Nepal issued more than 839,000 work permits in the past year. Most of these went to young men going to the Gulf, Malaysia, and a growing number of European and East Asian countries. For a lot of people, moving is not a career choice but something that is expected of them: "Everyone in my village goes abroad, so I will too." Remittances from this mass departure support millions of households and make a big difference to the national economy, but the trend has also made problems worse, such as unplanned migration, a lack of skilled workers at home, and workers being vulnerable abroad.
The top ten destinations by approvals between mid-July 2024 and mid-July 2025 were the United Arab Emirates (274,590), Saudi Arabia (152,557), Qatar (140,792), Kuwait (59,065), Malaysia (49,187), Japan (23,071), Republic of Korea (14,224), Romania (12,436), Croatia (7,184), and Cyprus (6,025), according to the Department of Foreign Employment. The vast majority of migrant deployments were from these nations combined. The outflow is primarily from Terai districts such as Morang, Jhapa, Siraha, Sarlahi, and Dhanusha, but it also comes from a number of hilly districts, including Syangja, Gulmi, and Kaski. Despite the size of this movement, Nepal is facing a shortage of domestic workers in trades like construction, plumbing, and electrical work, many of which are filled by migrant workers from India.
The unwillingness of many Nepali workers to complete vocational training prior to departure is a significant contributing factor to this paradox. Workers frequently forego skills certification if a receiving country does not require it in order to obtain a visa, despite the fact that doing so lowers their earning potential and raises the possibility of exploitation. In competitive labor markets, where employers are increasingly looking for workers with demonstrated skills and adaptability, Nepal's position is further weakened by the absence of structured preparation.
Due primarily to lower migration costs, the Gulf States continue to employ the greatest number of Nepali workers. Nevertheless, these positions frequently entail long hours, low pay, and limited opportunities for growth. On the other hand, places like South Korea, Japan, and a number of European nations provide higher wages, safer working conditions, and, in certain situations, the opportunity to settle down. However, getting into these markets is much more difficult and calls for industry-specific knowledge, cultural sensitivity, and language skills.
European nations like Malta, Cyprus, Romania, and Croatia are hiring skilled manpower in construction, caregiving, and hospitality sectors. These jobs usually require a basic level of language proficiency in addition to vocational qualifications. However, a large number of Nepali candidates attempt to secure these positions without sufficient training, which hinders their ability to advance in their careers and increase their income.
It will be possible to transform migration from a cycle of necessity into a platform for sustainable development and national pride by bridging the gaps between zeal and preparedness, between credentials and real-world skills.
Although many people consider South Korea's Employment Permit System (EPS) to be one of the most profitable, thousands of people must wait years for their chance due to the system's limited quota. Only those who are well-prepared are successful. Currently, approximately 700,000 young Nepalis are learning Japanese as part of Japan's Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program, but only a small percentage of applicants pass the necessary tests. This is indicative of a larger issue: an excessive focus on test-taking rather than developing practical communication and cultural competency.
Strong social norms also influence migration. Families of migrant workers are viewed as having higher status in many rural communities, which puts pressure on others to do the same. Young people frequently neglect important steps like learning job-specific skills, researching working conditions in their destination country, or comprehending their legal rights because they are in a rush to leave. They are more vulnerable to fraud, lack of flexibility, and heightened risks overseas as a result of this haste.
A concerted effort is necessary if Nepal is to transform migration into a more strategic and respectable process. Better pay and job security would be ensured by requiring skills certification prior to departure. Workers would be able to compete globally if Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs were expanded to meet the demands of global employers. While the government should concentrate on policy oversight rather than direct recruitment, recruitment agencies must be subject to stringent regulations in order to prevent fraud. At the same time, domestic industry, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship investments may present alternatives to employment abroad.
Although remittances will continue to be vital to Nepal's economy, worker dignity and the nation's ability to develop its skills shouldn't be sacrificed in the process. Nepal can improve its international standing and ensure better results for its citizens by coordinating preparation with the actual needs of destination nations, from the Gulf to Europe and East Asia. It will be possible to transform migration from a cycle of necessity into a platform for sustainable development and national pride by bridging the gaps between zeal and preparedness, between credentials and real-world skills.
(Mr. Giri is a restaurant investor in Kathmandu and Pokhara, as well as an experienced strategic business consultant specializing in cross-border payments and recruitments.)
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