UAE Work Visa 2026 for Nepali Nationals
Complete guide for Nepali workers: DOFE approval, Foreign Employment Smart Card, pre-departure orientation (PDO), GAMCA medical, Nepal MoFA attestation, UAE Embassy Kathmandu — full 2026 ICP rules for Nepali passport holders.
Key 2026 Updates for Nepali Nationals in UAE
Nepal Government & UAE Embassy Contacts
UAE Work Visa for Nepalis — Step by Step
Nepali workers must complete DOFE approval and pre-departure requirements in Nepal alongside UAE employer processing. Both must be done before departure.
Job Offer via DOFE-Licensed Agency
Secure UAE job offer through a DOFE-licensed manpower company (verify at dofe.gov.np). The demand letter must be authenticated by the Nepal Embassy in UAE. Never pay fees to unlicensed agents — common fraud targeting Nepali workers.
GAMCA Medical & DOFE Registration
Complete GAMCA pre-departure medical at an approved clinic in Nepal. Register with DOFE for the Foreign Employment Smart Card — biometric enrollment at DOFE Tahachal or district labour offices. Complete Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) session.
Work Permit & Entry Permit (UAE)
UAE employer applies for work permit through MOHRE. Entry permit (60-day) issued once approved. Employer handles UAE-side processing. Run MoFA attestation in Nepal in parallel during this wait time.
Medical Test & Biometrics (UAE)
Complete mandatory MOHAP medical fitness test in UAE (blood test, chest X-ray, infectious disease panel). Register Emirates ID biometrics simultaneously via ICP. Nepal pre-departure GAMCA results are noted but UAE test is still required.
Emirates ID & Residence Visa Stamping
Emirates ID processed by ICP after medical clearance. Residence visa stamped on Nepali passport. Valid 2–3 years. Register at Nepal Embassy Dubai or Consulate Abu Dhabi within 30 days of arrival for welfare and consular coverage.
DOFE Pre-Departure Requirements — Complete Guide
Department of Foreign Employment (DOFE) requirements must be completed before departing Nepal for UAE. Workers without DOFE Smart Card have no Nepal government welfare protection abroad.
Critical Notes for Nepali Nationals
- Never deploy without DOFE Smart Card — TIA immigration checks on departure
- Never use an unlicensed manpower agent — verify every company at dofe.gov.np
- Devanagari script documents need certified English translation before MoFA attestation
- Run MoFA attestation while waiting for UAE entry permit — saves 2–3 weeks
- Register at Nepal Embassy Dubai / Consulate Abu Dhabi within 30 days of arrival
- Keep DOFE Smart Card and welfare fund enrollment number safe throughout your stay
Documents & Cost for Nepali Nationals 2026
Required Documents
- Valid Nepali passport — 6+ months validity + cover page copy (2026 rule)
- DOFE Foreign Employment Smart Card
- DOFE welfare fund enrollment certificate
- GAMCA pre-departure medical clearance
- Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) certificate
- Employment contract (DOFE-verified)
- Educational certificates — certified English translation (if Devanagari) + MoFA + UAE Embassy Kathmandu + UAE MOFA attested
- Citizenship certificate (Nagarikta Praman Patra) + translation
- Police clearance (Nepal Police)
- Demand letter verified by Nepal Embassy UAE
- Entry permit from UAE employer via ICP/GDRFA
Complete Cost Breakdown
- GAMCA medical (Nepal): NPR 5,000–12,000
- DOFE Smart Card + welfare fund: NPR 1,500–3,500
- PDO session: NPR 500–1,500
- MoFA attestation (per doc): NPR 500–1,000
- Certified translation (if Devanagari): NPR 1,000–3,000/doc
- UAE Embassy Kathmandu attestation: NPR 2,000–6,000/doc
- Work permit (UAE MOHRE): AED 600–800
- Entry permit: AED 300–550
- Medical test (UAE MOHAP): AED 300–500
- Emirates ID (2 years): AED 370
- Residence visa stamping: AED 1,000
- Total UAE side: AED 3,000–4,000 (≈NPR 400,000–540,000)
Eligibility for Nepalis
- Minimum age 18 years (check current DOFE rules for female workers)
- Valid Nepali passport and citizenship certificate
- DOFE-licensed agency job offer
- DOFE Smart Card enrollment (mandatory)
- DOFE welfare fund contribution (mandatory)
- Pass GAMCA pre-departure medical
- Pass UAE MOHAP medical test
- Nepal Police clearance
- Demand letter authenticated by Nepal Embassy UAE
- No UAE visa ban or unpaid overstay fines
| Fee Component | Authority | Cost (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work Permit Application | MOHRE | 100 | Standard processing fee |
| Work Permit Issuance | MOHRE | 500–700 | Depends on company category |
| Entry Permit (from Nepal) | ICP/GDRFA | 300–550 | 60-day validity for entry |
| Change of Status (in UAE) | ICP/GDRFA | 550 | If already in UAE on visit visa |
| Emirates ID (2 Years) | ICP (Federal) | 370 | Mandatory biometric card |
| Medical Fitness Test (UAE) | MOHAP Centers | 300–500 | Blood test + chest X-ray |
| Residence Visa (2 Years) | ICP/GDRFA | 1,000 | Stamped on Nepali passport |
| Smart Service / E-Fee | Digital (2026) | 100 | Online processing charge |
| Typing Center | PRO/Typing | 100–200 | Recommended for first-timers |
| TOTAL (2-Year Visa) | — | AED 3,000–4,000 | ≈ NPR 400,000–540,000 |
UAE Visa Types Available to Nepali Nationals
All UAE visa categories open to Nepali passport holders. Security, IT, and healthcare professionals benefit most from self-sponsored options.
Standard Work Visa
Most Nepalis in UAE hold this. Employer-sponsored via DOFE-licensed agency for initial deployment. DOFE Smart Card mandatory. Change jobs via NOC or cancellation after 60-day grace period.
Green Visa (5 Years)
For Nepali professionals earning AED 15,000+. Self-sponsored — no DOFE agency process for renewals. Change employers freely without NOC. Best for IT engineers, senior accountants, healthcare.
Golden Visa
Nepali engineers, nurses, and accountants earning AED 30,000+ basic salary. 5–10 year residency, no employer dependency, full family sponsorship. Expanded categories in 2026.
Security / Facility Sector
Major employment sector for Nepalis. UAE security industry heavily employs Nepali ex-Gurkha personnel. Standard work visa. Specialized licensing through relevant UAE security authority.
Remote Work Visa
For Nepalis working remotely for foreign companies. Requires $3,500/month income + 6 months bank statements (updated Jan 2026). Growing Nepali IT/freelancing community in UAE.
Job Seeker Visa
For Nepali graduates from top 500 universities (Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu University qualifications may apply). Enter UAE to search for employment without pre-arranged sponsor.
Complete Timeline for Nepali Nationals
Including Nepal-side DOFE registration and MoFA attestation. Total 4–8 weeks from job offer to residence visa stamping.
GAMCA Medical (Nepal)
Pre-departure medical at GAMCA clinic in Nepal. Results shared electronically with UAE employer.
DOFE Smart Card + PDO
Biometric Smart Card enrollment at DOFE Tahachal. PDO session. Welfare fund contribution.
Work Permit (UAE) + MoFA Attestation
Employer applies via MOHRE. Run MoFA → UAE Embassy Kathmandu attestation in parallel.
Medical & Biometrics (UAE)
MOHAP medical test + Emirates ID biometrics at ICP center after arrival in UAE.
Visa Stamping
Residence visa stamped on Nepali passport. Register at Nepal Embassy Dubai or Consulate Abu Dhabi.
Nepal-Specific Expert Tips
- Verify manpower company at dofe.gov.np BEFORE paying any fees
- Demand letter must be authenticated by Nepal Embassy UAE before DOFE approval
- Get certified English translation of Devanagari documents before starting MoFA attestation
- Register at Nepal Embassy Dubai (Al Wasl Road) or Consulate Abu Dhabi within 30 days
- Keep DOFE Smart Card and welfare fund number safe — family needs it for claims
- Download UAE Pass app and MOHRE app before leaving Nepal
- Employer holding passport: illegal in UAE — contact Nepal Embassy Dubai immediately
- DOFE helpline from Nepal: 1180
Important 2026 Rules
- Overstay fines: AED 50/day from Day 1 — no grace period
- Passport cover page copy required for all 2026 applications
- Visa cancellation grace period: 60 days (2026)
- Remote Work Visa: 6 months bank statements (Jan 2026)
- Citizenship certificate (Nagarikta) required — with certified English translation
- All documents must be in English — Devanagari needs certified translation
- Female workers under 30: check current DOFE Gulf deployment rules
- Senior workers 65+: AED 5,000 additional UAE surcharge
Family Sponsorship for Nepalis
- Min. salary: AED 4,000/month (or AED 3,000 + accommodation)
- Sons sponsored up to age 25 (if enrolled in institution)
- Unmarried daughters: any age
- Parents: AED 20,000/month minimum
- Lagan Darta (marriage cert): certified English translation + MoFA + UAE Embassy Ktm + UAE MOFA
- Janma Darta (birth cert): same attestation chain
- Family visa cost: AED 4,500–6,500 per person (≈NPR 600,000–870,000)
Frequently Asked Questions — Nepalis in UAE 2026
Top questions from Nepali nationals about UAE work visa, DOFE process, and 2026 rules.
Required steps:
1. Job offer through DOFE-licensed manpower company — verify at dofe.gov.np
2. Demand letter authenticated by Nepal Embassy in UAE
3. GAMCA pre-departure medical at approved Nepal clinic
4. DOFE Smart Card enrollment (biometric) at DOFE Tahachal, Kathmandu or district labour office
5. DOFE welfare fund contribution (included in Smart Card fees)
6. Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) session
7. Smart Card shown at TIA airport immigration on departure
Welfare fund covers: Death, permanent disability, hospitalisation, repatriation. DOFE helpline: 1180. Keep Smart Card number safe — family in Nepal needs it for welfare fund claims.
Affected documents include:
• Nagarikta Praman Patra (citizenship certificate)
• Lagan Darta (marriage registration certificate)
• Janma Darta (birth registration certificate)
• Academic certificates issued in Nepali
• Any other government documents in Devanagari
Attestation chain after translation:
1. Certified English translation by a registered translator
2. Nepal MoFA attestation — mofa.gov.np — Singha Durbar, Kathmandu — 2–4 working days
3. UAE Embassy Kathmandu — Chakupat, Lalitpur — 3–5 working days
4. UAE MOFA in UAE — via typing centers — 2–3 days
Cost: MoFA NPR 500–1,000/doc + certified translation NPR 1,000–3,000/doc + UAE Embassy Kathmandu NPR 2,000–6,000/doc.
Eligible categories:
• Skilled professionals: Bachelor's degree + AED 15,000+ monthly salary
• Freelancers: Valid UAE freelance permit + AED 15,000+ average income
• Investors: Active UAE trade license
Key advantage for Nepalis: Green Visa is self-sponsored — no DOFE agency involvement for renewals after the first entry. Change employers freely without NOC. 180-day grace period to find new job or leave UAE.
Primary candidates: Senior Nepali IT engineers, accountants, civil/structural engineers, and senior nurses. The Green Visa eliminates agency fees on renewal, saving NPR 50,000–150,000 compared to agency-processed renewals every 2 years.
Common situations for Nepali workers:
• Job change — old visa cancelled, new one not yet processed within 60-day window
• Returned from Nepal vacation but residence visa expired during extended stay
• Visit visa expired while awaiting work visa processing
How to check: icp.gov.ae — enter passport number
How to pay: ICP portal, UAE Pass app, or airport immigration before departure
Fines must be cleared before any future UAE visa applications. Nepal Embassy Dubai (nepalembassydubai.com) on Al Wasl Road can provide guidance for workers in hardship.
UAE-side options:
1. File complaint with MOHRE — mohre.gov.ae or MOHRE app (free)
2. Employer withholding passport: illegal in UAE — file police complaint immediately
3. Wage Protection System: unpaid wages reported to MOHRE
4. 60-day grace period after visa cancellation to find new employer
Nepal government channels:
1. Nepal Embassy Dubai — nepalembassydubai.com — Al Wasl Road, Dubai
2. Nepal Consulate Abu Dhabi — Al Mushrif Area
3. DOFE welfare fund: covers repatriation and hospitalisation
4. File at dofe.gov.np or call DOFE helpline 1180 from Nepal
Common fraud: "free visa" scams targeting Nepali workers for domestic roles. Always verify agency at dofe.gov.np and insist on DOFE-verified demand letter.
• Spouse + children: AED 4,000/month OR AED 3,000 if employer provides accommodation
• Parents from Nepal: AED 20,000/month, or AED 10,000 humanitarian permit
• Female Nepali sponsor (wife sponsoring husband): AED 10,000/month + ICP approval
Key Nepal-specific documents:
• Lagan Darta (marriage certificate): certified English translation + Nepal MoFA + UAE Embassy Kathmandu + UAE MOFA
• Janma Darta (birth certificate): same attestation chain
• All Devanagari documents need certified English translation as first step
Family visa cost per person: AED 4,500–6,500 (≈NPR 600,000–870,000).
Start Your UAE Journey Safely 🇳🇵
Over 500,000 Nepalis live and work in UAE. Always use DOFE-licensed agencies, complete your Smart Card registration, and apply through official UAE government portals.