ABU DHABI // The UAE opened its first mission in Kathmandu on Tuesday and Nepalis said they hoped it would end exploitation by recruitment agencies of those looking for work in the UAE.
The embassy was opened by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
For many years workers have had to pay large amounts of money to get even a visit visa, but the embassy will now provide consular and visa services.
Nepalese expatriates thought the opening was good news.
“A UAE mission in our country is a great help for us as always we have to pay a huge amount of money to agencies for visas and other consular services,” said Dipak Thakuri, an Abu Dhabi taxi driver.
“For tourist visas, they charge 100,000 Nepalese rupees [Dh3,445] or more. Now this is going to end. I paid 250,000 Nepalese rupees to the agent for my work visa, and now it comes for free.
“I knew that he charged me a huge amount but we can’t do anything. Most people realise that when they reach the UAE, how they were exploited.”
Agents would charge up to Dh5,000 for a month’s tourist visa, which sometimes included an air ticket. But that same visa can be obtained in Abu Dhabi for about Dh350. The new embassy will ensure prices are transparent.
“Now the process will be hassle-free and we will get rid of unscrupulous agencies to exploit poor Nepalese,” said Sudip Karki, head of the Non-Resident Nepalese Association, while thanking the Government for opening the mission.
“This surely will open up new avenues in all sectors and speed up trade, commerce and cultural relations between the both countries.”
Nepalese lorry driver Damar Jang said that many of his countrymen expected to be earning large salaries when they arrived in the UAE, so they put themselves into debt for expensive visas only to find that living costs in the Emirates were high and wages not what they thought.
“If we need to get our documents attested, agents charge huge money,” Mr Jang said. “But now we can directly go to the mission and submit our documents for this. “It’s great news for the Nepalese.”
More than 300,000 Nepalis live in the UAE, and each year about 25,000 come arrive here looking for work.
anwar@thenational.ae