Based on the existing literature on recruitment of Nepali migrant workers, the following tips for migrant workers can be formulated.

  1. It is not allowed for individuals below the age of 18 to migrate for labour.
  2. Migrants should not rely on recruitment agencies that are not licensed/registered with DoFE.
  3. Migrants should not pay more to recruitment agencies than the maximum recruitment fee. As per the “Free-visa, free-ticket” policy introduced by the Government of Nepal and BLA and MoU with different countries of destination, the maximum amount in services fees and costs paid by Nepali migrant workers going to the six GCC countries is NPR 10,000. For Malaysia, the employer will have to cover all costs involved in the recruitment process including flight ticket and visa fees.  
  4. Migrants must attend the mandatory two-day pre-departure orientation: The training includes valuable information regarding migrants’ rights and guidance on which organizations to contact in case of difficulties encountered during the migration and recruitment process in Nepal or abroad (costs: NPR 700). Female migrants are reimbursed the fees paid (NPR 700) to take the mandatory two-day pre-departure orientation upon submission on proof of attendance.
  5. Women intending to migrate for domestic work must attend a 30-working-days  training. The Government of Nepal had endorsed a directive which put in place an age ban (below the age of 24) from migrating.
  6. Migrants should not participate in government mandated two-day pre-departure orientation training that is provided by organizations that are not licensed by the government.
  7. Migrants must purchase a term-life and disability insurance.
  8. Migrant workers are required to pay NPR 1500-2500 as a contribution towards the Foreign Employment Welfare Fund. The Fund is mobilized to provide compensation to migrants and their families in case of death or disability during employment.
  9. The Foreign Employment Act 2007 stipulates that all Nepali migrants should use the international airport to migrate/fly out of the country. If another international airport is to be used, permission needs to be obtained from the Department of Foreign Employment (only given for specific circumstances).
  10. It is mandatory for migrant workers to get the labour permit issued by the Department of Foreign Employment. Obtaining a labour permit through the Government of Nepal makes you a registered migrant worker in the purview of the government. As a registered migrant worker, you will have access to the support services provided by the government to migrant workers. You will not get compensation from the Government of Nepal in case of death or disability as an unregistered/irregular migrant worker. You can check the validity/originality of your labour permit using the following channels:

       - Online service – Go to website http://www.dofe.gov.np/new/ and on the right side of the screen find a  box to type the passport number and click the search button.