Nepal Gulf Labour Approvals Fall 52% as Hiring Slows in 2026

Nepal Gulf labour approvals have fallen by more than half in 2026. New approvals for jobs in Gulf countries dropped 52.12%, from 228,165 to 109,249, between 28 February and mid-September 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to Department of Foreign Employment data reported by The Kathmandu Post on 26 September 2026. The newspaper links the fall to the Middle East conflict that began on 28 February.

Key facts

• New Gulf labour approvals: 109,249 in 2026, down from 228,165 in the same period of 2025 (-52.12%).
• Period: 28 February to mid-September, year on year.
• Biggest falls: UAE (-59.05%) and Saudi Arabia (-57.02%).
• Oman was the only Gulf country with a rise (+24.33%).
• About 1.9 million Nepalis, around 60% of Nepal’s overseas workers, are in the Gulf, the report says.
• Reported on 26 September 2026, based on Department of Foreign Employment data.

Why Nepal Gulf labour approvals fell

According to The Kathmandu Post, the conflict in the Middle East that began on 28 February 2026 has hit Gulf economies that depend on tourism, trade, construction and investment, and employers there have slowed hiring.

The Department of Foreign Employment data, as reported, shows new labour approvals for the Gulf fell by country as follows:

• United Arab Emirates: -59.05%
• Saudi Arabia: -57.02%
• Bahrain: -45.49%
• Kuwait: -42.93%
• Qatar: -35.08%
• Oman: +24.33%

The report also cites a World Bank projection that Gulf economic growth will slow to 1.3% in 2026 from 4.4% in 2025.

A former ambassador quoted in the report explained the pattern. Companies under pressure first stop hiring, then cut overtime, before reducing permanent staff.

Who is affected

• Nepali workers planning a first job in the Gulf, especially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
• Workers already in the Gulf, who may see less overtime and fewer contract renewals.
• Families in Nepal who rely on remittances from Gulf jobs.
• Manpower agencies that recruit mainly for Gulf employers.

What it means for Nepali workers

The Gulf has long been the largest destination for Nepali workers. A halving of Nepal Gulf labour approvals means many people who planned to go this year have not been able to.

Labour Ministry spokesperson Mira Acharya told the newspaper the government is preparing a 10-year employment programme. The government also plans programmes to help returning workers find jobs at home, but details and dates have not been published.

Some workers and students are looking at other countries. Each has its own rules, costs and language tests. For example, the South Korea EPS program and Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker program both require language and skills tests. Study routes to Australia, Canada and the UK have their own financial requirements. Our student visa money calculator can help you see the cost in rupees if you are thinking of study abroad instead. If you already work abroad, our guide to sending money to Nepal covers legal ways to send your earnings home.

Be careful with offers that seem too good to be true. When jobs are scarce, fraud often rises.

What to do now

1. Before paying any agency, check that it is licensed with the Department of Foreign Employment.
2. Get a written job contract and confirm the job description and salary before you leave.
3. Do not pay more than the legal service charge, and always ask for a receipt.
4. If you are already in the Gulf, keep copies of your contract, visa and pay slips, and register with the Nepali embassy.
5. If you plan to switch to another country, research its official visa rules first, not social media posts.

What we don’t know yet

• How long the slowdown will last. It depends on the conflict and on Gulf economies.
• When the government’s 10-year employment programme will start and what it will include.
• Whether approvals for non-Gulf destinations such as Malaysia, Japan, South Korea or Europe have risen to offset the fall. The report does not give these figures.
• We could not open the Department of Foreign Employment’s own statistics page to check the numbers directly. All figures here are as reported by The Kathmandu Post.

Frequently asked questions

How much have Nepal Gulf labour approvals fallen?

By 52.12%, from 228,165 to 109,249, between 28 February and mid-September 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, as reported.

Which Gulf country saw the biggest drop?

The UAE, with a fall of 59.05%, followed by Saudi Arabia at 57.02%.

Is any Gulf country hiring more Nepalis?

Oman was the only Gulf country with an increase, up 24.33%, according to the report.

Sources

• Gulf job opportunities are narrowing for Nepalis – The Kathmandu Post (26 September 2026)

Last checked: 7 October 2026. This is general information, not immigration advice.