Nov 30, Kathmandu - Although there are three-tier mechanisms under the Ministry of Home Affairs to regulate the activities of foreign nationals entering Nepal, their effectiveness has been seen to be weak, as they do not work according to their assigned responsibilities. Due to the weakness of the monitoring, directing and surveillance system, it has been found that foreign nationals who entered Nepal for one purpose misuse their visas and engage in other activities.

There are three-tier mechanisms for regulating the activities of foreign nationals, monitoring and facilitating their travel, and taking action against those involved in violating the law. According to the Foreign National Monitoring Directive-2075, there is a Central Monitoring Steering Committee led by the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Steering Committee, led by the Secretary, including the Joint Secretary of the Home Ministry, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Labor and Employment, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, National Investigation Department, and Immigration Department, has been assigned the responsibility of monitoring/initiating activities of foreigners residing in Nepal, directing action to be taken if found to be staying illegally, identifying risk areas and suspicious persons and illegal entry points and directing them to be brought under the scope of action, identifying suspicious persons and workplaces and directing them to prepare reports, and preparing crime control and information systems.

Similarly, the Monitoring and Implementation Committee, led by the Director General of the Immigration Department, also has a mechanism to manage the activities of foreign nationals and take action against the guilty. The Director General has an arrangement to participate in the activities of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Airport Immigration, Tourism Board, Department of Industry, Department of Tourism, Department of Labor, Department of Consular Services, and Immigration Department.

This mechanism has been assigned the responsibility of implementing the instructions received from the Secretary-led Steering Committee and taking action against the guilty. Similarly, representatives from the Police, Investigation Department, Immigration Office, Labor and Tourism District Offices, etc., led by the Chief District Officer, are part of this mechanism. This mechanism has been assigned the responsibility of monitoring, regulating, and supervising illegal activities, and arresting and sending to the concerned agency for action if visa misuse is found. However, as per the directive, these mechanisms are not working, monitoring and regulating foreigners who repeatedly misuse visas has not been possible.