By Purushottam Khatri, Kathmandu, Apr. 8: The Department of Immigration (DoI) has suspended all its visa services till April 15, owing to the extended nationwide lockdown.

Issuing a press statement Wednesday, the Department took the decision to this effect, in line with the decision of Ministry of Home Affairs.

Director and spokesperson at the Department, Ramchandra Tiwari said that the Department had requested all the service recipients to remain patient regardless of their visa term.

The government on Tuesday had suspended  all international flights till April 30.

According to Tiwari, the Department also suspended all its front-door services till April 15.

As per the decision of the Ministry, foreigners possessing a valid visa till March 21, 2020 and willing to return to their country within the lockdown period or within seven days after the regular service resumes will be exempted of visa fee, late fee or penalties.

According to Tiwari, such visas could be regulated from Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) at the time of departure.

"The foreigners willing to extend their stay in Nepal are subjected to pay only the regular visa fees without any additional penalties," He said.  

Such visas will be valid till March 21 and can be regulated from the DoI, within seven days after the regular service resumes, said Tiwari.

However, visas which expired prior to March 21 are subjected to usual late fees and penalties as per the existing immigration laws.