Nepal initiates steps to bring back its citizens stranded in West Asia

PTI, March 10, 2026, Kathmandu :  Nepal will facilitate Saudi visas for its nationals stranded in conflict-hit Gulf countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here said on Tuesday.

The move comes as tensions in West Asia continue to escalate following US-Israel strikes on Iran since February 28.

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, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a statement.

MoFA said air services to Saudi Arabia and Oman are currently operational, allowing Nepali nationals to travel by air from these destinations.

“Limited flights are operating from certain locations in the West Asia region," said MoFA, adding that the discussions are underway about the operation of flights to Nepal.

"Nepali citizens wishing to return may travel by air from places where flights are currently operating,” it said.

The ministry has asked citizens of the Himalayan nation stranded in the Gulf region to register their names online.

Those willing to return will have to submit a photocopy of their passport, a copy of their visa and details of their travel plans to the Nepali embassy in the respective countries, the statement added.

As of Monday, 57,100 Nepali citizens have registered their details through the online registration system launched by the Department of Consular Services to collect updated information about its citizens in West Asia.