By Sam Allcock

Copyright nepalmonitor

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced tougher restrictions on the issuance of visit visas to Nepali nationals following unrest connected to the Gen-Z protest movement.

While the Nepali Embassy in the UAE has not officially confirmed the decision, embassy representatives have acknowledged that the measures are in place. An official said informally, “We have received reports that many Nepalis are being denied visas, but the embassy has not yet received an official explanation. We are looking into the matter.”

For some time, the UAE had already suspended visit visa applications through Dubai, with approvals via Sharjah also limited. The latest surge in violence linked to the Gen-Z youth movement is believed to have led to even stricter visa rules.

Travel agencies in Nepal report that rejection rates for visit visa applications have risen sharply in recent weeks.

Nepal remains one of the countries with the highest number of citizens travelling to the UAE on visit visas, many of whom later relocate to other Gulf states as domestic workers. According to reports, trafficking networks are particularly active in sending Nepali women to destinations such as Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain via the UAE under the guise of visit visas.