Nepal Aims to Become an Educational Hub with Free Visas and Reforms

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EDUCAST, In a bold move to transform Nepal into a regional educational hub, the government has announced a series of sweeping reforms, including free visas for international students and a major restructuring of the higher education system.

While presenting the federal budget for the fiscal year 2025/26, Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel revealed that international students enrolling in Nepali universities will be offered free visas valid for the entire duration of their academic programs. Additionally, their parents or guardians will be eligible for multiple-entry visas.

“This initiative is aimed at attracting bright minds from across the world and positioning Nepal as a competitive destination for higher education,” said Minister Paudel.

To enhance the quality and governance of higher education, the government plans to introduce a comprehensive umbrella law that will bring all universities under a uniform framework. This law will streamline academic structures, promote transparency, and improve operational consistency across institutions.

The new policy also includes the restructuring of university faculties and departments, with a view to strengthening domestic institutions and discouraging the outflow of Nepali students to foreign universities.

The government will revamp the University Grants Commission into a stronger regulatory body to ensure robust quality assurance and better institutional performance. According to Paudel, universities will now receive state grants based on educational quality, student numbers, and infrastructure development.

“An academic calendar will be made mandatory for every university, and it must be published before the academic year begins. Institutions failing to comply will face grant suspensions,” he said.

Education experts believe that these reforms, if implemented effectively, could mark a turning point for Nepal’s higher education landscape, boosting international enrollment while retaining local talent.