing on-arrival visa, present two-way air tickets and hotel booking and proof of exchanging USD500.

Hotel booking is not required if the traveller will be living in the accommodation of his/her relative. Such travellers should present a document revealing the relation with the relative instead.

Likewise, a US dollar exchange is not required if someone is invited by government or nongovernment organisations and such organisations will bear all the travel expenses. The traveller should present the invitation letter instead, according to the provision.

Similarly, travellers visiting the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia on a visit visa should fill up a self-declaration form that mentions they will not be engaged in activities other than travelling.

The government has requested not to get involved in activities other than the purpose of the visa and to return to the home country within the duration of the visa.

Saying that there is no additional fee required for travelling on a visit visa, the government has requested one and all not fall into false promises of middlemen.

Published on: 24 January 2024 | The Kathmandu Post