Countries Blocking Visas for Nepalis Due to Routes Used by Traffickers to the U.S.

By Hom Lamsal

Several countries along routes used by human traffickers to transport Nepalis to the U.S. have either stopped issuing visas or made the process more stringent. These changes primarily affect countries like Ethiopia, El Salvador, Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Guatemala, Peru, Brazil, Chile, Nicaragua, and Panama. These countries are often used as transit points for traffickers leading Nepalis to the U.S., particularly via Mexico.

Reports indicate that Nepalis traveling through Peru and Chile often proceed via Nicaragua and Guatemala to reach Mexico overland. Similarly, Nepalis in African nations like Nigeria and Kenya have used these locations as stepping stones to the U.S. However, many Nepalis have been arrested, with some even imprisoned in these countries. Local Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) communities have sometimes helped these detainees return to Nepal.

In Nigeria, for example, traffickers reportedly hide Nepalis in rural areas until conditions are favorable for their transit. Nepali social worker Himmat Thapa from Nigeria revealed that traffickers move their operations to remote locations to avoid detection. In the past, some Nepalis were imprisoned in Nigeria, but repeated interventions by the NRN community have made traffickers more cautious.

Recently, Ethiopia stopped issuing visas to Nepalis. While no formal announcement has been made, Ethiopian authorities have halted e-visa issuance due to concerns about human trafficking. Nepalis using tourist visas to enter Ethiopia were suspected of using the country as a transit point for illegal migration to the U.S. via Latin America.

The U.S. has also pressured countries like Panama, Colombia, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Guatemala to curb illegal migration routes. For instance, Panama has tightened its border controls in the Darién jungle, a key migration route, citing numerous migrant deaths and stranded children. In 2023, the Panamanian government reported over 55 migrant deaths and hundreds of stranded children along this route.

Brazil, another key transit point, has also tightened its visa process. Nepali Ambassador to Brazil, Nirmal Kafle, noted that Nepalis entering Brazil for legitimate reasons, such as business or tourism, now face greater scrutiny due to previous incidents of trafficking. Many Nepalis arrested at Brazilian airports were en route to the U.S.

Nepalis attempting to migrate illegally often travel to Ethiopia via the UAE on visitor visas before moving to Latin America. In 2023, several Nepalis were detained in Ethiopia, and 12 Nepali women were rescued at India’s Jaipur International Airport before being trafficked via Ethiopia and Dubai.

The U.S. government has implemented stricter measures along migration routes in collaboration with transit countries. This has increased restrictions in countries like Panama, Colombia, and Nicaragua. Nepali diplomats have urged these countries to facilitate legitimate visa applications for Nepalis, but challenges persist.

Weak diplomatic ties and rising incidents of Nepali arrests along trafficking routes have led these countries to impose stricter visa policies for Nepalis, further complicating travel for those with legitimate purposes.