Kathmandu : The Public Policy and Delegated Legislation Committee under the Parliament has stressed the need to replace the Nepal Immigration Act- 2049 BS with a new, updated law. According to the Committee, the current act no longer aligns with requirements for the hour.
At its meeting on Friday, the Committee urged the government to immediately introduce an auxiliary law to ensure the effective implementation of the existing act until a new one is drafted.
Briefing the media about the meeting conclusions, Committee Chairperson Maya Prasad Sharma reiterated the urgency of updating the law, stating that the 33-year-old act does not reflect current realities or technological advancements. While the recently implemented working procedure has led to some convenience, he emphasized that an auxiliary law consistent with the parent Act is still necessary.
“The Act of 2049 BS is no longer sufficient to address current challenges. Without the required subsidiary legislation, a significant gap persists between the law and its practical implementation,” he said.
Experts at the meeting were of the view that, under the Legislation Act, 2081, some existing laws may become inactive. They emphasized the urgent need for the government to prepare subsidiary legislation to maintain a relevant and coherent legal framework.
Former Chief Secretary Shankardas Bairagi, Constituent Assembly member Khimlal Devkota, Director General of Department of Immigration, Ramchandra Tiwari, and Chief Immigration Officer Narhari Ghimire shared their views on issues including national security, the use of technology, new visa categories, and improvements in immigration management.
Director General Tiwari underscored the need for monitoring the entry of foreign nationals and ensuring related security measures. The meeting also discussed simplifying the visa system, warning that overly strict procedures could push citizens to travel abroad through irregular routes via third countries.
