Travel Abroad Made Easier

The government has introduced new criteria to make it easier for Nepalis to travel abroad on visit visas, providing much-needed relief to the general public. While influential individuals could previously travel abroad with ease, ordinary citizens often faced the burden of submitting numerous documents. Even when destination countries had already granted approval, ordinary travelers were frequently subjected to obstacles and scams, which intermediaries sometimes exploited for financial gain. According to the Home Ministry, citizens can now travel abroad on a visit visa by taking personal responsibility. Travelers are required to submit a self-declaration stating that they are traveling for visit purposes, possess all necessary documents and accept full responsibility for any consequences arising from their travel. The constitution guarantees all citizens the right to free movement; however, previous visit visa guidelines issued by the Home Ministry did not fully protect these rights. Previously, intermediaries influenced the visit visa process, making it cumbersome and costly for ordinary citizens. Under the new rules, travelers can plan their trips with complete information about their destination and journey. Effective from last Friday, prior permission is no longer required for countries that grant visas on arrival. Citizens can now travel abroad by submitting a self-declaration along with a valid flight ticket and necessary documents.