Immigration Department Implements New Procedures for Trekking Permits in Restricted Areas

Kathmandu. The Department of Immigration has implemented new arrangements in the process of trekking permits for foreign nationals in restricted areas of 13 districts. According to the department, all trekking permit related works will now be completed through the online system. To facilitate service recipients, the department has now made arrangements to apply for trekking permits based on visa application numbers in addition to visa numbers. Furthermore, the department has stated that trekking permits will now be issued even for a single trekker. The department has published another schedule after the government recently decided to give public holidays on Saturdays and Sundays, causing problems for tourists and trekking agencies obtaining trekking permits. The department has decided to keep the office open for trekking permits for two hours, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, on public holidays other than Saturdays. This arrangement is expected to make the process of obtaining permits for trekkers more predictable and faster. Since all trekking permit processes will be done online, service recipients will no longer need to be physically present at the department. Trekking Without Permit The Department of Immigration has expressed serious concern over the illegal activities being carried out by some trekking agencies. It has been found that some agencies, under the pretext of rescuing trekkers, pressure staff at any time, take trekkers to restricted areas without permits, and apply for permits only after being found by the local administration. The department believes that such activities increase the risk of innocent tourists facing legal action and negatively impact the promotion of tourism and the international image of Nepal. The department has once again urged all trekking agencies to take foreign tourists for trekking only after obtaining trekking permits.