Govt begins issuing NRN citizenship

KATHMANDU: The government has begun issuing citizenship to non-resident Nepalis.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal initiated the process by presenting the first non-residential Nepali citizenship to the President of the Non-Resident Nepalese Association (RNA), Kul Acharya, at his residence in Baluwatar on Tuesday.

The Nepal Citizenship Act includes provisions for granting such citizenship to NRNs. According to Section 7 of the Citizenship Act, A person can obtain NRN citizenship if s/he has obtained the citizenship of a foreign country and resided in a country other than member countries of the SAARC and acquired the citizenship of a foreign country if his/her father or mother, grandfather or grandmother was a citizen of Nepal by descent or birth in the past.

NRN citizenship holders are entitled to enjoy economic, social, and cultural rights similar to those of Nepali citizens, although they do not have political rights.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal said NRNs can now enjoy constitutional rights as Nepali citizens. “I have made significant efforts to incorporate the provision for non-residential citizenship into the Nepal Citizenship Act, ensuring economic and cultural rights for the NRNs.”

Dahal further expressed his belief that NRNs residing abroad fully understand the relentless struggle and initiatives that have paved the way for non-residential Nepali citizenship.