Nepal unrest: Exit permits, visa transfers eased for foreign nationals

Authorities in Nepal have confirmed that foreign nationals with visas valid through September 8 are eligible for exit permits and visa regularisation without additional fees. The services can be availed either at immigration offices or at departure points. Officials have also arranged for visa transfers for those who have lost their passports during Gen Z unrest in Nepal. Travellers holding emergency passports or temporary travel documents issued by their embassies will have their visas moved to new documents in line with existing rules.

The Gen Z protests began September 8 in Kathmandu and quickly spread to other cities, including Pokhara, Butwal and Birgunj. Demonstrations escalated as thousands stormed parliament, prompting the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Several government buildings, luxury hotels, offices and private residences were set ablaze in the unrest. The search for an interim Prime Minister is ongoing, as the political crisis deepens in the wake of the protests.

Meanwhile, amid the turmoil, over 150 residents from Andhra Pradesh were evacuated and brought home by the state government. Many of them expressed gratitude to the state’s leaders for their intervention. Some evacuees recounted that their hotel in Pokhara had been set on fire, forcing them to take shelter elsewhere until help arrived.

“Our hotel in Pokhara was allegedly burnt, but Andhra Pradesh officials guided us to safety and brought us back home,” said K Murthy in a video message. Another passenger, P Srinivas, said his group of ten received timely assistance: “The government of Andhra Pradesh helped us reach Vizag safely,” he said.

A press release by the ruling TDP confirmed that a special flight carrying 154 evacuees landed in Visakhapatnam late on Thursday before continuing on to Tirupati.

“Telugu people stranded in Nepal have been safely brought back home on a special IndiGo flight, after two days of continuous rescue efforts,” the statement read. Of the passengers, 144 were from Kathmandu and ten from Pokhara, while 12 others were airlifted from Simikot to Nepalgunj. Twenty-two evacuees crossed into Bihar before being transported to the state.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday shortly after demonstrators forced their way into his office, blaming him for at least 19 deaths caused by police action during protests over corruption and a temporary social media ban. Although the ban was lifted the same night, violence carried on. Protesters torched parliament, the President’s Office, the Prime Minister’s residence, government buildings, political party offices, and homes of senior leaders.