Over 73,000 Nepalis Receive Foreign Employment Permits in a Month

Nepal continues to see a high number of citizens seeking jobs abroad. According to the Department of Foreign Employment under the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, a total of 73,765 Nepalis received final labor approvals between September 17 and October 17. Of them, 63,377 were men, accounting for 85.91 percent, while 10,388 were women, representing 14.08 percent. The figures include 43,559 first-time labor approvals and 30,206 re-entry approvals for workers returning to previous overseas jobs. The UAE topped the list of destinations, receiving 23,899 Nepali workers, or 32.39 percent of the total. Qatar ranked second with 11,497 workers, followed by Malaysia with 9,653, Saudi Arabia with 8,366 and Kuwait with 6,027. Romania led among European destinations with 3,478 workers, while Japan, Türkiye, South Korea and Oman also featured among the top destinations. More than 106 countries received Nepali workers during the reporting period. In terms of skill classification, skilled workers accounted for 55.17 percent of the total, with 40,700 workers receiving approval. Meanwhile, 20,228 workers, or 27.42 percent, were classified as unskilled, while 12,342 were semi-skilled. The figures highlight the continued challenge of preparing workers for higher-paying and safer employment opportunities abroad. At the district level, Jhapa recorded the highest number of labor approvals at 3,490, followed by Dhanusha with 3,326 and Morang with 3,177. Districts in Madhesh and Koshi provinces accounted for a significant share of migrant workers, while the numbers were considerably lower in Himalayan districts such as Manang, Mustang, Dolpa and Humla. Recruitment agencies remained a major channel for overseas employment, accounting for 31,602 workers, while re-entry approvals represented 30,206. The continued outflow of workers is expected to support Nepal’s remittance income, but it also highlights concerns over domestic job opportunities, the departure of young workers and the need to expand access to skilled employment and safer foreign labor markets.