Nepal Resumes Issuing Work Permits for Middle East After 6-Week Pause Due to US-Iran Conflict
The Nepalese government has resumed issuing work permits for its citizens to work in the Middle East, which had been suspended for six weeks due to the US-Iran conflict. The decision is driven by high unemployment and the economic necessity of relying on remittances, which account for a quarter of the economy.
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- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 21:49
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(Central News Agency, Kathmandu, 21st, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Nepalese officials said today that they have resumed issuing permits for nationals to work in the Middle East. This process has been restarted after a six-week suspension due to conflict in the region.
Reuters reported that about 75% of overseas Nepali migrant workers are employed in Middle Eastern countries, mainly as construction laborers.
Nepal, a cash-strapped country in the Himalayas with a $42 billion economy, relies on remittances from migrant workers for more than a quarter of its economy.
A spokesperson for the Nepal Ministry of Labour told Reuters that the resumption of permits "is based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the high demand from laborers."
Nepal requires its citizens who wish to work abroad to obtain a government-issued work permit, but it suspended issuing permits for Gulf countries from March 1, the day after the US, in conjunction with Israel, launched a war against Iran.
According to the World Bank, Nepal, with a population of 30 million, has a youth unemployment rate of 20.6%, the highest among South and Southeast Asian countries.
Industry insiders say at least 3 million Nepali nationals work overseas. Unions estimate that due to the scarcity of domestic job opportunities, about 1,500 young people leave Nepal every day for employment abroad. (Compiled by: Yang Chao-yen) 1150421
Reuters reported that about 75% of overseas Nepali migrant workers are employed in Middle Eastern countries, mainly as construction laborers.
Nepal, a cash-strapped country in the Himalayas with a $42 billion economy, relies on remittances from migrant workers for more than a quarter of its economy.
A spokesperson for the Nepal Ministry of Labour told Reuters that the resumption of permits "is based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the high demand from laborers."
Nepal requires its citizens who wish to work abroad to obtain a government-issued work permit, but it suspended issuing permits for Gulf countries from March 1, the day after the US, in conjunction with Israel, launched a war against Iran.
According to the World Bank, Nepal, with a population of 30 million, has a youth unemployment rate of 20.6%, the highest among South and Southeast Asian countries.
Industry insiders say at least 3 million Nepali nationals work overseas. Unions estimate that due to the scarcity of domestic job opportunities, about 1,500 young people leave Nepal every day for employment abroad. (Compiled by: Yang Chao-yen) 1150421