KATHMANDU: The Embassy of Nepal in Thailand has issued an urgent directive ordering all Nepali citizens currently residing in Cambodia with expired visas to return home within one week or face severe legal penalties.

The ultimatum follows a major diplomatic initiative launched by the embassy on May 1, 2026, to collect details on undocumented nationals and coordinate with local authorities to waive crippling overstay fees.

The Cambodian government has granted amnesty from fines and penalties to 602 Nepali citizens across eight consecutive phases.

Additionally, the embassy has already processed and dispatched emergency one-way travel documents to Cambodia for all citizens who had reported their passports lost, clearing all administrative hurdles for an immediate departure.

The embassy has strongly urged all affected individuals to take the notice seriously and exit the country immediately, warning that the grace period is rapidly closing.

Under newly enacted immigration laws, the Cambodian government has launched a strict crackdown on undocumented foreigners, and those who fail to leave within the stipulated one-week timeframe will face mandatory arrest, heavy fines, and imprisonment.

To ensure a hassle-free departure, citizens who have received the visa waiver must submit their flight ticket details to the Cambodian Department of Immigration via the embassy’s contact channels before travelling.

Furthermore, since there are no direct flights operating between Cambodia and Nepal, travelers are explicitly cautioned to verify that they are purchasing properly coordinated connecting flights before finalizing their tickets.