Kathmandu, September 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Nepal has begun deporting 88 Chinese nationals after they were found working at a meat-processing project in Sindhuli district on business visas issued for other purposes, while authorities are investigating 329 additional Chinese nationals who entered the country on tourist visas.
The Department of Immigration said the 88 nationals were working at Ziyan Foods Pvt. Ltd., which is developing the Nepal Heat-Processed Buffalo Meat Export to China Project in Marini Rural Municipality in financial partnership with Chengdu Tian Food Limited.
According to the department, the 88 Chinese nationals had obtained business visas based on recommendations for other companies but were found engaged in activities at Ziyan Foods that did not correspond with the purpose of their visas.
Department spokesperson Tikaram Dhakal said the visas of all 88 had been cancelled and deportation proceedings were underway. They will also be barred from entering Nepal for three years.
The violations came to light during a recent monitoring exercise conducted in coordination with concerned authorities. Officials found 501 Chinese nationals staying at the China-invested project.
Of these, 329 had entered Nepal on tourist visas and are now being screened for possible immigration violations. Dhakal said authorities were examining their travel histories, duration of stay and activities to determine whether they had worked at the facility while holding tourist visas.
“We are investigating and screening their travel histories, length of stay and activities to determine whether they have been working there while holding tourist visas. Necessary action will be taken in the next phase after the investigation is completed,” Dhakal said.
The inquiry began after the District Administration Office in Sindhuli alerted authorities to the unusually large presence of Chinese nationals at the meat-processing facility.
Dhakal said some of the 88 nationals had obtained business visas citing plans to establish restaurants or software companies, but were subsequently found working and staying at the meat-processing plant. Authorities also received complaints alleging that some activities were affecting the local environment and culture.
Nepal’s immigration rules permit business visas for foreign nationals licensed to invest in commercial or industrial ventures, authorised representatives of such institutions and foreigners purchasing Nepali-produced goods for export. Under the Immigration Rules, 1994, business visa holders are required to remain in Nepal for the purpose for which their visas were issued and cannot use them for employment, labour or unrelated activities.
The Immigration Department has directed foreign nationals to comply with the conditions of their visas and urged companies and employers not to employ foreigners without the appropriate visa and required approvals.
The department has also cautioned the company involved. Dhakal said discussions were underway on possible action against it, including a warning or directive, noting that it was the first such incident involving the company.
Chinese nationals have accounted for the largest share of deportations from Nepal in recent years. According to the Department of Immigration’s annual data, 695 Chinese citizens were deported between 2021 and 2025, representing 30.65 per cent of the 2,267 foreign nationals deported during the five-year period.
US citizens ranked second with 191 deportations, followed by Bangladesh with 145. The UK and Pakistan ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.
The department said the figures point to comparatively higher levels of immigration-law violations among nationals of some countries and highlight the need for continued monitoring of foreigners entering and staying in Nepal.
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