Nepal has decided to ban arrival visas for six different countries. Citizens who want to come to Nepal from Corona-affected countries for the entire month of March, which will be effective from March 7will no longer receive unauthorized visas. This bold government decision makes it safe for travelers to visit Nepal.
According to a Home Ministry source, the government bans unauthorized visas for citizens of South Korea, Japan, Iran, China, and Italy. Nepal does not grant illegal permissions to citizens of nearly a dozen countries where terrorist activity is still taking place.
Awareness has also started to take hold in Nepal as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has begun to take on a global epidemic in the past. According to the Director-General of the Department of Immigration, Ishwar Raj Poudel, the issue has been stopped.
Under the Immigration Department, there is a facility for obtaining an unrivaled visa after coming to Nepal from nine entry and departure points. Necessary arrangements have been made at Tribhuvan Airport for those arriving by air. All permits issued by the unraveling are ‘tourist visas.’
Arrival visa was stopped, but the citizens of those countries were not barred from coming to Nepal. After submitting their recent health certificate, they can get visas from the Nepalese diplomatic mission in the respective countries.
Does the On Arrival Visa Ban help to stop COVID-19 in Nepal
Nepal is secure to visit as the governmental bodies and private divisions of Nepal are working to control this outbreak. Visiting Nepal will not affect your travel knowledge, and of course, Nepal does not have any transmission history of coronavirus to date. With proper care and safety measures, you can travel to Nepal safely.
People may think there is a massive threat of coronavirus in Nepal. But after this provision, there will be no coronavirus thread. If people from affected areas cannot visit Nepal, how can the virus enter Nepal’s air?
Due to constant care by government authorities and swift medical response around the world, the spread of the virus has been arrested and well-managed internationally. So we want to inform you that we have decided to waive the unauthorized visa for coronavirus-affected countries. There is less chance of Coronavirus in Nepal because of the ban on arrival visas in Nepal for COVID-19-affected countries. So, travelers who want to visit Nepal and explore its beauty can do so without any fear.
Some prevention measures
- Wash your hands frequently
- Maintain social distance
- Avoid touching the nose, eyes, and mouth
- Wear Mask
- Practice respiratory hygiene
Update on COVID-19 in Nepal
- Department of Immigration, Nepal has included three more countries, Spain, Germany, and France, to the list of countries for which there will be a temporary suspension of the On-Arrival Visa. The total number of listed countries is now eight, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Iran, France, Germany, and Spain. They are as per the global recommendations and measures of the World Health Organization. (Source: http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np)
- The suspension of the On-Arrival Visa facility shall be effective from 10 March 10r, China, including Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Italy, & Iran. For Germany, Spain, and France, the rule will be applicable from 13th March 1320. (Source: http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np)
- However, nationals from these countries and all travelers coming from these countries willing to visit Nepal can obtain a visa beforehand from the respective Nepali Missions abroad. Those applicants, including the nationals transiting from these countries bound to arrive in Nepal, are required to submit a recently issued health certificate stating that COVID-19 do not have COVID-19, along with their visa applications. This document will be scrutinized at the immigration counter at Tribhuwan International Airport and land border entry and exit points in Nepal. (Source: http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np)
- The above rule shall apply to everyone coming to Nepal from the eight listed countries.
- Also, all Nationals of these eight countries are required to produce the Health Certificate, regardless of the region or country they are currently living in or coming from. (Source: http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np)
NTB has introduced a ‘Just Case’ card with all the essential numbers and email IDs for queries regarding COVID-19. This will be distributed from the Immigration Counter at TIA and from all entry points to Nepal.
Updated: 11 March 2020
Update: All tourist visas are on hold, and call off all spring climbing expeditions by the Nepal Government
The suspension of visas will begin on March 14 and end by the end of April, causing Nepal to lose millions from Everest Climbing fees. The Nepal Government has kept all tourist visas on hold and canceled all spring climbing expeditions.
Late Thursday, March 12, 2020, the Nepal Government decided to temporarily stop issuing visas for tourists arriving from all countries. The government has put an end to all spring mountaineering expeditions, including Mount Everest.
The decision was made after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 an epidemic and advised other countries to take preventive measures.
The Government official told the Post, on condition of obscurity, that visa suspension, which also includes diplomatic and official visas, will come into effect on March 14 and last until April 30, 2020.
Furthermore, the meeting has decided to constrain traveler movement to and from India via land route and follow strict isolation measures at the border. As an alternative, any foreigner wishing to visit Nepal has to submit a medical report declaring that they are free of coronavirus while applying at the Nepal Embassy in their respective countries, said the official. Plus, the governments have also decided not to issue visas for tourists entering Nepal via land routes.
Everest Expedition Canceled
According to the official statement, all spring expeditions, including Everest, have been canceled. Undoubtedly, the decision has put an end to the beneficial spring climbing season, which is the peak season of Everest climbing.
The mountaineering generally applies for the Everest permits from the end of March as the spring season starts in early April. Everyone from hotels to restaurants, guides to porters, and airlines to helicopters is waiting eagerly for the spring climbing season. It also generates much-needed jobs and income for the people living in the mountain region.
China has already canceled all Everest expeditions from Tibet due to the global outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Also, the body that issues climbing permits, “The China Tibet Mountaineering Association,” notified on Wednesday that all Everest expeditions from the northern side have been canceled.
“Cancellation of the spring Everest expedition will lead to a huge loss to the expedition operator,” said Pradip Karki, Chairman of Peregrine Treks and Expedition.
Peregrine Treks and Expedition, which is the most significant expedition operator in Nepal, said that 40 climbers had registered already with them to climb Mount Everest. On the other hand, on Thursday, 26 climbers canceled their plans due to the global outbreak of COVID-19.
Updated on 13 March 2020