Kathmandu, 16 Nov: Passengers flying abroad from Tribhuvan International Airport will no longer be allowed to be arbitrarily turned back by airline companies. Except in cases where passengers lack legally required documents, airlines will be held fully responsible for any losses caused due to unjustified denial of boarding, including compensation. Immigration Department Director General Ram Chandra Tiwari informed that airlines had been sending passengers back from the airport without issuing boarding passes on various pretexts, prompting stricter regulations.
“From now on, if an airline decides to offload a passenger at the airport, they must provide a written explanation to the passenger and the immigration office,” Tiwari said. “If a passenger has all required documents and is still denied boarding, the airline will be held accountable. We are issuing a circular to all concerned parties.”
More than a hundred passengers heading to destinations like Dubai, Qatar, and Malaysia were offloaded last Thursday without clear reason — an issue currently under investigation, according to Tiwari.
Immigration Policy Reforms to Protect Passengers
On the recommendation of the Immigration Department, the Home Ministry amended the “Visit Visa Guidelines 2080” on October 30, removing the previously strict provisions. The department has enforced internal directives stating that if a passenger meeting all requirements is turned back from the immigration desk without valid reason, the officer responsible will face action.
The old guidelines required a passport, visa, USD 500 in foreign currency, round-trip ticket, hotel booking, family relationship documents for those staying with relatives, and a declaration for Gulf-bound travelers. These strict rules had led to scams where brokers collected money to manipulate the system. Amid growing complaints, the controversial rules were revised to allow departure with just a valid passport, visa, one-way ticket, and a self-declaration form.
After these reforms, complaints from passengers have decreased and illegal networks have started to decline. However, Tiwari remarked that some individuals dissatisfied with the changes seem intent on obstructing travelers again.
Airlines and Immigration Under Scrutiny for Collusion and Scams
During a meeting held on Friday with representatives of Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Fly Dubai, Himalayan Airlines, Nepal Airlines, Air Arabia, and other carriers, the Immigration Department demanded written reasons for recent offloading incidents.
According to the department, corrupt practices involving immigration officers, airlines, police, travel agencies, manpower companies, and consultancies have been exposed in the past. One significant case involved former Immigration Chief Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, who was arrested in June 2025 for allegedly colluding with a network involved in visit visa trafficking and extortion.
Tiwari stated, “Reform measures are being implemented, and if immigration officers turn back passengers without cause, they will be punished. Airlines that refuse to issue boarding passes without reason will also face action. We’re coordinating closely with all parties to ensure transparency.”
