KATHMANDU, Feb 13: The Department of Immigration (DoI) announced on Tuesday that its service hours were extended with immediate effect for enhanced visa processing.

The DoI will now operate seven days a week, from 8 AM to 8 PM, expanding beyond its previous schedule of 10 AM to 5 PM, which also included closures on public holidays.

Rudra Singh Tamang, the Director General of the DoI, stated that the extension aims to streamline and expedite services for individuals both within Nepal and abroad. “With the introduction of the e-visa system, we have seen an increase in applications from overseas. Considering the time zone differences, particularly with continents like Europe and America, it was necessary to adjust our operating hours to address delays in visa processing,” he explained.

Director General Tamang expressed optimism that the more accessible visa services will boost the arrival of tourists in Nepal. A notice issued by the DoI stated that services such as pre-arrival e-visa application and approval, tourist visa extensions, conversions from non-tourist to tourist visas, non-tourist visa issuance, and trekking permits will be available during the new extended hours.

Applicants are encouraged to consult the DoI website for detailed information on the e-visa application and collection process. According to the notice, visa fee payments before 10 AM and after 5 PM must be made online, a decision that Director General Tamang explained was taken to align with banks' operating hours.

He added that payments could be made through bank apps, Phone Pay, Connect IPS, and digital wallets like Khalti and e-Sewa, emphasizing that currently, only services linked to the Comptroller General's Office's revenue accounting system are accepted for payments. “Should additional wallets integrate with the revenue accounting system, they too will be eligible for payment processing,” Tamang remarked.

To accommodate the extended service hours, permanent staff will be utilized, with provisions for overtime compensation as per the guideline issued by the Ministry of Finance. Tamang mentioned that employees residing nearby would be scheduled for evening shifts.

He also noted the flexibility for remote work during emergencies, highlighting the department's shift towards an online system and its goal for a future "faceless" operation.

 
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