US Tightens Visa Screening For Nepalis Following Visit Visa Scandal

The US Embassy in Nepal has made it harder for Nepalis to get visit visas. This change comes after a big scandal was uncovered at Tribhuvan International Airport.

According to reports, millions of rupees were being illegally taken from Nepali citizens trying to go abroad on visit visas. Officials, including immigration staff and even people close to Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, are believed to be involved.

Each day, more than 5 million rupees were reportedly being collected from travelers with the help of airport officials, including the immigration chief, Tirtharaj Bhattarai. The anti-corruption body, CIAA, is now investigating the case.

Even as more big names get linked to this scam, major political parties—Nepali Congress and CPN-UML—are defending the accused. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba are supporting Minister Lekhak. Because of this, Parliament sessions have been disturbed, as the opposition is demanding the minister’s resignation.

In the middle of all this, the US Embassy announced on Wednesday that it will now carry out strict security checks before giving visas to Nepali citizens. Every applicant will be checked against police and anti-terrorism databases. No one will get a visa until all checks are clear.

The embassy said protecting the US is a top priority, and anyone who seems like a risk will not be allowed in.