KATHMANDU: Nepal has officially implemented the Foreign Nationals Management Information System (FNMIS) from January 1, marking a major shift in how the country tracks, manages, and safeguards foreign visitors amid growing concerns over security, overstays, and visa misuse.

The system was formally launched by the Minister for Home Affairs at a ceremony organised by the Department of Immigration (DoI) at the Nepal Police Club in Bhrikutimandap, ending years of debate over the need for a centralised digital mechanism to monitor the movement and activities of foreign nationals.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, FNMIS has been introduced to ensure the safety of foreign nationals, strengthen information management, control potential crimes, and support Nepal’s tourism promotion by improving coordination between immigration authorities, security agencies, and tourism stakeholders.

Phased mandatory implementation

Under an extremely urgent public notice issued by the Department of Immigration, the system became mandatory from January 1, 2026) in star-rated hotels within the Kathmandu Valley.

In the second phase, starting Falgun 17, 2082 (March 1, 2026), FNMIS will be expanded nationwide to include all star hotels, airlines, tours and travel companies, and money exchangers, before being gradually extended to all hotels, guest houses, and other public and private service providers catering to foreign nationals.

The department has directed all institutions providing services to foreign visitors to register immediately, warning that current enrollment remains low despite the limited time left for full enforcement. Registration guidelines and manuals have been made available on the DoI website.

Tourism sector cautiously welcomes move

Welcoming the launch, Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) General Secretary Sonam Gyaljen Sherpa said the system could significantly improve visitor safety, particularly for trekkers and adventure tourists traveling to remote regions.

However, he cautioned that implementation must remain hassle-free and should not undermine the privacy and personal liberty of visitors, stressing that excessive bureaucracy could negatively affect Nepal’s image as a friendly tourism destination.

Digital monitoring and visitor interface

The FNMIS builds on earlier plans for a digital foreign visitor tracking platform, now consolidated under a single national system. Foreign nationals are required to use the Department of Immigration mobile application, available on Android and iOS, to register their passport and visa details.

At hotels, airlines, travel agencies and other service points, visitors will scan QR codes generated by registered service providers, creating a secure digital log of their stay and activities. The system also sends SMS and app notifications seven and two days before visa expiry to help prevent overstays.

Immigration officials say the platform will allow faster response during emergencies, including search and rescue operations, while enabling real-time data sharing among authorities.

Linked to tighter immigration oversight

The rollout of FNMIS comes amid a broader push by immigration authorities to tighten oversight of foreign nationals. In recent months, the Department of Immigration has uncovered widespread misuse of study visas, exposing institutions that enrolled foreign nationals without legitimate academic programmes and failed to report violations.

Officials believe the new system will help close long-standing information gaps by allowing authorities to track whether foreign nationals are complying with the stated purpose of their visas, whether for tourism, study or business.

“The system is not intended to restrict genuine visitors,” the Department of Immigration said, “but to ensure accountability, safety and transparency while preserving Nepal’s reputation as a secure and welcoming destination.”

Industry-wide compliance urged

The Home Ministry has urged hotels, airlines, trekking and travel companies, educational institutions and financial service providers to comply without delay, warning that failure to enroll could invite regulatory action once the system is fully enforced.

As Nepal seeks to balance tourism growth with security and governance, FNMIS is being positioned as a long-term digital backbone for managing foreign nationals—one that authorities say will bring Nepal’s immigration monitoring in line with international standards.