Immigration Department Arrests Travel Agency Operator for Soliciting Funds from Seasonal Visa Applicants

Kathmandu. The Department of Immigration has arrested the operator of a travel agency who was soliciting money from individuals planning to go abroad on seasonal visas. The arrested individual is Jagat Gurung, operator of KNC International Pvt Ltd Travels located in Lazimpat, originally from Lamjung.

Director of the Department of Immigration, Tikaram Dhakal, told Ratopati that Gurung was arrested from Lazimpat with the assistance of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police. He is accused of demanding NPR 110,000 from a couple seeking to go abroad on seasonal visas, claiming it was needed for 'settling matters at immigration.' Director Dhakal stated that NPR 100,000 in cash was also recovered from Gurung at the time of his arrest while receiving money from those seeking to go abroad. He said, 'We arrested him along with the cash.'

Dhakal explained that those going to South Korea for agricultural work for 6 to 8 months on a seasonal visa do not need to obtain a labor permit. The Tribhuvan International Airport Immigration Office also grants easy departure permission to those holding such visas.

However, the accused allegedly demanded the money, claiming that the labor permit would only be issued after the couple paid the amount, and that money also needed to be paid at the immigration desk. Director Dhakal stated that the accused would be handed over to the police for further investigation and action.