A total of 6,791 tourists from third countries entered Nepal through the Kakadbhitta border point in Jhapa during the first eight months of the current fiscal year, according to the Immigration Office in Kakadbhitta. The data show continued movement of international travelers through Nepal’s eastern gateway, though the number is down compared with the same period in the previous fiscal year.
Decline in Tourist Arrivals from the Eastern Border
Chief of the Immigration Office in Kakadbhitta, Tulsi Bhattarai, informed that tourists from several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Bhutan, were among those who arrived in Nepal through the border crossing during the review period. The entry point serves as an important transit route for travelers who visit Nepal through neighboring countries, particularly those traveling overland.
However, immigration data shows that the number of third-country tourists entering Nepal through the Kakadbhitta border has dropped compared to the previous fiscal year. During the same eight-month period last year, a total of 8,723 tourists from third countries had entered Nepal through this eastern border point. The decrease indicates a notable reduction in tourist inflow through this route, though officials say the crossing remains active for both tourism and transit travel.
Officials attribute the decline to multiple factors, including changes in travel routes, increased preference for direct international flights to Nepal, and shifting regional travel patterns. Many international tourists now prefer to arrive directly via air through Nepal’s international airports rather than entering through land borders.
Kakadbhitta as an Important Transit Gateway
Despite the drop in numbers, Kakadbhitta continues to serve as a significant entry and exit point for international travelers entering Nepal by land. The border point connects Nepal with India and is commonly used by tourists traveling across South Asia. Overland travel remains popular among budget travelers, backpackers, and regional tourists who explore multiple countries in a single trip.
The Immigration Office noted that 6,552 tourists from third countries departed Nepal through the Kakadbhitta border during the same period after completing the necessary immigration formalities. This indicates that the majority of travelers who entered through the eastern border also exited using the same route.
Officials stated that the immigration office has been facilitating the movement of international tourists by ensuring efficient documentation checks and maintaining smooth border management procedures. The office also coordinates with security and customs authorities to ensure that immigration regulations are followed properly.
Nepali Students and Migrants Returning Home
In addition to international tourist arrivals, the eastern border point has also seen the return of a significant number of Nepali citizens from abroad. According to the Immigration Office, more than 3,000 Nepalis who had been living overseas for studies, employment, or other purposes returned to the country through Kakadbhitta during the eight months.
Many of these returnees were students studying in foreign countries, as well as migrant workers who had temporarily traveled abroad. Kakadbhitta serves as a convenient entry point for Nepalis traveling through India while returning home. Authorities say the steady flow of Nepali nationals through the border highlights the continued mobility of students and migrant workers who travel between Nepal and other countries for education, employment, and family visits.
Strengthening Border Management and Tourism Facilitation
Immigration officials say efforts are being made to strengthen border management while ensuring that legitimate travelers can move across the border without unnecessary delays. The government has been working to improve immigration infrastructure and enhance service efficiency at key border crossings, including Kakadbhitta.
Tourism stakeholders believe that improving connectivity, upgrading border facilities, and promoting regional tourism routes could help increase tourist arrivals through land borders in the future. With Nepal aiming to boost international tourist arrivals, authorities are exploring ways to make both air and land entry points more accessible and traveler-friendly.
While the number of tourists entering through Kakadbhitta has decreased compared to the previous fiscal year, officials remain optimistic that improved regional tourism cooperation and travel promotion initiatives could help revive the flow of international visitors through Nepal’s eastern border in the coming years.
