KATHMANDU, Jan 3: The number of Nepali workers going abroad for employment has been gradually declining, while the landscape of traditional labour destinations is also undergoing noticeable shifts. Diplomatic developments following the Gen Z movement, combined with tighter labour policies and stricter visa procedures, have made it increasingly difficult for Nepalis to access conventional overseas jobs.
Data from the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) indicate that after the Gen Z movement in Nepal, major labour destination countries tightened security, visa, and labour approval processes. This has led not only to a decline in the number of Nepalis seeking foreign employment but also to a gradual change in their destination preferences.
The UAE, long a top destination for Nepali workers, has seen a sharp decline in arrivals after tightening its visa criteria. Although the UAE has historically attracted the largest number of Nepali workers, recent months show a steady decrease. From mid-July to mid-October, the UAE remained the leading destination, with 23,000 Nepalis going in mid-July to mid-August, 25,000 in mid-August to mid-September, and 18,000 in mid-September to mid-October. Numbers fell sharply from mid-October onwards, with only 13,000 entering in mid-October to mid-November and 9,000 in mid-November to mid-December.
As doors to the UAE narrow, Saudi Arabia is emerging as an increasingly attractive alternative. Between mid-October and mid-December, more Nepali workers went to Saudi Arabia than to the UAE, indicating a clear shift in labour destination priorities. Qatar, Malaysia, and Kuwait are also attracting more Nepali workers, signaling that while overall foreign employment numbers are declining, destination preferences are changing.
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Labour approvals for Saudi Arabia rose steadily: 9,000 in mid-July to mid-August, 10,000 in mid-August to mid-September, 9,000 in mid-September to mid-October, nearly 16,000 in mid-October to mid-November, and 14,000 in mid-November to mid-December. Similarly, the number of Nepalis going to Qatar has increased in recent months, while Malaysia and Kuwait are emerging as additional destinations.
Overall, foreign employment numbers declined from mid-October to mid-November compared to mid-November to mid-December. According to DoFE data, 65,705 Nepalis obtained labour approval in mid-November to mid-December—7,300 fewer than the 73,094 approvals in mid-October to mid-November.
The decline in UAE-bound workers is also linked to complicated procedures and increased costs related to police report authentication. Previously, reports could be certified through the Consular Department for Rs 500, but with the requirement to authenticate through the UAE Embassy, the cost has risen to nearly Rs 14,000.
DoFE Director Tikaram Dhakal explained, “Preparing and submitting police reports for the UAE has become difficult. As a result, almost all workers who were prepared to go to the UAE have now shifted toward Saudi Arabia.”
Saudi Arabia’s rise as a primary destination is driven by high demand in construction and service sectors, larger size compared to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, smoother visa processes, stable jobs, and improved payment mechanisms. “Saudi Arabia has now become the main destination for Nepali workers,” Dhakal said.
Nepal and Saudi Arabia are preparing to sign a labour agreement for the first time. “The agreement prioritizes skilled workers, and Nepal has emphasized minimum wages, insurance, healthcare, and social security,” Dhakal added. The expectation that workers’ rights will be legally protected is also contributing to the growing number of Nepalis heading to Saudi Arabia.
After more than a decade of efforts, Nepal and Saudi Arabia are close to finalizing the agreement. Nepal has been attempting to sign such a deal since 2013, but despite repeated drafting, Saudi Arabia had previously backed out at the final stage.
Workers must obtain labour approval to go abroad for employment. Even those returning after overseas work often choose to go abroad again due to limited domestic opportunities. Following the Gen Z movement, stricter UAE visa rules have further reduced the number of Nepali workers heading there.
“The department does not have data on Nepalis who go abroad illegally. The UAE remains the country with the highest number of Nepali workers, but the number going there has now declined,” Director Dhakal said.
Labour experts note that diplomatic relations, visa policies, labour agreements, and job demand play a decisive role in determining Nepali workers’ destinations. They emphasize the importance of diplomatic initiatives, reviewing labour agreements, and prioritizing worker protection to make foreign employment more stable and secure.
