KATHMANDU: Nepal has recently come under the spotlight after reports revealed that nearly 200 Rohingya refugees used Nepali passports to travel to Saudi Arabia.

Many of these passports were handwritten, outdated, or involved falsified information, raising legal, diplomatic, and security concerns.

The case has exposed vulnerabilities in Nepal’s passport issuance and immigration systems, highlighting the need for stricter oversight.

Authorities are investigating the origins of these documents, coordinating with Saudi Arabia and Myanmar, and addressing irregularities in labor migration and visa management to prevent future misuse.

Who are the Rohingyas and why are they in Nepal?

The Rohingya are a persecuted Muslim minority from Myanmar’s Rakhine state, who have faced decades of systematic discrimination and violent military crackdowns.

Following the 2017 military operations in Myanmar, thousands fled to Bangladesh, while some were trafficked through India into Nepal.

In Nepal, they settled mostly as urban refugees, living in temporary accommodations or informal settlements, often without proper identification.

Government estimates suggest around 440 Rohingya currently reside in Nepal. Many arrived between 2012 and 2017, before the large-scale exodus from Myanmar, and they often seek opportunities abroad due to limited economic and legal rights in Nepal.

The issue has brought to the fore both humanitarian obligations and challenges in regulating migration and citizenship documentation.

How did the Rohingyas acquire Nepali passports?

Investigations reveal that most Rohingyas traveling to Saudi Arabia used handwritten Nepali passports issued before 2010. Handwritten passports were phased out due to vulnerability to forgery, yet traffickers exploited the loophole to facilitate illegal travel.

Some documents included fake citizenship certificates, while others involved photo swaps, indicating collusion among local officials, including district administrators, immigration officers, and airport staff.

Many refugees reportedly did not speak Nepali and had no knowledge of their alleged home districts, confirming that they were not genuine Nepali citizens.

This organized use of forged documents demonstrates a longstanding issue in Nepal’s passport issuance system and highlights the risk of exploitation by criminal networks in cross-border migration.

When and how did they travel to Saudi Arabia?

Most Rohingyas reportedly entered Saudi Arabia before December 2015, using passports issued before 2010. They likely arrived in Nepal via India, then traveled abroad under the pretext of Nepali citizenship.

Saudi immigration authorities detained many during visa overstays and alerted the Nepali embassy in Riyadh. Embassy officials confirmed that they were not Nepali citizens and refused to issue travel documents, but Saudi authorities continued to pressure Nepal for repatriation.

This situation created a diplomatic challenge, as Nepal had to balance legal obligations, humanitarian considerations, and Saudi demands while conducting verification of the refugees’ documentation and investigating the illegal migration network.

What actions has the Nepal government taken?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched an official probe to verify the passports, trace issuance, and identify officials involved in document irregularities.

Discussions were held with nine Nepali diplomatic missions, some virtually and some in person, emphasizing inter-ministerial coordination.

Copies of the passports are being collected from Riyadh to confirm issuance dates, travel histories, and legitimacy. Immigration authorities are cross-checking data to determine whether any documents were counterfeit.

If confirmed, Nepal plans to pursue legal action against those involved, and work with Myanmar to establish the refugees’ true nationality. This approach combines investigation, legal enforcement, and diplomatic coordination to manage the issue effectively.

What legal consequences could arise under Nepali law?

Nepali law is strict regarding misuse of passports and citizenship documents. The Passport Act prescribes imprisonment of 1–3 years and fines of Rs 200,000–500,000 for falsifying or misusing passports.

Similarly, the Citizenship Act sets penalties for foreigners fraudulently acquiring Nepali citizenship. Officials who facilitate such violations can also face imprisonment and fines.

If the Rohingyas were returned to Nepal, authorities could initiate legal proceedings, though the case is complex because they are not genuine Nepali citizens.

This incident underscores the importance of monitoring passport issuance and the risks of collusion in creating a network that facilitates illegal migration.

How does this case relate to foreign employment?

Nepal is a major labor-exporting country to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations, with over 150,000 Nepalis traveling abroad for work in the last fiscal year.

The Rohingya passport case exposes weaknesses in migration regulation and verification processes, highlighting the risks of illegal labor channels.

It raises concerns about exploitation by trafficking networks and the safety of Nepali workers abroad. The government has initiated measures to strengthen oversight, ensure proper documentation, and promote legal, organized, and dignified foreign employment.

What is the Kafala system?

The Kafala system, widely used in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, binds migrant workers to a specific employer for the duration of their employment, restricting mobility and legal protections.

Nepalis under this system face risks of exploitation, abuse, and limited recourse in disputes. The Rohingya case highlights how illegal migration and document fraud can intersect with labor systems like Kafala, putting workers at greater risk.

Nepali authorities are considering safeguards such as monitoring employment contracts, simplifying visa procedures, and establishing rapid-response mechanisms for emergencies, aiming to protect legal workers while preventing fraudulent entries.

How is Nepal preventing future passport misuse?

Nepal has moved fully to machine-readable passports and later e-passports to prevent forgery. Authorities are strengthening inter-ministerial coordination, integrating immigration databases, and establishing emergency response teams.

Verification processes for applicants are being tightened, especially for labor migration. The government is also exploring insurance and support mechanisms for Nepalis traveling on visit visas.

By addressing previous loopholes that allowed traffickers to exploit handwritten passports, these measures aim to reduce document fraud, protect national security, and safeguard workers abroad.

What diplomatic steps are being taken with Saudi Arabia and Myanmar?

Nepal is coordinating with both Saudi Arabia and Myanmar to address the Rohingya issue. Embassy officials in Riyadh have confirmed detainees’ non-Nepali status, while discussions with Myanmar aim to verify their nationality.

Nepal has indicated willingness to assist repatriation if refugees can provide valid proof of their origin.

These efforts are part of a broader diplomatic and humanitarian strategy to manage cross-border migration responsibly while meeting obligations under international law and maintaining relations with key labor destination countries.

What irregularities have been uncovered in Nepal’s immigration system?

Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak had been accused of having indirect links to the Visit Visa Extortion Scandal at Tribhuvan International Airport, a scheme involving the illegal issuance of visit visas in exchange for bribes.

Opposition parties in the dissolved House of Representatives alleged that, during his tenure, systemic loopholes in immigration oversight were exploited by a network of brokers, travel agencies, and immigration officers, enabling labor migration through forged documents.

Critics argued that Lekhak carried political and administrative responsibility as Home Minister, since the Ministry supervises immigration operations.

Although no formal conviction has been recorded against him, the scandal had sparked demands for his resignation, with Lekhak stating he would step down if proven guilty.

Investigations by the CIAA and government-appointed panels continue to examine all individuals involved.

How might irregularities in visa management affect Nepalis workers abroad?

Poor management of visit visas can create legal and safety risks for Nepali workers abroad. Loopholes may allow exploitation by traffickers, delay legal redress in host countries, and damage Nepal’s reputation as a labor-exporting nation.

Workers may face challenges with visa overstays, inconsistent documentation, and limited employer protections under foreign labor laws.