Kathmandu, The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has imposed a halt on issuing work visas to Nepali citizens, escalating concerns among aspiring migrant workers and recruitment agencies in Nepal. This decision comes shortly after the UAE had already suspended visit visas for Nepalis, reportedly in response to recent unrest in Nepal.

According to sources, the UAE stopped issuing work visas starting Tuesday, though no official timeline has been provided regarding how long the suspension will last. The initial ban on visit visas was followed almost immediately by a halt in worker visa processing, catching many unprepared and throwing Nepal’s foreign employment sector into confusion.

The UAE is one of the top destinations for Nepali migrant workers, especially for those with minimal education or seeking low-cost overseas opportunities. Over the years, UAE-based employers in the tourism, manufacturing, and service sectors have created numerous job opportunities, significantly increasing the demand for Nepali workers.

Estimates suggest that nearly 800,000 Nepalis are currently employed in the UAE, with around 70,000 of them having initially entered on visit visas before converting to work permits. This pathway has been a common practice for many Nepalis seeking better job prospects abroad.

Recruitment agencies have reported that despite submitting applications for worker visas, the UAE authorities have started rejecting them without clarification. This has not only affected job seekers but also created uncertainty among manpower companies and travel service providers. The Nepali Embassy in Abu Dhabi has stated that it has not yet received any official communication from the UAE government regarding the visa ban.

Previously, when the UAE halted visit visas, agencies began processing them through alternative emirates like Sharjah. However, those channels have also reportedly closed, leaving no current options for obtaining UAE visas.

The move is suspected to be linked to the recent Gen-Z movement in Nepal, during which incidents of vandalism, arson, and even prisoner escapes were reported. Though there is no official confirmation that the visa suspension is directly connected to these events, the timing has fueled speculation.

The UAE had earlier imposed similar visa bans on citizens from countries like Egypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Uganda. With this latest move, Nepal has now been added to that list.

As the situation unfolds, thousands of Nepali youth preparing for employment in the UAE are now in limbo, while recruitment companies are calling for urgent clarification and diplomatic intervention.