Nepal government has taken initiatives to assist Nepali nationals stranded in the conflict hit Gulf countries to return home via Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said.
The arrangement comes as tensions in West Asia continue to escalate following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran and retaliatory strikes by Iranian military.
Nepali missions will facilitate Saudi visas for Nepali nationals in Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates who wish to travel to Saudi Arabia before returning home, said a statement issued by MoFA on Monday.
The ministry has asked Nepalese migrant workers stranded in the Gulf region to register their name through online registration. The ministry has requested Nepalis willing to return home to submit a photocopy of their passport, a copy of their visa and details of their travel plans to the Nepali embassies in the respective countries, according to the statement.
MoFA said air services to Saudi Arabia and Oman are currently operating, allowing Nepali nationals to travel by air from those destinations as well.
So far, more than 70,000 Nepali citizens had registered their details in the online registration system launched by the Department of Consular Services to collect updated information on Nepalis in West Asia. “Limited flights are operating from certain locations in the West Asia region. Discussions are also underway regarding the operation of flights to Nepal. Nepali citizens wishing to return may travel by air from places where flights are currently operating,” the ministry said.
