Nepal to Roll Out Nationwide Foreign Nationals Tracking System from March, Including Thousands of U.S. Citizens

After its launch in Kathmandu Valley earlier this year, Nepal is set to expand its new Foreign Nationals Management Information System (FNMIS) nationwide from March 1, 2026, according to the Department of Immigration (DoI). The digital system aims to manage data related to the entry, stay, and activities of foreign nationals visiting the country.

The department said the system was introduced on January 1 in the first phase, mandating all star-rated hotels in Kathmandu Valley to record and update foreign guest information through the new platform. From March, the FNMIS will be extended to hotels across the country, as well as airlines, tour operators, and money exchange counters. Officials plan to gradually include other businesses such as guesthouses, restaurants, and service providers in later stages.

“This system will greatly enhance the safety of foreign citizens, support criminal investigations, and facilitate emergency response and data access,” said DoI Director General Ramchandra Tiwari. “Foreign guests will not face any additional paperwork since hotels and service providers will input necessary details directly into the system.”

The FNMIS has been designed to improve the management and security of foreign nationals while addressing Nepal’s international obligations. The DoI, in coordination with the Consular Department, recently held an interaction program with consular officials from various embassies in Kathmandu to brief them on the system’s operation, data security protocols, and expected cooperation from diplomatic missions.

Consular Department Director General Durpada Sapkota emphasized that personal data confidentiality and protection are fully ensured under the new system. Foreign representatives attending the interaction raised questions about privacy, data security standards, and user responsibilities. Officials assured participants that the platform is transparent and tourist-friendly.

So far, over 1,500 service providers have already registered in the system. The department has urged all relevant stakeholders to join and has been conducting orientation and interaction programs in multiple provinces, including a recent session in Chitwan.

Enhancing security and tourism management

DoI spokesperson Tika Ram Dhakal said the development of the FNMIS had been part of the department’s annual plan for the past several fiscal years but was delayed due to technical challenges. “The system will strengthen record-keeping, regulate movement, and promote tourism,” he explained, adding that it would help monitor visa durations and activities of foreign nationals to curb crimes such as drug trafficking, human smuggling, and foreign currency misuse.

According to Dhakal, the system will automatically alert authorities when a foreign citizen’s visa expires, facilitating deportation and investigation processes. It will also help track locations and assist in search and rescue operations during emergencies. The system applies to all foreign nationals, including Indian citizens staying in hotels, whose details are registered as per existing regulations.

Nearly 1.16 million tourists visited Nepal in 2025

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, the country welcomed 1,158,459 foreign tourists in 2025—a 0.95 percent rise from 2024. India contributed the largest share with 292,438 visitors, followed by the United States with 112,316 and China with 95,480. Other major source countries included the United Kingdom (58,684), Bangladesh (57,545), Australia (49,357), and Sri Lanka (37,550).

In December 2025 alone, Nepal recorded 98,190 tourist arrivals. Of them, 30,093 came from India, 8,680 from China, 7,077 from the U.S., and smaller numbers from Bangladesh, Australia, Thailand, and the U.K. Compared to pre-pandemic 2019 arrivals, Nepal’s tourism sector has recovered to nearly 97 percent of its previous volume, the board reported.

With the new tracking system expected to be fully implemented nationwide, immigration authorities believe it will help modernize Nepal’s tourism management, strengthen national security, and offer a safer, more organized experience for visitors.