KATHMANDU, Aug 14: The government has introduced stricter rules governing foreign travel by civil servants and government employees, making prior approval from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers mandatory.
The Prime Minister’s Office has issued a circular to all ministries, commissions and government agencies, directing them to obtain approval before nominating any employee for a foreign trip. The new provision aims to make official foreign travel more systematic, economical and accountable.
The Prime Minister’s Secretariat said foreign trips and nominations made without prior approval will not be permitted.
The new rules also require employees to share the knowledge, skills and best practices gained during foreign study visits, training, meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences with their colleagues after returning to Nepal.
Over 300 trips of government employees uncertain
Under the new standard, employees must conduct a knowledge- and experience-sharing session within their respective offices within five days of reporting back to work after completing a foreign trip.
The Prime Minister’s Office has instructed government agencies to strictly implement the provision and has stepped up monitoring. The government says the measures are intended to discourage unnecessary foreign travel and make the purpose and outcomes of official trips more transparent.
A large number of public officials and government employees have travelled abroad for various purposes in recent years, adding significantly to the state’s expenses.
According to government data, 56,269 public officials and government employees travelled abroad between 2021 and 2025.
In 2021, 3,787 public officials and government employees travelled abroad, averaging 10.37 people per day.
By 2025, the number had risen to 13,557, or an average of 37.14 people travelling abroad each day. This represents an increase of more than three-and-a-half times compared with 2021.
Departmental data shows that 3,787 public officials and government employees travelled abroad in 2021, followed by 9,528 in 2022, 16,105 in 2023, 13,292 in 2024 and 13,557 in 2025.
An average of 11,254 public officials and government employees travelled abroad each year during the five-year period.
