"Over 2,000 Nepali denied labour permits daily as tensions persist in West Asia", 18 March 2026

Rising tensions in West Asia have severely affected Nepali migrant workers in the region, as well as those seeking jobs there. As a result, more than 2,000 Nepali nationals who have already been granted work visas are denied labour permits by the government of Nepal on a daily basis, citing rising tensions in the Gulf.

Not only new workers but also those who have returned home on leave have been denied labour permit renewals, preventing them from returning to work…

…, the Department of Foreign Employment halted both new and existing labour permits for 12 countries—Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Jordan and Turkey from March 1, 2026. However, permits resumed for seven countries- Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Jordan and Turkey—starting Tuesday, although permits for new workers remain suspended.

According to the department, 70,503 people, including new and returning workers, had been issued labour permits for employment by February 12, 2026. Of them, 48,226 had obtained permits to go to 12 West Asian countries. Among the five main destinations for Nepali workers, four are in the Gulf region—Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar…

… Baikuntha Paudel, general secretary of the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies, said approximately 20,500 workers who had already received visas for Gulf countries are waiting for labour permits. Of them, 10,000 were supposed to go to the UAE, 5,500 to Saudi Arabia and 5,000 to Qatar. “Their procedures were already completed. However, their departure is uncertain,” he said…

Some workers forced into camps, others returning

As Iran continues attacks in Gulf countries, Nepali workers in those areas have been forced into camps. Some companies have started sending workers back to Nepal…

...Nepalis whose contracts have expired in the UAE and those granted leave are returning home. Workers from Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain are returning via Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is facilitating the return of those who are unsafe or have urgent needs through Saudi Arabia. Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE share land borders with Saudi Arabia.

… International human rights organisations have urged governments, employers and international bodies to take immediate steps to protect migrant workers.

“To ensure the protection of migrant workers, including Nepalis, the governments of destination countries must strengthen early warning systems and provide equal access to safe shelters and humanitarian assistance without discrimination,” said Rameshwar Nepal, South Asia Director of Equidem, a global human rights organisation.