Visit visa scandal: High-level panel assigned nine tasks

KATHMANDU: The Government has issued a comprehensive nine-point mandate to the newly formed high-level study and investigation committee aimed at addressing issues related to immigration and visit visas.

Chaired by former Chief Secretary Shankhar Das Bairagi, the committee has been tasked with conducting an in-depth study and factual investigation into the management of immigration and the facilitation of international travel for both inbound and outbound travelers.

Based on its findings, the committee is expected to propose immediate and long-term policy, legal, and structural reforms.

According to Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, the committee will not interfere with the ongoing investigation by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) but will instead focus on delivering actionable recommendations in the following areas:

1. Comprehensive Reform Plan: Study, analyze, and investigate current challenges in immigration and visa processes, and recommend policy, legal, and structural reforms with both short-term and long-term strategies to ease international travel.

2. Review of Legal Frameworks: Propose amendments or revisions to existing laws, regulations, procedures, and standards related to immigration and visa systems, including draft proposals where necessary.

3. Institutional and Human Resource Improvements: Recommend structural reforms and improvements in human resource management within the immigration system.

4. Inter-Agency Coordination: Suggest measures to enhance coordination and cooperation among relevant agencies to prevent obstacles in immigration management and travel facilitation.

5. Adoption of Global Best Practices: Study international best practices in immigration management and suggest context-appropriate implementation strategies for Nepal.

6. Visa Misuse and Illegal Stay Prevention: Recommend preventive measures and solutions for issues arising from misuse of visit, labor, and other visa types, including challenges faced by Nepali citizens living illegally abroad.

7. Technology Integration: Suggest ways to make the immigration system more technology-friendly, efficient, transparent, and fast, thereby improving service delivery.

8. Stakeholder Role Definition: Provide recommendations on clearly defining and organizing the roles of various stakeholders and institutions involved in international travel processes.

9. Data Security and Record Management: Propose measures for secure, accurate, and reliable management of immigration records and data.

The Home Minister added that the committee has been authorized to define its own procedures and to collect suggestions and feedback from all concerned stakeholders.