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INGO staff visa and Social Welfare Council (SWC) coordination in Nepal may involve separate organizational and individual questions. SWC’s Planning & Program Department handles INGO appraisal and agreement processes and makes recommendations for visa and customs-exemption facilities. Its published description does not set out a universal staff visa checklist or establish that every assignment follows the same route.
Who this service is for
This assistance is for INGOs preparing a foreign staff member’s Nepal assignment, and for staff or project teams seeking to understand how SWC coordination relates to immigration. The correct route depends on the organization, its agreement and project circumstances, and the person’s proposed activities. The label “INGO staff” alone does not establish visa eligibility.
Before an assignment begins, confirm the appropriate visa category and any separate work authorization directly with the government agencies responsible for the specific case. Do not assume that an SWC agreement or recommendation is itself a visa, work permit, or approval to undertake every proposed activity.
How SWC coordination fits
SWC’s published responsibilities include appraisal and agreement processes for INGOs and recommendations for visa facilities. These are SWC functions; the page does not say that SWC issues visas or that a recommendation guarantees an immigration outcome. Immigration Nepal can help organize information and identify questions to resolve, but cannot make an agency recommendation or determine an organization’s official status.
SWC separately publishes a project agreement guideline and appraisal checklists. Those materials concern project appraisal and should not be treated as an individual staff member’s visa checklist. For a particular assignment, ask SWC which agreement, appraisal, or project-related steps apply. Separately confirm the visa application route and any work-related requirements with the responsible government offices. Request their current forms, document specifications, submission instructions, fees, and timing directly; these details can depend on the case and may change.
Information to have ready for an initial review
To discuss the case with the appropriate offices, it is useful to be able to describe the organization, the relevant project or agreement, the proposed staff member’s role and activities, and the intended assignment. These are preparation topics, not an official document checklist. Immigration Nepal will not present them as documents required by SWC or another authority unless that office confirms the requirement for the case.
Do not submit sensitive personal documents until you have confirmed which office requires them, the accepted format, and the official submission channel. Where different agencies have separate steps, ask each agency what must be completed first and whether it requires an original, copy, translation, or certification.
A practical coordination sequence
- Describe the assignment. Identify the organization, project context, proposed role and activities, and intended stay so the relevant agencies can assess the case.
- Ask SWC about its process. Confirm whether the organization’s INGO appraisal or agreement status creates a step relevant to this assignment and request the current instructions.
- Confirm immigration and work questions separately. Ask the responsible government offices which visa category and any work-related authorization apply to the person’s actual activities.
- Follow each official checklist. Obtain current forms, supporting-document requirements, submission channels, and fee instructions from the agency handling that step before filing.
- Check the final status and conditions. Rely on written decisions or documents issued by the responsible authorities and confirm any conditions before the assignment proceeds.
How Immigration Nepal can assist
Immigration Nepal is an independent immigration assistance and advisory service, not a government office. We can help map the questions to take to SWC and the immigration authorities, review information for consistency, organize documents after the applicable official checklist is confirmed, and explain how separate coordination steps fit together. Government agencies set requirements, issue any recommendations or permits, determine fees and timing, and decide applications. We do not collect government fees or guarantee eligibility, approval, or processing time.
Contact Immigration Nepal to discuss an INGO staff assignment and the coordination assistance you need.
Eligibility
- For INGOs and foreign staff preparing an assignment in Nepal that may involve SWC coordination and immigration steps.
- The organization, project, role, and applicant must meet the requirements determined by the responsible authorities.
- An SWC agreement or recommendation alone does not determine an individual’s visa eligibility or permission to work.
- An SWC agreement or recommendation does not guarantee a visa or replace a required work permit.
Requirements
- Describe the organization, project, staff member’s role, proposed activities, and intended assignment to the relevant authorities.
- Confirm directly with SWC which INGO appraisal, agreement, or project-related process applies.
- Confirm the visa category and any work-related authorization with the government offices responsible for the specific case.
- Obtain current forms, document instructions, submission channels, fees, and timing directly from each responsible authority.
Documents to prepare
- A brief description of the organization, project, and proposed assignment, if available; intake information for private preparation, not an official document checklist.
Process
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1
Define the role and assignment
Clarify the organization, project, proposed staff duties, activities, and intended stay for discussion with the responsible offices.
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2
Confirm SWC coordination requirements
Ask SWC whether the organization’s agreement and project appraisal are in order and what information applies to the specific assignment.
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3
Secure applicable recommendations and work authorization
Ask the responsible government offices which visa category and any separate work-related authorization apply to the actual activities.
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4
Follow the official application route
Obtain the current checklist and submission instructions from the office handling the case, then follow its process and verify the decision and conditions directly.
Frequently asked questions
Does SWC issue INGO staff visas?
SWC’s published Planning & Program responsibilities include INGO appraisal and agreement processes and recommendations for visa facilities. Its page does not describe SWC as a visa-issuing authority; confirm visa applications with the responsible immigration office.
Does an SWC agreement authorize a foreign staff member to work?
Do not assume an SWC agreement or recommendation is a visa or work authorization. Ask the responsible government offices which permissions apply to the staff member’s actual activities.
What documents should an INGO staff member prepare?
There is no universal staff checklist on SWC’s published page describing its INGO appraisal and agreement responsibilities. Confirm the current case-specific checklist, forms, and submission instructions with SWC and the government office handling the visa or other authorization.
Can a volunteer use a tourist visa for NGO or INGO activities?
Do not assume a volunteer label or unpaid activity determines the visa category. Describe the actual activities to the responsible authorities and confirm the appropriate status before beginning the assignment.
Can Immigration Nepal obtain an SWC recommendation or guarantee visa approval?
No. Immigration Nepal is an independent advisory service and cannot make official recommendations or decide applications. The relevant authorities determine requirements and outcomes; approval and processing time are not guaranteed.
General information only. Requirements depend on the facts of each case and can change, so confirm the current position before filing.