Nepal UK
Sat, 19 July 2025
KATHMANDU – Nepal's reliance on foreign employment continues to grow, with the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) revealing that 839,000 individuals secured labour permits for overseas work in the last fiscal year. The figures, made public at a press conference on Friday, 18th July 2025, highlight the sustained trend of Nepalis seeking economic opportunities abroad.
Of the total permits issued, a significant majority, 744,000, were granted to male workers, while women accounted for the remaining proportion. According to DoFE Director General Kamal Prasad Bhattarai, approximately 60 per cent of these permits were for new foreign employment ventures, with the remaining 39 per cent being re-issued permits for individuals extending their stays or changing employers.
Nepali workers primarily seek opportunities in Gulf nations and Southeast Asia. The leading labour destinations include the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Malaysia, Romania, Japan, South Korea, and Bahrain. Beyond these major hubs, a growing number of Nepalis are also finding employment in countries such as Malta, Serbia, Mauritius, Croatia, and the Maldives.
The scale of this migration is evident in the five-year data, which shows that over 3.5 million Nepalis have obtained foreign employment permits. Male workers constituted the overwhelming majority, at 3.1 million, underscoring the gender imbalance in foreign labour migration.
The DoFE has been actively implementing reforms to streamline its services. Director General Bhattarai highlighted significant improvements in processing times, noting that labour permits are now typically issued on the very day an application is filed, largely thanks to enhanced digitalisation efforts. He further elaborated that, over the last one and a half months, permits have been processed within just two minutes of submission, showcasing the impact of these digital advancements.
Beyond swift processing, the Department is also focused on improving its regulatory functions. Approximately two-thirds of a plan to manage some 36,000 documents within the investigation and complaints section has been accomplished, aiming to enhance services for job seekers. Furthermore, the monitoring system for health check-ups of foreign job aspirants has been strengthened, and a technical study is currently underway to upgrade the overall foreign employment information system.
Foreign employment emerged as a major economic phenomenon in Nepal, particularly after the 1990s, accelerating significantly in the 2000s. Limited domestic job opportunities, coupled with a demand for labour in rapidly developing economies, primarily in the Gulf region and Malaysia, drove this outward migration. Remittances sent by these workers have since become the backbone of Nepal's economy, consistently contributing over 25 per cent to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), making it one of the highest proportions globally.
While providing a vital economic lifeline for countless families, this trend is not without its challenges. Nepali migrant workers frequently face issues such as exorbitant recruitment fees, contract substitution, and various forms of exploitation, including low wages and poor working conditions. Tragically, some workers also face severe safety concerns, injuries, and fatalities overseas.
In response to these pervasive issues, the Nepali government, through various bodies like the Foreign Employment Board, has been striving to implement protective measures. These include efforts to sign bilateral labour agreements with destination countries to ensure better worker rights, establishing welfare funds, providing support through diplomatic missions abroad, and actively working to curb illegal recruitment practices and human trafficking.
Despite the male dominance in foreign employment, the number of Nepali women seeking overseas jobs has been steadily increasing, though they often face unique vulnerabilities and disproportionately rely on informal channels. The government continues to refine policies to ensure greater protection for all its citizens working abroad.
With 1,687 companies currently facilitating foreign jobs, and 724 actively accredited by the Department (with 212 having renewed their licenses by the end of the last fiscal year), the foreign employment sector remains a complex yet crucial component of Nepal's socio-economic landscape, demanding ongoing vigilance and reform to ensure the safety and dignity of its citizens abroad.
As hundreds of thousands seek livelihoods beyond borders, Nepal's future remains deeply intertwined with the fortunes of its global workforce.
