UAE Visa Rule Sparks Outcry Among Nepali Workers Over Costly Police Report Verification
Summary
Nepali workers heading to the UAE face a costly police report verification fee imposed by VFS, causing widespread discontent and calls for government intervention to ease the financial burden.
Key Points
- The UAE introduced a mandatory police report verification system via VFS for Nepali workers applying for visas, requiring an additional fee of approximately Rs 14,500.
- Despite diplomatic efforts, the Nepali government has not resolved the issue, resulting in billions of rupees lost to private agencies annually.
- Stakeholders and foreign employment agencies criticize the government's inaction and highlight the financial strain on workers already burdened with loans.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is exploring options to reduce costs, including alternative verification processes and direct stamping by the UAE Embassy in Kathmandu.
- Nepal Police now issues police reports with QR codes online, and entrepreneurs suggest persuading the UAE to accept these as official to simplify the process.
