Nepali worker killed in UAE as Iran attacks raise safety concerns across GCC nations

KATHMANDU: The Government of Nepal has intensified monitoring and preparedness measures for the safety of Nepali nationals in the Middle East as military tensions between Israel, United States, and Iran continue to escalate, raising concerns for the millions of migrant workers and residents living across the Gulf region.

With missile strikes and aerial attacks continuing in parts of the region, Nepali authorities say they are closely tracking developments and coordinating with diplomatic missions to ensure the safety of Nepali citizens living in Gulf countries.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, one Nepali national has died and several others have been injured in the recent hostilities in the Middle East, highlighting the risks faced by migrant workers caught in the geopolitical conflict.

One Nepali Killed in UAE Incident

Officials confirmed that 29-year-old Diwas Shrestha from Gorkha district died in an incident linked to drone interception operations at Zayed International Airport in United Arab Emirates.

The incident occurred on February 28, when Iranian drones targeted locations in the Gulf region, reportedly aimed at facilities connected to the United States military presence. During defensive operations to neutralize the drones, three foreign workers lost their lives—one each from Nepal, India and Bangladesh.

The body of Shrestha has already been repatriated to Nepal and handed over to his family.

The Foreign Ministry also confirmed that several Nepali nationals were injured in the attack, although most sustained minor injuries and have already returned home after receiving medical treatment. A few individuals remain under hospital care.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudyal Chhetri said Nepali diplomatic missions in the region are maintaining close coordination with local authorities and monitoring the situation continuously.

“Our embassies are closely observing developments in the region. We are issuing security advisories whenever necessary to ensure Nepali citizens remain safe,” he said.

Millions of Nepalis Living in the Gulf

The Middle East hosts one of the largest concentrations of Nepali migrant workers abroad. According to government data, around 1.729 million Nepalis are currently working or studying in Gulf countries including:

Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman

Officials believe the actual number could be higher, as a significant portion of Nepali migrants are working without formal documentation.

With Iran reportedly launching missile and drone attacks targeting US military installations in the Gulf, security risks across these countries have heightened, prompting Nepal’s government to adopt precautionary measures.

Government Suspends Labor Approvals

In response to the growing security concerns, the Department of Foreign Employment Nepal has temporarily suspended labor approvals for workers traveling to several Middle Eastern countries.

The suspension, effective from Falgun 17, applies to workers heading to:

Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Israel

The government has also halted the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) required for Nepali students seeking to travel to these countries for study.

Officials say the restrictions will remain in place until the regional security situation improves.

Emergency Monitoring and Registration System

To better track the status of Nepalis living in the Middle East, the Foreign Ministry has activated an online registration system managed by the Department of Consular Services Nepal.

As of Sunday, 54,786 Nepalis had registered their details in the system. Authorities say the collected information will help prioritize support and assistance if evacuation or emergency response becomes necessary.

The ministry has also established an Emergency Action Room, operating a 24-hour hotline service to coordinate with embassies, government agencies and Nepali communities abroad.

Through this mechanism, the government says it is preparing contingency plans for potential rescue or evacuation operations if the conflict escalates further.

Nepalis Facing Transit Disruptions

Airspace restrictions in several Middle Eastern countries have also disrupted international travel, affecting Nepali passengers transiting through Gulf airports.

According to the ministry, around 50 Nepali travelers stranded in transit in Kuwait have received food and accommodation support through coordination between the Nepali embassy and the local community.

Airspace closures have particularly affected flights over Qatar and Kuwait, though some flight operations have resumed through Saudi Arabia and Oman. Limited flights are also operating in the United Arab Emirates, allowing some passengers to continue their travel plans.

Nepali diplomatic missions are working with airlines and airport authorities to assist stranded travelers.

Safety Advisories for Nepali Citizens

The Foreign Ministry has urged all Nepali citizens living in the Middle East to remain cautious and follow instructions issued by local authorities and Nepali diplomatic missions.

The ministry specifically advised Nepalis to:

Avoid unnecessary travel or movement

Follow official security advisories

Refrain from taking photos, videos or audio recordings in sensitive areas

Avoid sharing such materials on social media during the current security situation

Embassies across the region have also been issuing similar advisories.

For example, the Embassy of Nepal in Kuwait recently issued a third public advisory urging Nepali residents to strictly follow instructions from Kuwaiti authorities and remain alert due to the evolving regional situation.

Visa Flexibility and Support Measures

Kuwaiti authorities have introduced temporary visa measures to support foreign residents during the crisis.

The Nepali embassy in Kuwait said the government has:

Extended visit visas by one month

Allowed additional flexibility for holders of Kuwaiti Civil IDs currently outside the country

Temporarily adjusted rules that normally cancel residency for workers who stay outside Kuwait beyond certain periods

The additional extension measures have been applied starting February 28, 2026.

The embassy also reminded Nepali residents to contact their employers and renew visas before their expiration dates to avoid legal complications.

Airlines Assisting Stranded Nepalis

In the United Arab Emirates, airlines including Air Arabia and Flydubai are helping transport stranded Nepali passengers back to Nepal.

Authorities in the UAE have also decided to waive overstay fines for travelers unable to leave the country due to flight cancellations or delays, particularly for cases occurring after February 28.

High-Level Diplomatic Engagement

Nepal’s leadership has also initiated diplomatic communication with Gulf countries regarding the safety of Nepali nationals.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki held telephone conversations with:

Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani

During the call with the UAE president, discussions focused on the evolving regional security situation and the safety of residents, including the Nepali community.

Prime Minister Karki expressed appreciation for the measures taken by UAE authorities to protect residents and workers, while the UAE president conveyed condolences over the death of the Nepali worker at Zayed International Airport.

Similarly, discussions with Qatar’s prime minister focused on ensuring the welfare and security of Nepali citizens living in Qatar.

Foreign Minister Balananda Sharma also held a telephone conversation with Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani regarding regional developments.

Diplomatic Missions on High Alert

The Foreign Ministry has convened a virtual meeting with officials from Nepal’s diplomatic missions in 10 Middle Eastern countries, directing them to intensify coordination and maintain continuous communication with Nepali communities.

Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai instructed embassy heads to remain proactive and ensure effective coordination with host governments and local Nepali associations.

Officials say the government will continue closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and take further measures if the security situation deteriorates.