Kathmandu. The first program of the webinar series organized by the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) was held on the theme ‘Continuity of Citizenship and Current Status of NRN Citizenship’.
The webinar organized by the International Coordination Council of Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) and coordinated by the Citizenship Continuity Taskforce on 21 June 2026 saw significant participation from representatives of National Coordination Council, journalists, legal experts, social activists and stakeholders from around the world.
Presiding over the webinar, Rojina Rai Pradhan, coordinator and vice-chairperson of Citizenship Continuity Task Force, said that NRNA citizenship is not only a legal provision but also a matter of feeling and identity related to motherland.TAG_CLOSE_b_93
“The citizenship system was established after 20 years of struggle, but its implementation is almost nil due to the ambiguity in the laws and procedures,” he said. At present, there is nothing to be done with this citizenship other than waiving the visa fee in immigration. He called for the continuation of unhindered citizenship, especially for British Gurkhas and their descendants, and to make PNO cards more accessible to third generation onwards.
NRNA founding president Dr Upendra Mahato said although all political parties and heads of government have accepted the motto of ‘One time Nepali, always Nepali’, the situation is practically the same even after 23 years. “Our citizenship is not recognized by the land revenue, nor by the banks, nor by the immigration,” he said. Mahato added, “The present government is in a strong position to understand the problems of Non-Resident Nepalis and resolve their problems as they are close and stable with two-thirds majority.” For this, we all need to have one voice. “
‘Three-Stage Solution’ and Upcoming Strategy{
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Giving the keynote presentation in the webinar, the President of the Association } Dr. Dr. Hemraj Sharma presented a detailed outline of the current legal complexities and the three-step solution presented by the association to the government:
| Steps | Action Plan | Current state |
| First Step | Opening of bank account by showing NRN card from the ministry or cabinet level, ease of land revenue and national identity card. | List submitted, discussion underway at Home and Foreign Affairs. |
| Second Step | } To endorse the ‘Integrated Act on Non-Resident Nepalis’ being drafted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify economic, social and cultural rights. | Draft is ready and in the process of going to the Ministry of Law and Council of Ministers. Claims that 95% of NRNA’s suggestions are included. |
| Third Step | Continuation of Nepali citizenship of descent, abrogation of Article 291 of the Constitution and voting rights of Nepalis living abroad. | The written demand has been submitted to the Constitution Amendment Recommendation Paper Preparation Committee. |
Dr. Sharma said that although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had promised to bring the Act, the issue has been delayed due to obstruction in the parliament, conventions of political parties, budget speeches and foreign ministers’ visits to India and China.
Informing about the meeting with the Foreign Minister, Dr. Sharma said that the association has given a ‘three-step solution’ to the government. The Minister for Foreign Affairs expressed his commitment to address this issue by bringing an Act (Non-Resident Nepali) within a month, rather than from the cabinet level, he added.
President Dr. Sharma clarified that the problem of all NRNs would not be resolved only with the continuity of citizenship of descent. He said NRN citizenship or identity card was mandatory option for the Nepalis living in countries like Japan and Germany that do not have dual citizenship status.
He stressed that there are eight types of Non-Resident Nepalis from the legal point of view and the organization should raise voice for the common interest of all.
General Secretary Dr Chiranjibi Khadka said continuous dialogue was underway with the government and efforts were on to pursue the issues of citizenship and investment in a uniform manner. He said that there was a need for more clear coordination between the government and NRNA on the issues of priorities and various sub-committees were working actively.
General Secretary Dr. Khadka called on all 8 million Non-Resident Nepalese (NRNs) to increase pressure on the parliament through the representatives of Diaspora by setting a clear timeframe, using the general convention and convention of the political parties currently underway
in Nepal.
Focal Person of the Citizenship Continuity Taskforce, Saroj Dahal, informed about the ongoing coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other concerned agencies, the progress made so far and the latest developments. He said that the second draft submitted by the NRNA to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has included 99 percent of the demands. According to Dahal, it will take 15 days to get the ministry’s opinion and two months to get it endorsed by the parliament if the government wants. “If the Act is not passed in the current session, the issue will be directly pushed to the winter session after Dashain, which will further prolong the process,” he said. So, the next two months will be decisive for us,” Da
hal added.
Responding to the questions raised in the webinar, NRNA President Dr. Hemraj Sharma said that although the government has issued citizenship certificates, other related acts have not been amended.
“In the current situation, the Non-Resident Nepali citizenship has become almost like a piece of paper. Sharma said, “Citizenship has been obtained, but dozens of more acts are yet to be amended at the cabinet and parliament level to exercise its rights.” “
{{TAG_OPEN_b_83}The webinar emphasized the following main topics }
• Request the government to introduce the “Non-Resident Nepali-Related” Act in the parliament at the earliest for the implementation of the Non-Resident Nepali citizenship with economic, social and cultural rights as stipulated in the present constitution.
To urge the government to immediately remove the remaining obstacles to the NRNA citizenship, concluding that although there is a constitutional provision of NRNA citizenship, its implementation has not yet been fully effective.
• To draw the attention of the bodies concerned to maintain necessary coordination among the Acts, Regulations and administrative process for the effective implementation of the Non-Resident Nepali Citizenship.
• To continue the necessary initiatives and advocacy to ensure the spirit of ‘Once Nepali, Always Nepali’ in a legal and constitutional way.
• To take necessary initiatives to ensure the continuity of citizenship of descendants when the constitution is amended and to study the possibility of making such provision through amendment of the Citizenship Act without amending the constitution.
• Although the issue of continuity of descendant citizenship is not equally related to the interests of all types of Non-Resident Nepalis, we will move ahead together on the issues of common rights and interests.
• Demand the government to clearly classify the purpose, rights and facilities of the Non-Resident Nepali Identity Card, Non-Resident Nepali Citizenship and PNO Card and define the law.
• Request all sides concerned not to make false publicity, including imposition of tax on the sale of land and property, at a time when the Non-Resident Nepalese Act has not been presented in the parliament so far.
• Active coordination and dialogue with lawmakers, political parties and stakeholders to introduce the Non-Resident Nepali Citizenship Act in the parliament and to ensure the continuity of citizenship by descent through constitution amendment.
• Continue constructive coordination, collaboration and dialogue with the government to ensure the rights of the Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) and come up with pressure-exerting initiatives in an organized manner if necessary.
Program moderator and NRNA Deputy General Secretary Bedraj Basnet said that the working committee of 2025-2027 will regularly organize such webinars on the common concerns of Non-Resident Nepalis and make the information, dialogue and policy advocacy more effective.
The program was attended by NRNA activists and media persons from across the globe via Zoom and Facebook Live.
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