KATHMANDU, April 29: The number of Nepali youths heading to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for foreign employment has surged sharply in recent times. In the first nine months of the current fiscal year (from mid-July to mid-April), the UAE has become the top labour destination for Nepali migrant workers. Among the countries Nepalis choose for employment, the UAE ranks first among Gulf nations.
According to data from the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE), a total of 137,892 Nepalis left for the UAE after obtaining labour permits in the first nine months of FY 2025/26. This figure includes both new and renewed labour approvals combined. In recent months, the UAE has once again become the primary destination for Nepali workers. This shift is influenced by both structural factors in the labour market and regional conditions.
According to Pitambar Ghimire, spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, one of the main reasons is a recent slump in Malaysia’s labour demand. During this period, Malaysia only recruited workers in the plantation sector, while opportunities in other sectors remained limited. As a result, many Nepali workers shifted toward alternative destinations such as the UAE. Although Malaysia has now reopened other sectors, the earlier slump has already influenced both worker perception and migration flow toward the UAE.
He said, “Due to the lack of sufficient employment opportunities within the country, a large number of youths have gone abroad,” adding that the UAE has become the top labour destination for Nepalis. He further explained that there are several key reasons behind this trend.
“First, there is continuous demand for workers in sectors such as construction, services, security, hospitality, restaurants, and driving, which attracts Nepali youths,” he said.
UAE becomes a preferred destination for Nepali migrant workers
He also noted that comparatively easier visa processing and faster labour approval have contributed to Nepalis choosing the UAE.
According to him, higher wages and opportunities for overtime also make the destination attractive, especially for skilled workers. In addition, networks formed by earlier Nepali migrants help new workers secure jobs and accommodation, further strengthening migration flows.
Rapid urbanisation, infrastructure expansion, and growth in the tourism industry in major UAE cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi have increased labour demand. The UAE is also considered a transit hub, where it is relatively easy to travel onward to other countries, especially due to e-visa systems, which some workers use as a first-step destination, officials say.
Nepali workers in the UAE include both men and women in significant numbers. Men are mainly employed in construction work, security services, driving, hospitality, and technical jobs, while women are mostly engaged in domestic work, hotel and restaurant cleaning services, and caregiving jobs. Some women also travel independently without manpower agencies.
According to labour migration expert Ganesh Gurung, the UAE is a wealthy country with a rich culture, natural beauty, and is also a major trade hub in the Middle East. Therefore, it has become one of the most preferred destinations for Nepali workers. He added that Dubai’s rapid population growth is driven by multiple factors, especially its global outlook, which has attracted a large number of foreign residents.
“Among the five major labour destinations for Nepali migrants, the UAE is one of them,” he said, adding that among Gulf countries, it has now become the top destination for foreign employment.
He further said that Nepali families often prefer the UAE due to its relatively organised, safe, and dignified working environment.
According to DoFE data, most Nepalis going to the UAE are from Madhesh Province. Youths from rural areas often rely on local agents and manpower companies to go abroad. Currently, the main labour destinations for Nepalis include UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Malaysia, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, according to departmental statistics.
Remittances sent by workers in the UAE also remain an important pillar of Nepal’s economy, contributing to its popularity as a destination.
At present, Nepalis are also going to countries such as Croatia, Poland, and Romania in search of access to Europe, indicating a possible shift in labour destinations in the future. However, experts say that the compulsion to go abroad for work is unlikely to change in the near term.
According to DoFE data, a total of 587,340 Nepalis obtained labour permits for foreign employment in the first nine months of FY 2025.26. In the previous fiscal year 2024/25, 839,266 Nepalis went abroad for work, the highest ever recorded. Since those going to India are not required to obtain labour permits, the total number of Nepalis working abroad is even higher than official records.
Overall, due to employment opportunities, relative stability, easier processes, and better income prospects, the UAE has become the first choice for Nepali workers. Although regional conflicts have added some uncertainty, experts say Nepali labour migration to the UAE is likely to continue considering the long-term security and organized labour market.
