As per the immigration department, 1,985 Indians touristed Nepal last month while 2,192 SAARC tourists landed in Nepal.

Additionally, 1,244 US travelers, 416 tourists from England, and 253 Chinese travelers visited Nepal during August.

Nepal’s tourism sector, which is one of the most significant sectors in the country, was impacted adversely by COVID-19.

After the first wave ended, the hospitality sector was gathering steam. However, the country’s second wave emergence dashed the hopes of the sector.

Stay Tuned to NepaliSansar for Latest Nepal Tourism News Updates!

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• Nepal Cricket Head Coach Dave Whatmore Resigns

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But on Saturday, immigrants and children of immigrants breathed a sigh of relief after democratic nominee Joe Biden won the 2020 US Presidential Elections.

The immigrant communities, including Nepali communities, in the US have expressed their joy after Joe Biden defeated incumbent President Donald Trump with a huge majority.

Also Read | Joe Biden Becomes 46th President of the US After Beating Trump!

The Nepali community has especially elated with the new government’s policy on health insurance, gun control, minimum wage increment, and strategy for COVID-19 control, among other topics.

“Joe Biden’s victory has encouraged us, the Nepali Americans, to have hope and confidence. This election has again proved that America is a land of possibilities and opportunities,” said Maryland General Assembly Delegate Harry Bhandari.

Bhandari added that the children of Nepali immigrants in the country are also delighted as Kamala Harris, a daughter of immigrant parents, has become the Vice President.

Harry Bhandari is the first Nepali immigrant to be elected to the General Assembly of Maryland.

It is believed that a recent bill in favor of immigrants tabled by the Democratic Party Senators would be implemented with Biden’s victory.

The bill facilitates the immigrants with the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to get US citizenship with a Green Card. It is estimated that the bill would benefit around 10,000 Nepali immigrants.

Hari Sharma, who is in US politics, expressed his confidence that Biden’s Government will further strengthen the Nepal-US relationship. He added that the victory over Donald Trump had re-established the uniqueness of American diversity.

Joe Biden is scheduled to be inaugurated as the 46^th President of the US on January 20, 2021.

Stay Tuned to NepaliSansar for Latest Nepal-US News!

More News:

• US Stands to Address Nepal’s Inquires on MCC Compact!
• Kamala Harris Becomes First Woman, First Black, First South Asian US Vice President
• US State Department Opens the 2022 Diversity Visa Program! Apply Now!

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The US Department of State has opened its website for the 2022 Diversity Visa Program (DV-2022).

According to the US Embassy in Kathmandu, the entry submission period for DV-2022 is from 2:00 PM EDT (11:45 PM local time) on October 7, 2020, to 12:00 PM EST (10:45 PM local time) on November 10, 2020.

Visit the DVProgram website and fill the Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV) entry form. Applicants should submit the entry form during the mentioned period only.

Also Read: Nepal, Fifth Largest Foreign Community to Receive US H-1B Visa

Diversity Visa-2022 Instructions:

• Applicants will be disqualified for not completing the entry form correctly or by submitting more than one entry.
• Applicants must be natives of countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.
• The applicant’s name should be entered exactly as it appears on the passport.
• Applicants must meet the education/work experience requirements of the DV program.
• It is recommended to complete the entry form yourself, without a “visa consultant,” “visa agent,” or other facilitators who offer help.
• Retain your confirmation page, the unique confirmation number, and access to your email account listed in the entry form
• Print confirmation page for records
• Failure to list your eligible spouse or listing someone who is not your spouse will make you ineligible for DV.
• Failure to list all children who are unmarried and under the age of 21 will make you ineligible for a DV
• DV entry photographs must be of the same quality and composition as US visa photos. Do not submit a photograph of older than six months.

The applicants will be able to check the status of their entry from May 8, 2021. Visit DVProgram, click on ‘Entrant Status Check,’ and entering your unique confirmation number and personal information.

Also Read: US Embassy Clarifies Confusions on US Visa Law!

Entrant Status Check is the only source for instructions on how to proceed with your application if you are selected. The American Government will not inform you directly.

Stay Tuned to NepaliSansar for Latest US Visa News!

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The Embassy had put a check to a few news stories that have published misleading information about US visas. It said that the Nepali Communist Party members are not automatically barred from traveling or immigrating to the US, but each visa case is adjudicated individually.

Recently, the US Citizens and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued administrative guidance to the USCIS officers for the immigration applications of foreigners already within the US. This news has sparked confusion.

According to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INC), passed by the US Congress in 1952, people are barred from immigration to the US based on membership in or affiliation with Communist or any other totalitarian party.

Also Read| US Embassy In Nepal to Resume Visa Services ASAP!

However, the US Embassy clarified that the law features many exceptions and waivers, allowing party members to immigrate to the US, if qualified. It said that the INA does not impact people wanting to visit the US temporarily with a non-immigrant visa.

Also Read| Nepal, Fifth Largest Foreign Community to Receive US H-1B Visa

“The US welcomes those with diverse backgrounds and beliefs to apply for visas.  We also respect Nepal’s multiparty democracy and will continue to work with the country’s elected government and people to advance bilateral ties and strengthen democracy as we’ve been doing for the past 73 years,” stated the Embassy.

Stay Tuned to NepaliSansar for US-Nepal News!

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On the back of coronavirus pandemic, the Nepali Government has suspended all international and domestic flights till May 31, 2020.

However, the TIA management has taken advantage of the lockdown period to renovate and improve the airport before resuming the flight operations.

The management has enhanced the facilities of both domestic and international terminals and other locations to help people maintain social distancing and hygiene at the airport.

According to the TIA Spokesperson Dev Chandra Lal Karna, the TIA is implementing safety and hygiene measures for all activities including boarding, managing passengers and security checking processes on par with the WHO guidelines.

The New Features of TIA include

• Runway extended from 3 km to 3.3 km
• Parking bays increased from 9 to 13
• 6 New departure terminals
• Old departure lounge demolished to expand the international apron
• Immigration area renovated
• New covered walkway
• Special social distancing marking

The post Nepal Int’l Airport Leverages COVID-19 Lockdown appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

Yes, Nepal’s prestigious campaign is all set for launch on January 01, 2020 across all the seven provinces of the country.

The campaign will go live simultaneously in all provinces from Dasarath Stadium in Kathmandu.

Addressing the VNY 2020 Main Program Committee on November 25, 2019, the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai said all states will set up offices in one week to support the VNY 2020 Secretariat.

As part of promotional activities, the Nepal Government will be working with the Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) communities to get the VNY 2020 logo displayed across skyscrapers across the world.

Bhattarai informed that the international launch of VNY 2020 will happen in Nepali embassies and diplomacy missions globally, on January 07, 2020, and will also be promoted across international media outlets.

ALSO READ: 40 Countries’ Ministers to Attend Visit Nepal Year 2020 Inauguration Event

Preparations on Full Swing

The year-long campaign will begin with a formal inaugural to be done by President Bidhya Devi Bhandari followed by Prime Minister KP Oli’s special address to the nation.

All the promotional material for VNY 2020 will be available at the Tribhuvan International Airport for students, volunteers and migrant Nepali workers, who will further submit to their respective organizational heads.

Tourism ministers from around 40 nations are scheduled to attend the Visit Nepal 2020 campaign inaugural function.

“We have also invited popular celebrities and athletes to attend the inauguration ceremony,” adds Bhattarai.

Ishwar Raj Paudel, Director General of Department of Immigration, informed about their preparations to play promotional videos of VNY 2020 campaign within the flights 15 minutes ahead of their landing at TIA.

Related Article:

• Special Discount Offers of ‘Visit Nepal 2020’

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This is evident in the number of tourists visiting the country throughout the year. Tourism is the major contributor to the Nepali economy.

So, Nepali visa is no doubt a special need for travellers across the world. Other than India, every other country would require a visa to enter or stay in Nepal.

Here, we will look into the case of Nepali visa for the United States tourists.

American nationals can get Nepali visa in two ways:

1. Advance visa at the Embassy
2. Get visa on arrival at the entry ports into Nepal from neighboring nations

1) Advance Visa at the Embassy

This is the traditional way of getting visa.

The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal issues Nepali visas at its different US offices in Washington DC, Sun Valley (Idaho), San Francisco (California), Chicago (Illinois), Boston (Massachusetts), Baltimore (Maryland) and Manhattan (New York City).

These visas taken from embassy offices are valid only for six months period and for up to 90 days in Nepal.

The process begins with filling in the application form online at the https://us.nepalembassy.gov.np/tourist-visa/ website.

Following this, the filled application form along with tracking id should be sent to the consular offices either by registered mail or courier or to be dropped at the nearest embassy office along with the respective fee. If sent by mail, the mail should include a prepaid return envelope.

Payment of the visa fee should be in money order with at least one-year validity, along with application and required documents. The money order should be payable to the Embassy of Nepal and should have full name of the applicant and address on the back of it.

2) Visa on Arrival

Applying for visa on arrival at border points or entry points into Nepal is again done in two ways.

Simplest way to do is make the application on arrival. To assist tourists, Nepal Government has made provisions for quick processing of applications at the airports and arrival points across the borders.

These forms at entry points can be filled through kiosks at the Tribhuvan International Airport or through the Department of Immigration website http://nepalimmigration.gov.np/.

If submitting online, upload your photo and you will get a barcode to be submitted in print at the immigration desk on arrival. This barcode is valid only for 15 days from the date of application submission.

If using kiosks, the application will be processed to the terminal at the immigration desk and will be reverified against the passport number and printed slip. Kiosks also generate digital photo without the need for passport photos.

Payments in case of website process can be done at the nominated banks mentioned in the email confirmation you get after filling in the form. Don’t forget to carry the payment receipt and barcode to be submitted at the immigration desk along with your passport.

Payment at the entry points requires you to carry cash of any currency and the most accepted currency is USD. While the airport entry points have ATM services, you may not find one at border points.

When entering through the overland border checkpoints, it has to be noted that the border points will not have kiosks for processing applications. So, you will need to collect the visa application form from the immigration officer and fill it manually.

Visa on Arrival is only restricted to tourist visas, while all other types of visas will be processed through the Embassy office.

The main entry port for entering Nepal is Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Land border crossing points such as Nepalgunj, Birgunj/Raxaul Bazaar, Sunauli, Kakarbhitta and Mahendranagar are other options.

Dhangadhi is the entry route from India, while it is Gyirong Port/Rasuwagadhi Fort from the Chinese border.

What are you waiting for?

Get on to the best possible way and gear up to plan your trip to the Himalayan nation.

Nepal 2018 Tourist Arrivals: Top Countries

Stay tuned to NepaliSansar.com for more US Nepali news in English!

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The post A Complete Guide to Nepal Tourist Visa for US Citizens appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

The immigration authorities of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries gathered in Kathmandu today to discuss related issues concerning SAARC group.

This meeting of the Core Group of SAARC immigration authorities witnessed the participation of representatives of the immigration officials of the SAARC member states.

As part of the gathering, SAARC Secretary General Amjad Hussain B Sial held discussions with the group and visa experts at the SAARC Secretariat.

In his address, Sial informed that the SAARC member states are considering motor vehicles, railways’ agreements and air services related to the SAARC group for a strong regional integration.

The Secretary General urged for a strong infrastructure and ease in visa and immigration rules to benefit public through the aforementioned agreements.

Simplifying visa procedures is expected to boost intra-SAARC trade, strengthen economic ties between the SAARC member states and facilitate ways for achieving the goals of South Asian Economic Union (SAEU).

Eighth such meeting of the SAARC authorities also mandated the development of security software for electronic visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme.

The Scheme was launched during the 5^th SAARC Summit held in November 1990 in the Maldives with a goal of achieving visa-free regime in the region.

The post SAARC Authorities Discuss Immigration Services appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

With an aim to ensure a safe environment for the migrant workers, the labor-sending countries of Asia gathered in Kathmandu to prepare a joint action plan for the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) process.

The two-day meeting that began yesterday witnessed a participation of senior officials of the Colombo Process Member States (CPMS) that belong to Colombo Forum, a forum that works on management of overseas employment and contractual labor for countries of origins in Asia.

According to the organizers, plans to protect and promote the rights of CPMS’ migrant workers going abroad, while also enhancing migration governance and engaging in the GCM process will be discussed in the meeting.

In his inaugural address, Nepali Minister for Labor and Employment Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary said, “While the meeting will discuss on our common position and recommendations to move ahead, we must not forget that the migrants from our countries immensely contribute to the development, prosperity and diversity of the transit and destination countries.”

He further called upon the member countries stating, “It is an appropriate time to strongly raise the common concerns of our migrants and suggest better options to address the issue, which will also be beneficial for the transit and destination countries in better management of migrants and providing them services.”

The discussions and recommendations will move around five themes of Colombo Process such as fostering ethical recruitment, effective pre-departure orientation and empowerment of migrant workers, skills and qualification recognition processes of labor migrants, international labor market analysis and remittances.

Chaired by Nepal, Colombo Process is a Regional Consultative Process on migration with 12 Asian labor-sending countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam as its members.

Take-aways to be Presented Before UN

The officials are aimed at coming up with an action plan based on the take-aways of an expert-level meeting held on September 8, 2017 towards addressing GCM-related issues.

And, the meeting outcome will be presented at the regional UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific consultation in Bangkok and submitted to the GCM stocktaking meeting in Mexico.

The Ministry of Labor and Employment, Government of Nepal is hosting the meet with support from International Organization for Migration, Nepal (IOM) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

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The new policy will come into effect from October 1, 2017 and will be applicable to the applications in the following categories:

• Adjustment of status applications based on employment (Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status).
• Refugee/asylee relative petitions (Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition) for beneficiaries who are in the United States and are petitioning to join a principal asylee/refugee applicant.

Prior to the notification of the new policy, applicants for permanent residency in the above categories were not required to attend the in-person interview for the adjudication of their application.

USCIS plans to incrementally expand the interviews to other categories.

Acting USCIS Director James W. McCament said that, “This change reflects the Administration’s commitment to upholding and strengthening the integrity of our nation’s immigration system. USCIS and our federal partners are working collaboratively to develop more robust screening and vetting procedures for individuals seeking immigration benefits to reside in the United States.”

The new policy is likely to affect around 180,000 people per year and further lengthen the existing wait times for green card applications. As per the USCIS tracking tool, it took an average of 333 days for processing employment-based applications with interview waivers, as on September 30, 2016.

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