Nepal Scraps Strict 6-Point Visit Visa Rules: Here Are The 4 Simple Requirements for Nepalese Travelers (Effective October 30, 2025)
1st November 2025, Kathmandu
In a major move aimed at simplifying international travel for its citizens and promoting good governance, the Government of Nepal has abolished the controversial six-point visit visa standards and implemented a streamlined, four-point requirement.
Nepal 6-Point Visit Visa Rules
The Department of Immigration (DoI) announced the decision effective immediately from Kartik 13, 2082 BS (October 30, 2025) to replace all previous complex and discretionary provisions, ending years of controversy, delays, and alleged corruption at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) immigration desk.
This change marks a shift from a restrictive to a facilitative approach, ensuring the Nepalese citizens’ fundamental right to free movement is upheld.
The New 4-Point Visit Visa Requirement
The new standard significantly reduces the paperwork and scrutiny required for Nepalese citizens departing on a visit visa. Travel permission will be granted upon presenting just three key documents and a mandatory self-declaration.
| Required Document / Condition | Purpose | |
| 1. | Valid Passport | Minimum validity of six (6) months. |
| 2. | Destination Visa | Required only if the country does not offer a Visa on Arrival (VOA) to Nepalese passport holders. |
| 3. | Air Ticket | Proof of confirmed flight to the destination. |
| 4. | Self-Declaration Form | A signed declaration stating the purpose of the visit, possession of necessary documents, and accepting full personal responsibility for the consequences of the travel. |
What Key Requirements Have Been Removed?
The new policy directly eliminates several provisions from the previously active six-point standard (implemented from Magh 10, 2080 BS/January 24, 2024) that were widely criticized as arbitrary and cumbersome:
| Abolished Requirement | Why It Was Problematic |
| Proof of $500 USD | Required travelers to show proof of foreign currency exchange, which often led to extortion by intermediaries. |
| Hotel Booking Confirmation | Required confirmation of accommodation, which restricted genuine travelers planning to stay with family/friends. |
| Relationship Certificate | Required documents proving relationship (within three generations) for those staying with relatives abroad. |
| Financial/Status Scrutiny | Previous standards often included checking employment, education (e.g., Class 12 pass), or bank statements (e.g., Rs 500,000 income/bank balance) to verify the traveler’s status.’ |
Why the Rules Were Simplified: The Push for Good Governance
The Department of Immigration’s official statement explicitly acknowledges the reasons behind the dramatic policy shift:
Combating Harassment and Irregularity
The old, restrictive rules, though intended for citizen protection against trafficking, had themselves become a source of “harassment and irregularity” by creating opportunities for middlemen and corruption.
Upholding Constitutional Rights
The stringent controls were seen as infringing upon the fundamental human rights and the freedom of movement guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal.
End to Discretionary Power
The previous regime relied heavily on the immigration officer’s “discretionary decisions based on assumptions, suspicion, and checking of status,” leading to inconsistent and unfair outcomes.
Refocusing Immigration
By simplifying the departure process for Nepalese, the DoI aims to free up resources to focus on the “crucial tasks of thoroughly scrutinizing foreigners entering Nepal” and monitoring their activities.
The Role of the Self-Declaration
The Self-Declaration (Point 4) is the core of the new facilitative approach. It shifts the burden of proof and accountability fully onto the traveler. By signing this document, the individual certifies their purpose of travel is genuine and accepts legal responsibility for any consequences, such as overstaying or engaging in illegal work.
Final Advisory for Nepalese Travelers
The Department of Immigration strongly urged all Nepalese citizens to:
“Travel confidently without being influenced by any intermediaries (agents/brokers)” and to be “fully informed about their destination and journey.”
The new rules aim to ensure a transparent, friction-free departure process based on simple compliance with essential travel documents.
For more: Nepal 6-Point Visit Visa Rules
