The government of Nepal has decided to halt visa-on-arrival services for Iranian citizens visiting the country due to the US–Iran conflict in West Asia. This decision aims to prevent a surge of Iranian visitors into Nepal amidst the ongoing regional tensions. The Ministry of Home Affairs, based on the Department of Immigration’s recommendation, made this move to safeguard national security interests.
Under the new directive, Iranian nationals, except those with official or diplomatic passports, must now obtain a visa from a Nepali Embassy or diplomatic mission abroad before entering Nepal. This decision brings the total number of countries whose citizens do not qualify for visa-on-arrival in Nepal to 13. The list includes nations like Nigeria, Ghana, Afghanistan, and others.
Nepal is concerned about a potential rise in foreign nationals seeking refugee status upon arrival in the country. In the past, Nepal has hosted Rohingya and Bhutanese refugees. The recent decision regarding Iranian nationals aligns with Nepal’s immigration regulations governing entry procedures for specific nationalities.
When asked if the visa policy change was in response to US security worries about Iranian nationals in Nepal, Director General Tiwari clarified that there had been no diplomatic communication from the US regarding any such concerns. This measure is part of Nepal’s efforts to manage entry procedures for certain nationalities, as per the Department of Immigration.
