Nepal’s new tourist tracking system, FNMIS, explained what you need to know
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Nepal has launched the Foreign Nationals Management Information System (FNMIS), a nationwide digital registration system to track the foregin national in Nepal. The system FNMIS records and tracks foreign visitors from their arrival to their departure from Nepal. The government says the system will improve tourist safety, emergency evacuations and response if missing, visa compliance, and tourism data quality.
FNMIS is designed as a national record-keeping and coordination system that consolidates existing information related to foreign nationals and their internal movement within Nepal. Its primary purpose is to enable timely assistance and effective response during emergencies, disasters, and crises, to support lawful investigation of crime, to enhance national security, and to improve inter-agency coordination among government bodies. The system also contributes to tourism promotion by contributing the evidence based tourisim planning and maintaining Nepal as a safe, reliable, and visitor-friendly destination.
It is important to note that FINMIS does not collect any additional personal data beyond what is already obtained through existing immigration procedures and lawful service-provider records. It is neither a surveillance nor a spying mechanism, does not initiate any new immigration requirements or obligations for foreign nationals, and does not interfere with lawful freedom of movement. The system also allows secure system-to-system integration through APIs for authorised institutions, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in data exchange so that foreign nationals do not have to provide any further documents or information to any service provider other than existing practices.
What FNMIS is designed to do
FNMIS is a centralised information system for tourists who visit Nepal. The system collects and manages data between government tourists and serving agencies, including visa types, entry and exit dates, and other status information, in a single digital database accessible to immigration and relevant agencies. Its main purposes include:
- Visa and permit tracking: Monitoring visa validity, renewals, and overstays to improve compliance with immigration law. In the past, there have been many cases of overstays and other criminal activity by foreign nationals in Nepal.
- Crime prevention and security: Providing authorities with better tools to identify and respond to potential criminal activity involving foreign nationals.
- Emergency response and safety: Helping locate and support foreign nationals during natural disasters, accidents, or other emergencies, including in remote areas.
- Emergency response and safety: Data sharing between agencies: Allowing immigration, police, and security bodies to access the same core records for decision-making and tourism management.
Who must use FNMIS
The system relies on institutions that interact with foreign nationals to report data directly into FNMIS. Reports describe a phased but it aimed to implement all sectors of service providers.
- Star-rated hotels (Phase 1) started since January 1: It aims to implement in Kathmandu Valley 5-star hotels, then extend nationwide. These hotels must register foreign guests with FNMIS rather than their manual registration systems.
- Airlines (Phase 2) will start from March 01: Airlines serving Nepal are required to integrate with FNMIS as part of the broader monitoring framework for foreign visitors.
- Travel tour and Trekking companies will start from March 01:: Travel agencies and tour operators are expected to report foreign clients digitally as part of the institutional reporting requirement.
- Further institutions will start from March 01::Later phases aim to cover all guest houses, trekking agencies, schools, NGOs, and other entities that host or work with foreign nationals.
How can tourists use FNMIS
If you are a tourist visiting Nepal, the Foreign National Monitoring Information System (FNMIS) acts as a digital companion to your visa. The system aims to reduce the paperwork and keep track of tourist movements track with systematic way. Once you get the visa at the airport, you can get the single digital ID (a QR code) to check in and out of services.
1. Registration (Pre-Arrival or On-Arrival)
You can register before you even land in Nepal to save time.
- Access: Use the official Department of Immigration (DOI) mobile app or the NepaliPort portal.
- Details: You will enter your passport information, visa details, and initial contact info.
- The Token: The system sends a 6-digit token to your phone or email to verify your account. You can use your email to get this code because you will not have a phone number there.
2. Getting Your Digital ID (QR Code)
Once your details are verified by the Department of Immigration, you will be able to get your Personal QR Code
- QR Code: A unique QR Code is generated within your app.
- QR Code saving and using This code is your “Digital ID” for the duration of your stay. You should keep it handy on your phone (or a printed copy). You can use this later whenever another service provider asks for it.
3. How You Will Use the QR Code
Once your details are verified by the Department of Immigration, you will be able to get your Personal QR Code
- Hotel Check-ins: At your hotel or guest house check-in, the provider will scan your QR code to update the system.his automatically updates the central system with your location—no more handwriting your passport details into guest ledgers.
- Domestic Flights & Trekking: If you take a domestic flight or book a trekking package with an agency, those services will also update your visit in the database.
- National Parks Entry: You may also be asked to show the QR code at entry points to national parks or restricted areas of the trek.
- Money Exchange: Authorised money changers will use the system to log currency transactions.
