The other articles in this series focus on the destination country's visa system (Dubai, Saudi, Qatar). This one covers the Nepal-side process — relevant no matter which Gulf country you're headed to.
What You Need Going From Nepal to the Gulf
DoFE labor permit: Every outbound worker needs a labor permit from the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE). Recruiting agencies must hold a DoFE license under the Foreign Employment Act, 2007 — never work with an unlicensed agent.
"Free visa, free ticket" policy: Nepal's government policy requires the employer to bear visa and air-ticket costs for the worker, not the other way around — a real protection worth knowing before you agree to any deal that asks you to pay for these yourself.
Foreign Employment Board: supports migrant-worker welfare throughout the process — worth knowing this exists if you run into problems during recruitment or abroad.
The numbers right now: DoFE issued 792,187 labor permits in FY2025/26, of which 406,404 went to new workers — and the Gulf region (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain) remains the backbone of Nepal's labor migration, absorbing the large majority of these workers. Worth knowing: permits for 12 countries were briefly suspended after West Asia tensions escalated on 1 March 2026, but resumed for all destinations except Iraq from 20 April 2026 — check current status before finalizing travel plans. (Source: Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE), Himal Press — last checked September 2026.)
What Your CV Should Include
- Trade certification, if you have one — helps match you to the right skill category
- Clear, verified employment history and passport validity (most Gulf visas need 6+ months remaining)
- Recruiter/agency name, if applying through one — confirm they hold a valid DoFE license before agreeing to anything
- Remember: you should never be asked to pay for your own visa or ticket under the "free visa, free ticket" policy
How Resume Arab Helps
The wizard already supports Nepal as a nationality, with passport and trade-certification fields built in — the AI combines your trade with these details into one complete, Gulf-ready CV.
FAQs
Q: Do I need to go through an agent to apply? Not always — many roles come through direct employer postings or trusted circulars. If you do use an agent, confirm they hold a valid DoFE license first.
Q: Is the Gulf market still open for Nepali workers right now? Yes, as of the most recent update — permits for all destinations except Iraq resumed on 20 April 2026 after a brief suspension. Keep your documents and CV ready so you can move quickly once a good opportunity comes up.
Build your Gulf-ready CV now — with Nepal-specific fields, powered by AI.