Nepal Halts Visa-on-Arrival for Iranians Amid Regional Tensions

Nepal's New Visa Policy for Iranian Citizens

The Nepalese government has announced a suspension of visa-on-arrival services for Iranian travelers, a decision influenced by the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran in West Asia, as stated by the Department of Immigration on Friday.

Ram Chandra Tiwari, the Director General of the department, explained that this action is intended to mitigate the potential influx of Iranian nationals into Nepal amid the regional conflict. He noted that similar measures have been implemented for other countries experiencing unrest.

The Ministry of Home Affairs made this decision based on the department's recommendations, emphasizing national security concerns. Tiwari highlighted the risk of Iranians entering Nepal through its porous border with India.

Under the new regulations, Iranian citizens, with the exception of those holding official or diplomatic passports, must now secure a visa from a Nepali embassy or diplomatic mission prior to their arrival in Nepal. This change brings the total number of countries whose citizens are ineligible for visa-on-arrival in Nepal to 13.

Other nations affected by this policy include Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, and Syria.

Additionally, the Nepali government has reiterated that individuals traveling with refugee-status documents must also obtain a visa from a Nepali diplomatic mission before entering the country.

Nepal has expressed concerns about a possible surge of foreign nationals seeking refugee status upon arrival. Historically, the country has seen an influx of Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar's military actions, as well as hosting over 100,000 Bhutanese refugees for two decades until their resettlement in various Western nations.

When questioned about whether this decision was influenced by US security concerns regarding Iranian nationals in Nepal, Tiwari clarified that this was not a consideration. He stated, "We have not received any diplomatic communication from the US regarding any threats posed by Iranian nationals in Nepal."

The department confirmed that this latest policy regarding Iranian nationals aligns with Nepal's immigration regulations that dictate entry procedures for specific nationalities.