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Nepal Launches Digital Tracker for Foreign Visitors to Boost Safety and Security

Nepal has launched the Foreign Nationals Management Information System (FNMIS), a digital database to monitor foreign visitors in real-time from visa application to departure. The system requires hotels, airlines, travel agencies, and money exchangers to register, with initial implementation at star-rated hotels in Kathmandu. Authorities state it aims to control criminal activities involving foreigners, such as scams and unauthorized religious activities, while enhancing emergency rescue operations for tourists in remote areas. The rollout will expand nationwide by March 1, progressively covering all accommodation and service providers to ensure compliance with visa regulations and visitor safety.

Key Points: Nepal Implements Online System to Track Foreign Nationals

  • Real-time tracking from visa to exit
  • Mandatory for hotels, airlines, and service providers
  • Aims to prevent crimes and improve emergency response
  • Phased rollout nationwide by March 1
2 min read

Nepal implements online system to track foreign nationals

Nepal's new Foreign Nationals Management Information System (FNMIS) monitors visitors from visa entry to exit, aiming to enhance safety and curb crimes.

"One of the reasons behind implementing this system is to track foreign nationals in Nepal, enabling the government to control possible criminal activities involving them. – Tikaram Dhakal, Department of Immigration"

Kathmandu, Jan 1

Nepal has implemented the Foreign Nationals Management Information System to ensure the safety of foreign nationals visiting the country and to control potential crimes involving foreign nationals.

Developed by the Department of Immigration, the FNMIS is a nationwide digital database designed to collect real-time information on foreign nationals from the moment they apply for a visa until they leave the Himalayan nation.

All entities - including hotels, airlines, travel and trekking agencies, money exchange counters, and other service providers offering services to foreign nationals - are required to register in the system to ensure its effective implementation.

Although the department stated that the system would be mandatorily implemented at star-rated hotels within the Kathmandu Valley starting Thursday in the first phase, many other service providers had also registered with the system by Thursday afternoon. "As many as 1,416 tourism service providers, including hotels, travel companies, and money exchangers, joined the system by Thursday afternoon," Tikaram Dhakal, a Director at the department, told IANS.

As per the plans announced earlier by the immigration authority, the system will be implemented across all star-rated hotels nationwide, airlines, tour and travel companies, and money exchangers in the second phase, starting from March 1. It will then be progressively extended to all types of hotels, guest houses, and services provided by other public and private institutions.

"One of the reasons behind implementing this system is to track foreign nationals in Nepal, enabling the government to control possible criminal activities involving them," Dhakal said. "Another reason is to ensure prompt rescue operations for foreign tourists visiting remote and inaccessible parts of the Himalayan country during times of crisis."

He added that foreign nationals have been found involved in activities such as cryptocurrency transactions and dating-app scams under the cover of registered technology companies, religious conversion, and teaching the Quran and the Bible beyond the scope of their visa categories.

The department said the system mainly aims to ensure that foreigners engage only in activities permitted under their visa category, while improving visitor safety and emergency response mechanisms.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good initiative for security, but I hope the data privacy of tourists is protected. The mention of tracking religious teaching is interesting. Many Indians visit Nepal for pilgrimage; hope this doesn't create unnecessary hurdles for genuine devotees. 🙏
R
Rohit P
As an Indian who loves trekking in Nepal, I appreciate the focus on rescue operations. The Himalayas are unforgiving. A real-time system that can locate tourists in an emergency is a welcome step. More power to our neighbours!
S
Sarah B
While the safety rationale is sound, this level of tracking makes me uneasy. It's one thing for hotels to register guests, but requiring money exchangers and every service provider to report seems excessive. Could discourage budget travellers.
V
Vikram M
They are specifically targeting crypto and dating app scams run by foreigners. Good! These scams often originate from across the border and affect people in India too. Stronger regional cooperation on such digital crimes is needed.
K
Karthik V
The phased rollout is practical. Implementing this across all hotels and guest houses in Nepal is a massive task. Hope the infrastructure and training are in place. Wishing them success. From a tech perspective, it's a fascinating project.

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