Qatar and UAE Lead: Top Countries Hiring Nepali Migrant Workers in 2025

Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have emerged as the top destinations for Nepali migrant workers in 2025/26, according to the latest data from the Department of Foreign Employment. Together, these two countries account for the largest share of labor approvals, both in new institutional entries and renewals.

In the new entry category, the UAE topped the list with 17,779 workers (40% share), overtaking Saudi Arabia by a wide margin. Qatar followed in third place with 4,411 workers (9.9%), showing a consistent upward trend with a 17.2% rise compared to last year.

In the renew entry category, Qatar continued to dominate, receiving 7,673 Nepali workers (32.5%), while the UAE followed closely with 6,059 workers (25.6%). Both countries remain vital for Nepal’s labor migration, with steady inflows of both new recruits and returning workers.

Analysts say this concentration reflects stable demand in Gulf economies, particularly in construction, services, hospitality, and infrastructure projects. The FIFA World Cup legacy in Qatar has sustained large-scale projects, while the UAE’s expanding service and logistics sector keeps attracting Nepali labor.

However, experts also warn of over-reliance: with nearly two-thirds of Nepal’s labor migration tied to just a handful of Gulf nations, any policy changes or economic downturns in these countries could severely impact Nepal’s remittance-driven economy.