The Department of Immigration (DoI) has said it will strictly implement the laws that bar foreigners on tourist visa from taking part in political activities.

The Immigration law allows authorities to deport foreigners on tourist visa with a blanket ban of 10 years from visiting the country, if they are found engaging in political activities. The DoI has issued a notice that says the foreigners might be ineligible to enter Nepal forever or for up to 10 years. 

The decision comes in the wake of deportation and arrest of two foreigners in recent weeks. The Home Ministry had recently deported a Canadian national, Robert Penner, charging him with “inciting disharmony through social media”. In case of Penner, the ministry had cancelled his work visa and asked him to leave in two days.  

During a protest of the Madhesi and Janajati alliance, Martin Travers, a British national, was arrested on Monday from a protest site outside Singha Durbar. He was detained for his alleged involvement in an anti-government protest but was released after no substantial evidence in the charge was found.

“We have been hearing cases of active political involvement of foreigners, which is illegal,” said Kedar Neupane, director general of the DoI. “If they are found doing things besides the purpose mentioned in the visa, their visa will be cancelled and they might be fined Rs50,000 and deported.” 

The Immigration Rules and Procedures-2008 states that no foreigner is allowed to be involved in politics or any paid activity if they came to Nepal on tourist, student, press and residential visas.