Return Journey via Saudi Arabia Increasingly Expensive for Nepalis in Kuwait and Qatar

March 16, Kathmandu – The Government of Nepal has made arrangements allowing Nepalis working in Kuwait and Qatar to return home through Saudi Arabia.

Although Saudi Arabia’s air route is open, Nepalis are required to travel by road from Kuwait and Qatar to Saudi Arabia, and from there take a flight back to Nepal.

The ongoing conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran has caused concern among Nepalis residing in the Middle East. The Saudi route has been utilized for evacuating those facing difficulties.

The Nepali embassies in Kuwait and Qatar have arranged evacuations through tourist visas to Saudi Arabia and have called on applicants to apply online for visas.

The Nepali Embassy in Kuwait has stated that Nepalis holding Kuwait residency or civil IDs can apply online for transit visas, which allow them to enter Saudi Arabia by road.

Following visa approval, evacuees can transfer to the air route from Saudi Arabia, according to embassy information.

Similarly, the Nepali Embassy in Qatar announced that Nepalis can travel by road to Saudi Arabia from Qatar and then fly back to Nepal. Visa applications can be submitted online.

In Doha, appointments must be booked through the Taasheer Saudi Visa Center to complete the tourist visa application process.

However, these arrangements have sparked anger among Nepalis residing there, who have criticized the Nepalese government for charging exorbitant fees under the pretext of evacuation.

Nepalis working in Kuwait allege that the embassy has neglected its responsibilities, and that it costs nearly 400 Kuwaiti Dinars (KD) to return home, a sum they say is unaffordable amid issues related to food and accommodation.

Development worker Bibek Bhattarai, residing in Kuwait, has said he cannot afford to pay 400 KD due to lack of proper food, while Sirjan Karki accused authorities of exploiting workers under the guise of evacuation, stating that poor laborers cannot afford to spend more on tickets than their total earnings.

“They sell their sweat to go abroad but must spend 5 to 6 months’ income on tickets to return home, and this is called evacuation?” he wrote on social media. “Humanitarian treatment must improve, or else brokers will cause severe losses. For those living abroad, it might be better to die there.”

Meanwhile, Gyan Bahadur Tamang pointed out that while giving advice to citizens is helpful, the actual situation is problematic. He explained, “For daily wage laborers in Kuwait who are in debt, obtaining a Saudi visa and traveling overland to Saudi Arabia, then flying back to Nepal, is not an easy task.”

According to him, visa fees, transportation costs, border crossing hassles, and air ticket expenses are beyond the means of most workers, many of whom are already suffering from delayed monthly wages.

“When problems arise abroad, the government and embassies are responsible for Nepalese citizens. The solution must provide relief to the vulnerable, not impose additional expenses and hardships,” he said.

He also questioned why embassies have not devised any relief plans to help poor workers complete the necessary procedures and urged authorities to understand the actual conditions of affected individuals and take substantial action rather than merely issuing notices.

Nepalis in Qatar have also expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s decision, stating that embassy notices have caused more complications for those wishing to return amid this difficult situation.

Evacuating Nepali workers from the Gulf and Middle East is hindered by complications with airlines and visa procedures that the general public cannot easily resolve.

Kulprasad Karki, advisor to the Coordinating Committee of Nepalese Abroad, pointed out that embassies have shirked their responsibilities. Since workers must pay agencies’ and government fees with their limited earnings, it has become a significant burden.

“How can a laborer earning only 70 to 80 KD per month afford to pay 400 KD to return to Nepal?” he questioned. “This means one person spends the equivalent of 6 to 10 months of income just on the return journey.”

He emphasized that the government should actively engage with travel agencies and facilitate smoother evacuation processes.

Typically, returning from Kuwait or Saudi Arabia used to cost only around 20,000 to 30,000 Nepali Rupees, but now airfares exceed one lakh rupees, and with visa fees added, the total expense has risen above two lakh rupees, according to Karki.

He noted that securing flight tickets has become the main challenge rather than safety concerns in these countries, urging the government to facilitate solutions.

“People are under mental stress, fearing job losses and running out of money,” Karki said. “The government must treat this matter seriously.”