KATHMANDU: The Department of Immigration has detained seven foreign nationals living in Nepal on suspicion of involvement in suspicious activities and has initiated an investigation.

The detainees include two Moroccans, three Chinese, one Bangladeshi, and one French national.

The French national has visited Nepal more than 15 times over the past 11 years using various visas such as student, tourist, and work permits.

She has operated businesses in Nepal, including a bakery in Lainchaur and holds a joint investment in a food business in Lalitpur.

She runs the bakery several days a week, primarily accepting online payments with limited direct customer interaction.

Despite multiple enrollments on a student visa at Balmiki Bidyapith, she did not complete her studies and mostly stayed on tourist visas while conducting business, which is against Nepal’s immigration laws.

Foreign nationals running businesses are required to hold a business visa, and those working must have a working visa.

Operating a business on a tourist visa violates the Immigration Act, 1992, and Immigration Regulations, 1994.
The law authorizes immigration officials to inspect, detain, fine (up to Rs 50,000), and deport foreign nationals who breach visa rules.

Those residing illegally may also face temporary or permanent bans on re-entry.

The Department of Immigration is continuing its investigation and will proceed with deportation as necessary.

Enforcement actions against foreigners suspected of suspicious activities have recently intensified.