Summary:

In the past six months, 333 foreign nationals have been arrested in Nepal for engaging in illegal activities while on tourist or business visas. The Immigration Department reported that many violated visa terms by running illegal marriage bureaus, conducting proselytisation, and other prohibited activities. Of those arrested between mid-July 2025 to mid-January 2026, some were detained for visa overstays and criminal offenses, while others were deported with entry bans. Notable cases include a Korean-origin US national accused of fraud involving Nepali political party names and multiple Chinese nationals operating illegal marriage agencies. The department imposed fines and deportations along with bans from re-entry for specified periods.

In 2025, a total of 501 foreign nationals were deported. Over the years, deportations have varied: 407 in 2024, 459 in 2023, 570 in 2022, and so on. To address the increasing cases, Nepal introduced the Foreign Nationals Management Information System on January 1, 2026, initially mandatory in Kathmandu Valley and expanding nationwide by March 1. This system tracks foreign nationals' movements and links data with hotels, airlines, trekking agencies, banks, telecom providers, and related institutions to enhance national security related to tourism.

Archive: https://archive.fo/RWHQo