Foreign Minister, Balananda Sharma has said that the government is serious on the growing situation of the Middle East. The crisis in the Middle East and the resulting impact on air services have directly affected the movement of Nepal citizens. Thus, the Ministry has already operationalized an ‘Emergency Control Room’ to immediately address citizen issues in case of potential emergencies.
Through this control room, the ministry will act as a bridge for information exchange and coordination between Nepali citizens abroad and their families back home. Minister appealed to Nepali citizens in the West Asia region to immediately contact the Nepali Embassy there and inform them of their status if they face any problems or difficulties.
Meanwhile, the Nepali Embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched an online portal to collect information on Nepali nationals facing difficulties in the country.
Issuing a statement on Tuesday, the embassy requested Nepalis stranded at UAE airports while attempting to return home from various countries to update their details through the portal. It has also urged those wishing to return to Nepal after their UAE visas expired or were cancelled by their employers to register their information.
According to the embassy, the portal is intended to assist individuals who have already booked return tickets but are facing complications due to visa issues or other administrative problems.
The embassy further stated that it has received information indicating that fine swill not be imposed on individuals who overstayed after February 28, and concerned persons have been advised to proceed accordingly.
Nepalis seeking assistance have been asked to submit their details through the portal at: https://legal.nepalconsular.gov.np/urgent-rescue.
In another updated information, Nepali missions will facilitate Saudi visas for nationals in Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE amid escalating regional tensions.
Saudi Arabia shares land borders with Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE making overland travel possible for those seeking to reach the country.
Nepal nationals facing emergencies in the Gulf region can be assisted to return to Nepal via Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said.
Nepalis willing to return home need to submit a photocopy of their passport, a copy of their visa and details of their travel plans to the Nepali embassies in the respective countries.
Although international flights in much of the Gulf region have not fully normalized, limited services continue to operate from some locations. MoFA said air services to Saudi Arabia and Oman are currently operating, allowing Nepali nationals to travel by air from those countries as well.
As of Monday evening, 57,100 Nepali citizens had registered their details in the online registration system launched by the Department of Consular Services to collect updated information on Nepalis in West Asia.
The ministry said it would study the information received and take further steps as necessary.
Likewise, the Nepali Embassy in Doha has advised Nepali nationals residing in Qatar to obtain a tourist visa if they plan to travel to Nepal via airports in Saudi Arabia in light of the current situation in the Middle East.
The embassy urged Nepali citizens holding a valid residence permit in Qatar and intending to transit through Saudi airports while returning to Nepal to apply for a Saudi tourist visa in advance.
According to the embassy, applicants must book an appointment and submit their tourist visa application through the Tasheer Saudi Visa Service Centre, located at Ezdan Mall in Al Gharafa, Doha.
The embassy further stated that Nepali travellers should complete the required visa procedures before undertaking their journey to avoid inconvenience during transit.
Meanwhile, UAE Attorney-General Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has warned against photographing, publishing, or circulating images and videos documenting incident sites or damage resulting from the fall of projectiles or shrapnel.
He stressed that disseminating such materials or inaccurate information can incite public panic and create a false impression of the country’s actual situation.
In this regard, according to a news report, Abu Dhabi police arrested 45 for filming incidents and spreading false information.
The Criminal Investigation and Investigation Directorate at Abu Dhabi Police has apprehended 45 individuals of various nationalities for filming locations during ongoing incidents and publishing the footage online, alongside circulating inaccurate and misleading information.
Police said such posts could provoke public concern and spread rumours within the community. Abu Dhabi Police confirmed that necessary legal and administrative measures have been taken against those involved.
The police urged residents to obtain information only from approved official sources and avoid photographing or sharing images of incident locations to safeguard operations and public safety.
Such acts are punishable under UAE law with imprisonment of at least one year and a fine of no less than 100,000 dirhams (around Rs 4 million), the report quoted officials at the UAE Attorney General’s Office.
