Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: The Government of Nepal has resumed the issuance of re-entry labour approvals for Nepali migrant workers employed in selected Gulf countries and Turkey, easing return procedures for those currently on leave in Nepal. The decision aims to facilitate smoother workforce mobility and reduce disruptions in overseas employment—one of Nepal’s key economic lifelines driven by remittance inflows.
According to a press statement issued Tuesday by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Nepali workers employed in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Jordan, and Turkey are now eligible to obtain renewed labour approvals (re-entry permits).
The move comes after repeated appeals from workers who returned to Nepal on leave but faced barriers rejoining their jobs abroad due to expired labour permits. Authorities acknowledged that delays in re-approval had begun to impact both workers’ incomes and remittance flows, a critical component of Nepal’s foreign exchange reserves and macroeconomic stability.
The ministry stated that the decision was taken on Chaitra 3 (mid-March 2026) following recommendations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and input from the Department of Foreign Employment, indicating a coordinated inter-agency assessment of geopolitical risks and labour market conditions in destination countries.
However, the government has maintained its suspension on both individual and institutional labour approvals for six countries—Iran, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Lebanon—citing ongoing security concerns and regional instability.
The partial reopening follows an earlier blanket suspension imposed on Falgun 17, 2082 BS (late February 2026), when Nepal halted labour approvals to several West Asian destinations amid escalating geopolitical tensions. The government has since conducted a reassessment of security conditions, leading to a calibrated reopening limited to relatively stable labour markets.
Ministry spokesperson Pitambar Ghimire noted that the policy adjustment reflects a “risk-sensitive approach,” balancing worker safety with economic necessity. The decision is expected to support thousands of Nepali migrant workers while ensuring that high-risk destinations remain restricted until further notice.
The development is likely to have immediate implications for Nepal’s remittance-dependent economy, as smoother redeployment of workers could stabilize inflows and sustain household consumption, particularly in rural regions heavily reliant on foreign employment income.
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