Approximately 200,000 Nepalis Travel Abroad Annually

According to data from the Department of Immigration, nearly 200,000 Nepalis travel abroad each year for tourism and pilgrimage purposes. Over the past five years, more than seven hundred thousand Nepalis have traveled overseas for various reasons, with 52 percent seeking foreign employment. The number of Nepalis studying abroad was 26,000 in 2021 and is projected to increase fivefold to 133,000 by 2025.

Immigration department statistics indicate that from 2021 to 2025, an annual average of 199,976 Nepalis have traveled abroad specifically for tourism and pilgrimage. This figure excludes those who have gone overseas for study, family visits, or temporary and permanent residency. In 2025 alone, 233,108 Nepalis traveled abroad for tourism and pilgrimage.

Recent years have seen a consistent rise in Nepali emigration. Over the past five years, a total of 7,126,459 Nepalis have gone abroad for various purposes, with 52 percent engaged in foreign employment. The department states, “These statistics highlight Nepal’s structural economic dependence on foreign employment.”

Latest figures from the Department of Immigration show that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the most preferred destination for Nepalis traveling abroad. In the past five years, the highest number of outbound travelers have gone to the UAE, averaging 271,893 Nepalis annually.