The policy will come into effect once the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) distributes separate identity cards for the purpose later this month. The ID cards will be issued from both the ministry in Kathmandu and at Nepali missions abroad.

Officials at MoFA said the ministry is currently working on a war footing to complete the preparations so that the identity cards will be available to NRNs by the end of this month.

The decision to provide such identity cards comes in line with the Non-Resident Nepali Act and Regulations.

According to the NRN Regulations, NRNs will have to apply for the identity cards and the ministry and the missions will act on the applications within seven days. Such cards will be valid for 10 years in the case of non-resident foreigners of Nepali descent and for two years for non-resident Nepalis.

The NRNs have been asking the government to provide them dual citizenship to help make them easier to invest in Nepal.

The Non-Resident Nepali Association early this month submitted a memorandum to the Constituent Assembly (CA) demanding incorporation of a provision on dual citizenship in the new constitution.

News originally published at: http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/01/14/new-policy-allow-non-resident-nepalis-buy-property-and-enter-nepal-without-visa