Nepal Reports Over 1.7 Million Citizens Legally Employed in Middle East Amid Regional Tensions

Kathmandu. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed that 1,729,288 Nepali citizens are currently working and residing legally in various countries in the Middle East.

At a press conference organized by the Ministry on Sunday, Ramkaji Khadka, Head of the Central Asia, West Asia, and Africa Division and Joint Secretary, shared that the highest number, approximately seven lakh Nepalis, are in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Similarly, there are 384,865 Nepalis in Saudi Arabia, 357,913 in Qatar, and 175,000 in Kuwait. The Ministry stated that in conflict zones and areas nearby, there are 30,000 Nepalis in Iraq, 28,000 in Bahrain, 25,000 in Oman, 17,000 in Cyprus, about 6,500 in Israel, and 1,500 in Lebanon.

It was informed that there are 500 Nepalis in Egypt and 10 in Iran, with 4 of those in Iran in the process of returning and 6 remaining there.

The Ministry clarified that this data only includes legally present Nepalis received from embassies and does not include the number of those residing illegally.

Stating that the security of Nepalis there is the government's top priority, the Ministry announced that preparations for emergency evacuation have already begun.

Nepal Government Speaks Out on Middle East Tensions

It was also informed at the press conference that a 'Multi-Stakeholder Emergency Rescue Team' comprising all concerned bodies, coordinated by the Foreign Secretary under the direction of the Chief Secretary, has been formed.

The Ministry stated that a dedicated 'WhatsApp Group' has been created to exchange immediate information with the heads of the 8 Nepali embassies and 2 consulates general in the Middle East, and updates are being taken 24 hours a day.

To facilitate easier evacuation if an emergency rescue becomes necessary, an online registration platform and app are being developed through the Department of Consular Services, allowing Nepalis to fill in their details. The Ministry announced that this system will be available on all embassy websites within one or two days. Additionally, a hotline service is being prepared to operate 24 hours a day at the department.

The government is coordinating with the Ministry of Tourism, airlines, and foreign employment entrepreneurs to manage Nepalis who could not reach their destinations due to flight disruptions caused by the tension, those stranded at airports because they used the Middle East as a transit point to Europe or the US, and those who could not fly despite having visas. In this sensitive situation, the government has also initiated discussions on temporarily halting 'work permits' and 'NOCs' for travel to high-risk countries.

Tensions in the Middle East escalated after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, prompting a retaliatory strike from Iran.