The Foreign Nationals Management Information System (FNMIS): A Comprehensive Guide
The success of FNMIS (Foreign National Management Information System) is heavily reliant on how well it maximizes the safety and security of foreign national communities, as well as providing foreign nationals the opportunities to participate in programs that contribute to sustainable development for Nepal.
What Is the FNMIS Development Story?
In 2014, Their Royal Highnesses approached to have a system established to manage all aspects of registering, tracking and managing foreign nationals in Nepal. As tourism, education, job and international cooperation continued to see a rapid rise within Nepal, it was clear that the need for a comprehensive, effective and available way of keeping track of foreign nationals had to be established.
FNMIS is a revolutionary electronic immigration management system that establishes a reliable and secure way of keeping track of foreign nationals using technology to assist with the processes rather than using the older methods of tracking foreign nationals in Nepal, which includes a combination of paper, physical forms and various different systems that were not integrated into one system. FNMIS was created with the aim of improving national security, improving efficiency with tourism and migration management, improving coordination between various government agencies and providing a more efficient level of service to foreign national customers.
Note: All FNMIS content is considered the property of the Government of Nepal (GON) and therefore protected under copyright law. You may request a copy of your data collection from the FNMIS by contacting the Department of Immigration.
Background and Need for FNMIS
Every year, the country of Nepal has received millions of foreign nationals into its borders. These immigrants have come as tourists, trekkers, and mountaineers; students and volunteers; diplomats and expatriates, along with many others. Historically, the management of foreign nationals in Nepal involved a reliance on paper records, uncoordinated databases and minimal coordination between the various immigration offices and the other agencies of hotels and the local security infrastructure. The combination of these elements created numerous challenges for tracking supporting emergency action involving foreign nationals in Nepal, to tracking overstays and even illegimitate actions including foreigners.
Tourism is one of the cornerstones of Nepal's economy. As such, timeliness and accuracy of data is critical for efficient planning, safety, and service delivery within this sector. Without a centralized information system, there was little opportunity for the development of policy and planning based upon timely and accurate data.
The launch of the Foreign National Management Information System (FNMIS) provides a consolidated information system that allows for the use of one digital solution to house all of the necessary immigration records and travel/immigrant compliance information in one place. Additionally, this solution gives Nepal the opportunity to incorporate international best practices that are used by many countries that utilize digital foreigner management systems.
What Is the Foreign Nationals Management Information System (FNMIS)?
The Foreign Nationals' Management Information System (FNMIS) is a centralized, digital system developed to register, track, and manage foreign nationals upon entry and exit from Nepal. This includes storing all information about your identity, visa status, accommodation, movement and other legal requirements in one location.
The Department of Immigration governs the FNMIS, which is available to authorized government agencies and service providers such as hotels, airlines, travel agents and educational institutions.
FNMIS also provides an avenue for foreign nationals to comply with all immigration laws during their stay while protecting their safety and rights.
The main goals of the FNMIS are:
- To enhance management of international tourism and visitor safety;
- To allow for a more efficient process for administrating and issuing visas;
- To enhance emergency and disaster management.
- To provide a basis for policy development based on data-driven evidence;
- To increase national security and improve border control;
- To reduce overstay visas and criminal activity;
By accomplishing these objectives, the FNMIS hopes to create a more secure, more efficient and more transparent environment for both foreign nationals and Government of Nepal.
Key Features of the Foreign Nationals Management Information System
1. Centralized Digital Database
The core of the Fractional Network Management Information System (FNMIS) will be a secure, centralized digital database. This database will be used to store a complete record of foreign nationals and contain the following:
- Personal identification information
- Passport & Visa information
- Entry/Exit information
- Accommodation information
- Compliance history
- Biometric data (fingerprints and facial images).
Having all of these records within one centralized digital database provides a way to eliminate duplication, reduce errors, and enable access to accurate information from any authorized agency, in real-time.
2. Biometric Identification
FNMIS will utilize a biometric verification system that will incorporate both fingerprint and facial recognition technology. The benefit of this is that it enhances security and the ability to provide a unique, verifiable identification for every foreign national, thus decreasing the potential for identity theft, impersonation, and the misuse of documents.
3. Real-Time Monitoring and Tracking
The Foreign National Management Information System (FNMIS) is a real-time monitoring program for Foreign Nationals that allows Law Enforcement/Immigration Authorities to monitor Foreign National entry/exit date, Visa Type/Verification Date and Duration of Stay, as well as to view Foreign National movement/location data (as required by law). Through this data access, Immigration Officials are able to readily identify Visa Violations and Overstay and/or Unauthorized Behaviour and subsequently take appropriate action, if necessary.
4. Enhancing Protective and Counters Terrorism Activities
The FNMIS facilitates the free exchange of information and intelligence between the Department of Immigration, Nepal Police, the Government of Nepal and all other agencies/Organizations that are concerned with Foreign Nationals' The FNMIS provides the Government with the ability to collect and analyse data to develop patterns that support the prevention of the Illegal Employment of Foreign Nationals and/or Cross Border Crime, Human Trafficking, Visa Misuse, and activities that threaten to undermine the National Security of Nepal. By providing a mechanism to collect and share this data, the FNMIS supports a comprehensive effort to assist the Government of Nepal in improving its National Security and the Lawful Behaviour of Foreign Nationals within Nepal.
5. Disaster Response and Emergency Management in Nepal
Nepal is very susceptible to many forms of natural disaster, including earthquakes, floods, landslides, and avalanches. FNMIS performs a crucial function in emergencies by obtaining real-time information about foreign nationals' locations and their actual contact information.
This function enables officials at the local and/or national levels to:
1. Conduct timely search and rescue operations for affected individuals;
2. Provide them with necessary medical and human/relief assistance;
3. Collaborate with their respective embassies or diplomatic missions;
4. Allow for tracking accountability regarding affected individuals in times of disaster.
Therefore, foreign nationals receive assistance faster and more efficiently than ever before in an emergency situation.
6 - Streamlining Registration and Services
FNMIS provides a fast and efficient method for the registration of foreign nationals, significantly improving the registration process for tourists, students, professionals and long-term residents. Much of the registration process can now be completed online with minimal paperwork and reduced waiting times.
FNMIS also provides a standardised method for service providers (e.g. hotels and educational institutions) to record and verify their foreign guests' information, thereby improving efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance.
7 - Data-Driven Policy Development
The accurate and up-to-date data produced by FNMIS enables the development of evidence-based policies. FNMIS produces reliable statistical information from:
- Gathering Information on Incoming Tourism to Nepal
- Determining Visa Types and Trends
- Determining Length of Foreign Stay
- Determining Seasonal Travel Trends for Foreigners
- Determining Purpose of Travel (Tourism, Education, Employment, etc).
By collecting and utilizing this information, The Nepali Government is developing tourism strategies and improving tourism infrastructure; Managing Labour Migration; Developing & Supporting Targeted National Development Policies.
The Required Use and Compliance of FNMIS
Foreign Nationals
All foreign nationals who enter Nepal for the purpose of tourism, education, work, volunteering, or residence must register for FNMIS and submit accurate personal information and travel details during their stay in Nepal. All foreign nationals must comply with FNMIS requirements.
Service Providers
All registered service providers (e.g. hotels, guest houses, airlines, travel agencies, trekking businesses, educational institutions, etc.) must upload and verify information about the Foreigners they are serving using the FNMIS.
Non-Compliance with FNMIS Rules May Result in Administrative Penalties Under Nepal's Immigration Laws.
Benefits of FNMIS
Governments:
- Improved enforcement of immigration laws
- Increased national security
- More effective communication and collaboration between various government agencies
- A single reliable source of data for effective planning and policy-making.
Foreign Nationals:
- Simplified registration and processing for all foreign nationals
- Increased access to safety and emergency assistance
- Improved visibility into visa compliance; and
- Decreased burden of dealing with multiple administrative processes.
Tourism Industry:
- Accurate visitor statistics
- Improved visitor management systems
- Enhanced credibility as an international destination; and
- Increased traveler safety.
Conclusion
FNMIS Development is a major milestone for Nepal's Digital Transformation and will create a new way of managing and processing Foreign Nationals when they enter Nepal. The implementation of a single, secure, and intelligent electronic system to replace the current outdated paper-based systems will increase national security, increase the effectiveness of Tourism Management, and increase the level of protection and service to Foreign Nationals.
As Nepal continues to develop relationships with the World, FNMIS will play a key role in developing Safe, Secure and Efficient Methods of Managing Foreign Nationals Entering Nepal. It will benefit the Government, the Tourism Industry and Visitors to Nepal.