Nepali nationals facing emergencies in the Gulf region can be assisted to return to Nepal via Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said.

The arrangement comes as tensions in West Asia continue to escalate following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran and retaliatory strikes targeting locations in Gulf countries.

Nepali missions will facilitate Saudi visas for Nepali nationals in Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates who wish to travel to Saudi Arabia before returning home, an MoFA official told the Post.

The ministry has requested Nepalis willing to return home 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.

Saudi Arabia shares land borders with Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE, making overland travel possible for those seeking to reach the country.

Although international flights in much of the Gulf region have not fully normalised, limited services continue to operate from some locations. In the UAE, a small number of flights by Flydubai and Air Arabia are operating. Flights from Dubai Airport have resumed after a temporary disruption, though securing tickets remains difficult due to limited availability.

MoFA said air services to Saudi Arabia and Oman are currently operating, allowing Nepali nationals to travel by air from those countries as well.

“Limited flights are operating from certain locations in the West Asia region. Discussions are also underway regarding the operation of flights to Nepal. Nepali citizens wishing to return may travel by air from places where flights are currently operating,” the ministry said.

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.