Nepal has launched Foreign Nationals Management Information System (FNMIS), a nationwide digital registration system run by Nepal’s Department of Immigration that records all foreign visitors from visa application to their departure from the country. It is linked to hotels, airlines, trekking agencies and money changers, so that all required registrations and check‑ins are automatically captured in one central database.
After completing the digital registration, every traveler receives a unique QR code that is directly tied to their identity and visa details. In practice, this QR code functions as a digital ID: it is scanned at hotel check‑ins, for domestic flights and other travel‑related services, allowing the authorities to follow visitors’ stays without extra forms or paperwork.
BUT…. the app is not active yet, more info below
Launch dates and rollout phases
According to official announcements, FNMIS starts in phases from early 2026.
- January 1, 2026: FNMIS is launched and becomes mandatory for foreign visitors as a digital registration and monitoring system.
- Phase 1: Initial focus on star-rated hotels in Kathmandu Valley, replacing paper-based registers with digital reporting into FNMIS.
- March 1, 2026 (Phase 2): Expansion to cover star hotels nationwide, airlines, travel companies, and money exchange services, with a plan to extend further to guest houses, trekking agencies, and other institutions in subsequent phases.
What FNMIS is designed to do
FNMIS is a centralized information system for foreign nationals in Nepal. It collects and manages data such as 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.
- Accurate data collection: Maintaining up-to-date records of foreign visitors in a standardized, digital format.
- 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.
- Data sharing between agencies: Allowing immigration, police, and security bodies to access the same core records for decision-making and tourism management.
Who must integrate with FNMIS
The system relies on institutions that interact with foreign nationals to report data directly into FNMIS. Reports describe a phased but mandatory integration for several sectors.
- Star-rated hotels (Phase 1): Initially in Kathmandu Valley, then extended nationwide, these hotels must register foreign guests in the system instead of relying solely on manual registers.
- Airlines (Phase 2): Airlines serving Nepal are required to integrate with FNMIS as part of the broader monitoring framework for foreign visitors.
- Travel and tour companies: Travel agencies and tour operators are expected to report foreign clients digitally as part of the institutional reporting requirement.
- Money exchange services: Currency exchange businesses are included in the integration plan to support monitoring and compliance.
- Further institutions: Later phases aim to cover all guest houses, trekking agencies, schools, NGOs, and other entities that host or work with foreign nationals.
How to Register for FNMIS (2026)
Important: As of today, the FNMIS registration system for foreign visitors — including the QR‑code feature mentioned in government announcements — is not yet functioning. The Government of Nepal has announced the system, but the actual foreign‑visitor registration portal has not been released.
What is available are the official Department of Immigration mobile apps, which are expected to include FNMIS features once the system becomes active later in 2026.
Official Immigration Apps
- iOS (Apple App Store): Department of Immigration – Nepal
- Android (Google Play): Department of Immigration – Nepal
What Travelers Need to Know Right Now
- The FNMIS registration system for tourists is not live yet.
- The Department of Immigration apps currently support visa services only — no FNMIS registration or QR‑code functions are available.
- For now, only a limited number of star‑rated hotels in Kathmandu appear to be actively integrated with FNMIS, while most hotels, tour operators and trekking agencies are still waiting for clear tools and procedures.
- The government is expected to activate the foreign‑visitor registration system later in 2026, but no public date has been announced.
Once the system officially launches, travelers will be able to register digitally and receive a QR code through the Department of Immigration’s platforms. Until then, no action is required from visitors, and all standard entry procedures remain unchanged.
The data collected through FNMIS supports several operational tasks for Nepali authorities.
- Monitoring stays and overstays: Real-time tracking allows automated reminders about visa expiry, extension procedures, and other compliance requirements to be sent to foreign visitors.
- Security checks and investigations: Consolidated records help law enforcement and immigration assess patterns or incidents involving foreign nationals more efficiently.
- Tourist safety and rescue: In the event of emergencies, FNMIS provides a clearer picture of where foreign nationals are likely to be staying or travelling, which can speed up search, rescue, and support operations.
- Policy and planning: Aggregated, anonymized data can be used for tourism planning, migration policy, and infrastructure decisions.
What changes for travelers in 2026
For foreign visitors, FNMIS introduces new digital requirements but keeps the core travel experience intact.
- Mandatory use of the official app: Visitors must use the Department of Immigration’s FNMIS mobile app and obtain a QR code as part of the entry process.
- More digital, less paper: Hotels and other integrated institutions will increasingly rely on FNMIS rather than paper registers for foreign guest records.
- Closer coordination with airlines and services: As integration expands, airlines, travel agencies, and money exchangers will work within the same system for foreign national management.
- Improved information flow: Visitors can expect more structured information on visa validity, extensions, and compliance, delivered digitally through the system.
FNMIS is a significant shift toward digital immigration and visitor management in Nepal. It is already live as of January 1, 2026, with enforcement and coverage increasing from March 1, 2026, and further phases planned to bring more sectors and regions into the system.
