KATHMANDU: The Department of Immigration has introduced new standards for visit visas, cancelling all previously issued provisions and regulations, according to spokesperson Tikarama Dhakal.

Under the new rules, applicants for a visit visa must hold a passport valid for at least six more months, possess a valid visa for the destination country, have air tickets to the destination, provide all necessary documents for the visit, and submit a self-declaration accepting full responsibility for any consequences arising from the trip.

Previously, on January 24, 2024, the department had implemented a six-point standard.

Based on the department’s proposal, the government approved the new provisions through a ministerial decision on October 30, and the department began implementation on October 31, Dhakal said.

The department urged all Nepali citizens to plan their travel carefully, stay fully informed, and travel confidently without relying on intermediaries, as the new rules are effective immediately.

District administration offices and local governments have been instructed to inform the public about the new provisions.

The old system had made document preparation cumbersome, and complaints had increased about intermediaries charging excessive fees for processing paperwork.

Under the previous rules, travelers were required to provide round-trip tickets, hotel bookings, and three generations of family details for those staying with relatives.