Length of stay for foreign workers increases

KATHMANDU, Aug 20: The length of stay has been increased for foreign workers who come to Nepal for work. They are now able to stay in Nepal for 12 years.

Engineer Maninath Gop, the Spokesperson of the Department of Labour and Occupational Safety, informed that the duration of stay was increased after the first amendment of the Labour Regulations 2075.

Before the amendment, foreign workers were only allowed to stay in Nepal for 7 years after obtaining a work permit.

The Labour Regulations has a provision to grant work permits to foreign workers for 3 years and specially or technically skilled foreign workers for 5 years. 

But in special circumstances, there was a legal provision where the stay duration of foreign workers who made significant contributions to the country's educational, social and science and technology sectors as well as to the national interest and public welfare could be extended for two more years.

This allowed foreign workers to work in Nepal for a maximum of 7 years. This was amended in the Labour Regulation as 7 years might not be enough for big projects like hydropower, tunnels and road development.