Introduction to the Department of Immigration’s Transformation
The Department of Immigration (DoI) plays a vital role in managing both the entry and exit of travelers, acting as a critical component of Nepal’s administrative framework. Often seen as a reflection of the country itself, the quality of services provided by the DoI significantly influences Nepal’s national image. For foreign nationals arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the immigration office is their first interaction with the state. Despite being the primary international gateway, the TIA immigration office has faced criticism over service issues. Similarly, Nepali citizens departing through TIA have also reported challenges at immigration counters.
Procedural Reforms and Technological Upgrades
Recognizing these challenges, the DoI has been implementing procedural reforms, enhancing security standards, and upgrading technological systems to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability. These initiatives have not only improved internal discipline but have also set the stage for broader systemic changes.
As part of this transformation, the DoI launched the Foreign National Management Information System (FNMIS). This centralized digital platform aims to regulate, monitor, manage, facilitate, and record the movement and activities of foreign nationals entering Nepal.
The Role of FNMIS in National Security
According to the DoI, international border points, particularly the TIA immigration office, are directly linked to national security and remain vulnerable to illicit activities. This reality necessitated a robust, technology-backed monitoring mechanism, leading to the implementation of the system.
Director General of the DoI, Ram Chandra Tiwari, stated that the system became operational on January 1, 2026, coinciding with the English New Year. Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal inaugurated the system. The data generated will be used for national security, the safety of foreign nationals, and criminal investigations, according to Tiwari.
Integration of Service Providers
Once fully implemented, the system will integrate key details of foreign nationals, including nationality, name, passport, and visa information, into a central database. This will allow authorities to easily verify whether individuals are complying with visa regulations during their stay in Nepal.
The DoI has already connected a wide range of service providers to the system, including hotels and lodges, domestic airlines, helicopter companies, trekking and mountaineering agencies, tour and travel operators, telecom service providers, banks and financial institutions, foreign exchange centers, tourist guides, tourist police, and public transportation services.
Phases of Implementation
Institutions offering services to foreign nationals are required to enter visitor details in a prescribed format, which is then transmitted to the DoI’s central database. According to DG Tiwari, the system enables authorities to track, regulate, and facilitate the activities of foreign nationals from the moment they enter Nepal until their departure.
In the first phase, star hotels and trekking agencies within the Kathmandu Valley have been connected to the system. The second phase, beginning March 1, will integrate domestic airlines, travel agencies, tourist transport services, and foreign exchange centers. In the third phase, other hotels and lodges across the country will be brought under the system.
Enhancing Accountability and Safety
“This system sends a clear message—foreign nationals cannot engage in suspicious activities and easily evade accountability, while at the same time assuring them of safety and protection,” Tiwari said.
He added that monitoring foreign nationals, which previously relied heavily on manual oversight, will now be system-driven. “Earlier, individuals had to track where foreign nationals went and what they did. Now, monitoring will be automated, making it easier to bring offenders within the legal framework,” he said.
National Security and Legal Frameworks
From a national security standpoint, Tiwari said the government has begun strengthening policies, laws, and action plans after assessing risks linked to cross-border movement.
“We are vigilant about the safety of foreign nationals,” Tiwari said.
In line with immigration laws, the DoI is committed to ensuring the safety, rescue, and necessary services for foreign nationals who come to Nepal with genuine intentions. We remain vigilant. Any activities that violate visa conditions, prevailing laws, or social norms are identified promptly and dealt with through legal procedures.
Data and Challenges
In 2024 alone, 1,145,311 foreign nationals visited Nepal. At the time, there was no systematic mechanism to track where they went, what they did, or the problems they faced during their stay. We are now working to organize and institutionalize this process.
Over the past two decades, attempts to regulate outbound migration have also failed to deliver expected results. Simply closing airport gates cannot stop the growing trend of foreign migration. The state must invest in opportunities such as startups and productive sectors. Frequent policy changes have only increased costs and disrupted the overall immigration ecosystem.
During this period, more than 150,000 individuals were prevented from traveling abroad—sometimes by immigration authorities, sometimes by airlines—but none of them ultimately stayed in Nepal. Closing airport gates alone does not work. Without creating domestic opportunities, restricting foreign travel is neither sustainable nor effective.
