ABU DHABI // The Nepalese community has welcomed the opening of the UAE Embassy in Kathmandu, as it will help to solve visa problems and combat unscrupulous recruitment agencies.
The Nepalese government approved the opening of the mission and residence for the UAE Ambassador in Kathmandu and it is hoped operations will begin next month, with an official opening to come in May, Dhananjay Jha, Nepalese ambassador to the UAE, said.
“In emergencies, many times government officials can’t travel to the UAE. For visit visas, even for officials and diplomats, we have to travel to New Delhi with letters from the Nepalese ministry of foreign affairs to apply,” the ambassador said.
The UAE Embassy will make the visa process for Nepalese residents hassle-free, Mr Jha said.
Hundreds of thousands of Nepalese who travelled to the UAE to work complained they were hit hard by service charges and consular services routed through the New Delhi mission of the UAE.
Dipak Thakuri was excited to hear about embassy opening.
“For a month’s visit visa, Nepalese agencies charge up to Dh5,000 including the air fare.”
In Abu Dhabi, it costs Dh330 if tickets are purchased from the agency.
“So it’s big help for us. Once the embassy is there we can know the rules, professions and check anything if we are confused or suspected something before accepting [a job] offer,” he said.
“My brother is coming to the UAE. The UAE company issued a free employment visa and air fare but the agency back home is asking for 100,000 Nepalese rupees (Dh3,437) to handover the visa,” Mr Thakuri said.
“Of course, the opening of the mission will minimise the problem,” said Sudip Karki, head of the Non-Resident Nepalese Association.
“It will big relief for visa and consular services, as currently Nepalese pay a lot of money to manpower agencies.”
“Agencies take 80,000 Nepalese rupees (Dh2,750) to 100,000 (Dh3,437) for the tourist visa with air fare but sometimes that’s for visa only, and it’s too much,” Mr Karki said.
Those who do not have blood relatives in the Emirates have to come here through agencies, he said.
“In case of fraudulent activities and cheating for employment visas, we can report to the mission to look into the matter,” Mr Karki said.
“I am thankful to the UAE Government for opening the mission,” said Nepali Madan Bahadur. “You can’t believe me, it’s big relief for us. These agents have become very rich exploiting poor workers and built lavish houses.”
Many Nepalese were forced to take different jobs once they reached the UAE, he said.
The mission will help to end middle men exploiting workers and charging exorbitant fees for their services. People will be able to approach the mission directly, he said. “We can’t spend travelling expenses to New Delhi from Kathmadu. Instead, we prefer to process through agencies,” said Mr Bahadur, who lives in Abu Dhabi.
The UAE is the third-largest trade partner for Nepal and the opening of the mission is expected to further strengthen the political, trade and tourism relations between both countries, the ambassador said.
anwar@thenational.ae
