The Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday decided to stop issuing on-arrival visas to Iranian nationals, citing ongoing tensions in West Asia.

“Recently, tensions have escalated between Iran and countries like the United States and Israel and this could increase the risk of people seeking asylum in several countries, including Nepal. So, we have decided not to issue on-arrival visas to Iranian nationals,” said Tikaram Dhakal, acting director general at Department of Immigration.

In a major escalation in the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28, targeting Iranian leadership and military infrastructure. There are no signs of the conflict stopping anytime soon.

Earlier, Iranian nationals could obtain Nepali visas on arrival. Following the decision by Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal to stop the on-arrival visas, Iranians will now have to obtain a visa from the Nepali embassy before travelling.

But the government decision will not affect Iranians holding diplomatic and official passports, according to Dhakal. The decision was made after an increase in the number of Iranians coming to Nepal amid escalating tensions. Home Ministry officials have cited security concerns as the reason for the decision.

The government decision aims to curb a potential surge of Iranian refugees, an official requesting anonymity told the Post.

According to the UNHCR, the United Nations’ refugee agency, up to 3.2 million Iranians have been temporarily displaced by ongoing war and this could lead many to seek asylum in several countries, including Nepal.

Nepal is already hosting urban refugees from Iran and other countries. Currently, a total 716 registered urban refugees from 10 countries—Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Somalia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iraq, Congo and Togo—are taking shelter in Nepal.

“This is a proactive decision to stop Iranian nationals from entering Nepal amid ongoing tensions,” said Dhakal. “Iranians will now need to obtain a visa from the Nepali embassy. The process of granting on-arrival visas, which they were previously receiving, will be stopped for now."

Meanwhile, the US and Israel continue their attacks, and Iran has also been launching attacks on American bases in the Middle East. So far, 1,348 people, including both VIPs and ordinary citizens, have been killed in Iran due to the US-Israeli attacks, according to reports.

According to the Department of Immigration, Nepal had previously stopped issuing on-arrival visas for nationals of Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Syria, and refugees with travel documents. From Friday, Iran has also been added to the list.

Similarly, individuals with refugee status travel documents will now be required to obtain a visa from a Nepali embassy abroad in order to enter Nepal. This means refugees or those holding travel documents under refugee status can no longer enter Nepal without a visa, and must obtain one before arrival.