Kathmandu, Nov 2: Foreign nationals entering Nepal on tourist visas are increasingly being caught engaging in activities allegedly aimed at converting people to Christianity under the guise of health camps, child care homes and educational programmes.
According to the Department of Immigration, 34 foreigners have been arrested in the past 20 days for allegedly attempting to convert people to Christianity through inducements. Most have already been deported.
On October 28, ten foreigners, including five Americans, were arrested for allegedly promoting Christianity during a health camp in Bargachhi, Kanepokhari Rural Municipality, Morang. The group included three Brazilian and two Canadian nationals.
They had entered Nepal on October 22 and 23, with visas valid until November 6 to 21. The camp was organised by an organisation called Mercy Development, with foreign doctors participating. Pastor Pawel Dangol had coordinated preparations for the four day camp, which began on October 25.
The Home Ministry said the land had reportedly been intended for a local hospital. However, Pastor Bangdel had previously conducted Christian religious classes at the site. Local businessman Nawaraj Shrestha had built six structures on three katthas of land for the proposed hospital. Their use for religious activities triggered a local dispute, following which Shrestha organised the health camp.
Earlier, on October 9, 24 South Korean nationals were arrested for allegedly promoting Christianity at Nepal New Covenant College in Sundarharaicha Municipality, Morang. They were deported on October 14, each fined Rs 50,000 and barred from entering Nepal for three years.
In April 2026, six Singaporean nationals were arrested in Biratnagar while attending a religious programme related to the Laughing Buddha. They had also entered Nepal on visitor visas.
Several other cases have emerged over the years. In April 2019, police arrested five people, including two foreigners, in Ghorahi, Dang, on charges of promoting Christianity. In July that year, three Japanese and South Korean nationals were arrested in Pokhara and deported. Four people, including two Japanese nationals, had also been arrested in 2018.
Nepal’s Constitution and laws prohibit religious conversion and activities aimed at converting others. The Foreign Aid Acceptance Directive, 2014, also bars approval of foreign assistance proposals intended to promote religious beliefs or conduct religious programmes.
In fiscal year 2019/20, complaints were filed with the Social Welfare Council against UK based Christian organisation Tearfund. The council investigated its programmes in Makwanpur and Nuwakot. Tearfund had received approval to implement programmes worth Rs 635.48 million between 2016 and 2019. Following the investigation, the council warned the organisation’s representatives over their involvement in religious activities.
The report said the organisation had conducted six-month Bible training for 10 people and mobile Bible training for 300 pastors.
Other organisations, including Himalayan Bible Study Foundation and Witness Society, were also found to have conducted programmes focused on Christian communities. The latter had a Rs 264.34 million programme covering 15 cities and 19 wards in 11 districts.
The Auditor General has repeatedly advised authorities to assess the potential impact of religiously targeted programmes on social harmony before approving or renewing project agreements.
In fiscal year 2023/24, the Social Welfare Council received complaints against 17 NGOs and INGOs involving alleged misuse of assets, financial irregularities, violations of guidelines, child abuse in residential homes and activities contrary to public interest.
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