According to the Department of Immigration (DoI), a total of 10,030 foreigners have extended their visas in the last six days to stay back in Nepal. While world have issued travel bans to stop the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, 10,000 foreigners are stranded in Nepal.
The travel bans all over the world led most of the foreigners to stay in Nepal. DoI also stated that the foreigners whose visas have been extended for the time being will be sent back to their respective countries after 10 days if there is no travel restriction in their countries.
DoI, in its notice today, has said that it has halted all its visa services with effect from today till April 3. The department clarified that the services have been halted taking into consideration the spread of the coronavirus.
“The government has decided to shut down all the non-essential services. Following the direction of the government to avoid gatherings and maintaining social distance, we have suspended all visa services for 10 days,” said Ram Chandra Tiwari, information officer of DoI.
Tiwari further said that the department will make arrangements to send back foreigners to their home countries after April 3. Foreigners whose visas were valid till March 21 will receive the department’s services free of cost.
“However, foreigners whose visas had expired before March 21 will have to pay the usual late fees and penalties as per the existing immigration laws,” Tiwari said.
According to Tiwari, foreigners have to compulsorily contact the department for visa regulation within seven days after regular services are resumed.
