Nepal’s Department of Immigration has initiated the process of deporting 88 Chinese nationals who, despite holding Nepali business visas, were engaged in activities inconsistent with the purpose of their visas. In a press statement issued on Wednesday evening, the department stated that these individuals were working for Xian Foods Pvt. Ltd. This company is developing a project to export heat-processed buffalo meat from Nepal to China in partnership with Chengdu Tian Food Ltd. According to the department, while these 88 foreign nationals had obtained business visas under the names of other companies, they were found working at Xian Foods Pvt. Ltd. in roles that did not align with their visa conditions. Department of Immigration spokesperson Tikaram Dhakal confirmed that all the foreign nationals found violating immigration rules were Chinese citizens. He stated, “Their visas have been revoked, and we are in the process of deporting them from Nepal. They will be barred from entering Nepal for three years.” According to the department, a recent inspection conducted in coordination with relevant authorities revealed that the business visa holders were involved in activities unrelated to the specific work or investments for which their visas had been recommended and approved. The inspection found a total of 501 Chinese nationals present at the Chinese-invested project site. Dhakal indicated that further deportations might follow, as 329 of the 501 individuals had arrived in Nepal on tourist visas and are currently under investigation for potential violations of immigration regulations.
