KATHMANDU, Sept 27: The Gen-Z movement in Nepal has left a mark on the country’s international image. Following the Gen-Z protests and violent demonstrations on September 8 and 9, Gulf countries, Malaysia, and European nations have reportedly become hesitant to issue visas to Nepalis. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), a primary destination for Nepalis, has reportedly stopped issuing visas, prompting other Gulf countries and Malaysia to follow suit. Alongside the country’s unrest, foreigners have also hesitated to grant visas to Nepalis.
After the Gen-Z movement, the UAE abruptly halted the issuance of visit and work visas. Officials note that the UAE has not provided Nepal with any informal explanation for this action. Other countries, too, are reportedly restricting visas. Malaysia, which was once a major destination for foreign employment, has seen a decline in Nepali workers in recent years due to restrictions on foreign labor entry.
According to Labor Counsellor Krishna Prasad Bhusal at the Nepali Embassy in Malaysia, it has been nearly two years since Malaysia allowed foreign workers to enter. While the country’s main manufacturing sector remained closed, some labor recruitment continued in limited areas such as security guards, plantations, wholesale shops, and other minor sectors. He speculates that even these sectors may now be affected. Bhusal believes the nationwide destruction of public and private property, arson, and the escape of prisoners from various district jails during the Gen-Z movement may have prompted foreign countries to restrict visas for Nepalis.
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No foreign country has formally notified Nepal of visa restrictions. However, following the UAE’s visa halt, other countries are reportedly imposing stricter visa regulations, Bhusal told Republica. “If the necessary documents are submitted to the UAE, visas can still be issued within a day. But since all prisoners have escaped from Nepal’s jails, the UAE likely restricted visas anticipating that some fugitives or participants in the destruction might attempt entry. Other countries may also tighten restrictions,” he added.
Since May 31, 2024, Malaysia has not fully reopened its policy of accepting workers from labour source countries, including Nepal, allowing only limited sectors to recruit. Malaysia reduced the quota for foreign workers, permitting only 15 percent of the total workforce to be foreign. This quota remains partially open, and Bhusal reported that Malaysia plans to further reduce it. In the last fiscal year 2024/25, only 10,219 Nepalis received labor approval for Malaysia. Those obtaining renewed labor approvals numbered just 38,968.
Currently, Malaysia prioritizes local workers over foreign labor. Bhusal notes that the Malaysian government is expected to implement further reductions in foreign labor. Bishnu KC, Director of Aakarshan International, explained that opportunities for sending Nepali workers at zero cost remain limited because not all sectors are open. Nepalis have been unable to work in Malaysia for nearly two years. “Malaysia should have opened by now,” he said, “It has been a long time since they said it might open. Perhaps it will open in a few months. For sectors already partially open or for those with prior visas, there are no immediate restrictions. But the future remains uncertain.”
Following the Gen-Z movement, Saudi Arabia has also not issued visas for new applicants. After the UAE, Saudi Arabia is Nepal’s second-largest labor destination country. Last year alone, 152,557 Nepalis traveled to Saudi Arabia. Currently, visa issuance has become difficult, according to outgoing president of the Foreign Employment Entrepreneurs Association, Rajendra Bhandari.
No country has formally informed them of visa suspensions. “We have not received official notification of visa halts for Nepalis. This issue needs urgent resolution,” he said, “Young people who had taken loans planning to go abroad before Dashain now face disappointment.”
In the past two years alone, around 800,000 Nepalis have worked in the UAE on visit and employment visas. A key reason for increased remittances in Nepal is the strong presence of Nepalis in the UAE labor market. Bhandari warns that if this tension continues, foreign employment prospects could face further setbacks.
