How to Immigrate to Saudi Arabia from Nepal in 2026
Guide for Nepalis working in Saudi Arabia in 2026. Work visas, Iqama, salary data, Vision 2030 opportunities, and DoFE requirements.
Last verified: March 2026. Visa focus: Employment Visa, Iqama, Construction, Domestic.
1. Overview
Saudi Arabia hosts approximately 350,000 Nepali nationals, primarily in construction, domestic work, hospitality, and security services. The Nepal-Saudi corridor is one of the most established Gulf migration routes, with Nepali workers valued for reliability and hard work. Vision 2030 has expanded opportunities beyond traditional sectors into entertainment, tourism, and mega-infrastructure projects (NEOM, Red Sea, Riyadh Metro). Saudi labour reforms have improved worker mobility and introduced minimum standards. Nepal temporarily banned female domestic worker deployment to Saudi Arabia due to protection concerns — the policy has been periodically adjusted based on bilateral negotiations. The DoFE regulates all outbound migration with licensing requirements for recruitment agencies.
Diaspora estimate: approximately 350,000 Nepal nationals in Saudi Arabia.
2. Key Visa Pathways
| Visa Pathway | Timeline | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Visa (Iqama) | 4-8 weeks | Employer-sponsored. DoFE labour permit required before departure. Employer pays visa costs. |
| Domestic Worker Visa | 4-8 weeks (when permitted) | Subject to Nepal government deployment policies. Bilateral agreement governs minimum terms. |
| Visit Visa with Work Conversion | 2-4 weeks entry, conversion varies | Some workers enter on visit visa and convert — technically irregular but occurs in practice. |
3. Detailed Breakdown
3.1 Employment Visa (Iqama)
Timeline: 4-8 weeks
Employer-sponsored. DoFE labour permit required before departure. Employer pays visa costs.
3.2 Domestic Worker Visa
Timeline: 4-8 weeks (when permitted)
Subject to Nepal government deployment policies. Bilateral agreement governs minimum terms.
3.3 Visit Visa with Work Conversion
Timeline: 2-4 weeks entry, conversion varies
Some workers enter on visit visa and convert — technically irregular but occurs in practice.