Nepal Clarifies Departure Requirements for Migrant Workers

Nepal’s Immigration Department on Friday moved to clear up confusion over departure rules for Nepali migrant workers, saying they do not need to present additional documents, such as bills or receipts, when leaving the country for foreign employment.

The department said the requirement had been widely misunderstood after a notice from the Department of Foreign Employment and related media reports sparked concern among travelers and their families.

In a public notice, the Immigration Department said migrant workers leaving Nepal only need to carry the basic documents required under immigration law, including a passport and a labor permit issued by the Department of Foreign Employment. It said no additional paperwork is required at the immigration desk for Nepali workers traveling abroad for jobs.

The clarification came after reports suggested that Nepali workers departing Tribhuvan International Airport might need to show bills or receipts before being allowed to leave the country. The department said that was not the case and urged travelers not to be confused by inaccurate or incomplete information.

For Nepalis traveling on visit visas, the department said departures have been simplified under a ministry-level decision issued Oct. 30, 2025, which requires a passport valid for at least six months, a flight ticket to the destination country, a visa for the destination country, and a self-declaration form.

Labor migration remains a cornerstone of Nepal’s economy and a vital livelihood strategy for hundreds of thousands of families. The country sends large numbers of workers—predominantly young men, though the share of women is gradually rising—to destinations in Gulf Cooperation Council countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, as well as Malaysia and, increasingly, nations in Central and Eastern Europe.

Immigration data show that 80,000 Nepalis departed the country in February 2026 for foreign employment.