Nepal (NP)

Nepal is a landlocked Himalayan nation between India and China, home to eight of the world's ten highest peaks including Mount Everest (8,849m).

Capital: Kathmandu

Region: Asia

Language: Nepali

Currency: NPR (Rs)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 18)

Emergency: 100

Jobs & Work Permits

Everything you need to find work and get authorised to work in Nepal.

Department of Labour and Occupational Safety

Foreign professionals normally need an employer or host institution to handle work-permit paperwork rather than using a public job-centre process.

Services offered:

✓Work permit administration
✓Labour inspection
✓Labour-law compliance
✓Industrial relations

Expat eligibility: Foreign workers need a valid work permit, line-agency recommendation and work visa. Tourist status is not enough to work.

Visit Department of Labour and Occupational Safety

💼 Work Permits

EU Citizens

No EU free movement applies. EU citizens need the same Nepal work permit/work visa route as other foreign nationals.

Non-EU Citizens

Work visa is issued by the Department of Immigration after line-agency recommendation, Department of Labour work permit and Ministry of Home Affairs work agreement where required.

EU Blue Card

No EU Blue Card equivalent.

Freelancer Visa

No broad digital-nomad visa. Freelancers need a compliant visa purpose, local company/client structure or business/investment route.

⏱️ Work Culture

Typical hours Often Sunday-Friday with Saturday off; many offices use 10:00-17:00, but NGOs/international schools may follow different calendars.

Annual leave Labour Act leave includes weekly rest, public holidays and paid leave entitlements; contracts vary widely.

Sick leave Paid sick leave exists under labour rules, but practical handling varies by employer and SSF registration.

Trial period Probation is common, often up to six months by contract.

Notice period Usually 30 days unless contract states otherwise.

Salary range Local salaries are low by expat standards; international NGO, diplomatic, school and tech roles vary from NPR 80,000 to 500,000+ monthly.

Pay frequency Monthly payroll in NPR.

Contract types

·Permanent
·Fixed-term
·Project-based
·Consultancy
·Volunteer/internship
·Remote overseas employment

🔍 Job Boards

MeroJob

Large Nepal job portal with NGO, corporate and tech roles.

Kumarijob

Nepal job listings and salary/career content.

JobsNepal

Long-running job board with development and private-sector roles.

Best for senior NGO, embassy, tech and remote roles.

🌍 Expat-Friendly Resources

🌍

UN Jobs / INGO pages

UN, development, humanitarian, health and education positions.

🌍

Embassy and chamber networks

Diplomatic, trade and business-network vacancies.

🌍

Tech communities

Kathmandu software outsourcing, AI and startup networks.

📝 Application Tips

CV format: Two-page CV is acceptable. Include visa/work-authorisation status, languages, Nepal experience and references.

Cover letter: Expected

Language: English is enough for many international roles; Nepali is essential for local management, government-facing, field or community work.

Interviews: Relationship and trust matter. Salary negotiation can be indirect; clarify gross/net, SSF, tax, benefits, flights, housing and insurance.

🤝 Networking Tips

→Use introductions
→Join sector WhatsApp groups
→Attend embassy/chamber events
→Meet people in person over tea
→Verify offers before relocating

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