Shram Swikriti Nepal 2026 โ Labor Permit Cost, FEIMS Process, Documents & Country-by-Country Guide
Nepal sent 839,266 workers abroad in FY 2081/82. Are you next? This complete Shram Swikriti guide covers exact costs (Rs 1,500 welfare fund + Rs 2,595 SSF contribution), the complete FEIMS online process, all required documents, top destination countries, and how to avoid illegal recruitment traps.
โ๏ธ What is Shram Swikriti?
Shram Swikriti (เคถเฅเคฐเคฎ เคธเฅเคตเฅเคเฅเคคเคฟ) is the official Labor Approval/Work Permit issued by Nepal’s Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) under the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS). It is legally required for all Nepali citizens who travel abroad for employment โ except to India, which has an open border arrangement.
Without Shram Swikriti, working abroad is illegal, unprotected by government welfare schemes, and ineligible for insurance coverage under Nepal’s foreign employment framework. Since FY 2081/82, DoFE has also implemented a zero tolerance policy against intermediaries โ workers are encouraged to go directly through licensed manpower agencies and the FEIMS portal.
๐ Nepal Foreign Employment Statistics 2026
Top 10 Destination Countries for Nepali Workers (FY 2081/82)
๐ฐ Shram Swikriti Cost 2026 โ All Fees
| Fee Component | Amount | Mandatory? | Paid To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Employment Welfare Fund | Rs. 1,500 | โ Yes | DoFE via FEIMS portal |
| Social Security Fund (SSF) Contribution | Rs. 2,595 | โ Yes (from 2026) | SSF Nepal |
| Orientation Training Fee | Rs. 500โ1,000 | โ Yes (first-timers) | Authorized training center |
| Medical Examination | Rs. 1,500โ3,000 | โ Yes | Govt.-authorized medical center |
| Foreign Employment Insurance | Rs. 1,500+ | โ Yes | Authorized insurance company via FEIMS |
| Manpower/Recruitment Agency Fee | Government capped by country/job | Depends | Licensed manpower agency |
| Passport (if needed) | Rs. 5,000โ20,000 | If not already have one | Dept. of Passports |
| Police Clearance Certificate + Attestation | Rs. 500 | For some countries | Nepal Police + MOFA |
๐ฅ๏ธ FEIMS Process โ Step-by-Step Shram Swikriti 2026
The Foreign Employment Information Management System (FEIMS) at feims.dofe.gov.np is the central digital platform linking DoFE, manpower agencies, insurance companies, banks, and medical centers. All Shram Swikriti applications go through FEIMS.
- Find a Licensed Manpower Agency
Only work with DoFE-licensed manpower agencies. As of FY 2081/82, 1,687 organizations are licensed for foreign employment. Verify license at feims.dofe.gov.np. Never pay to unlicensed agents โ illegal recruitment is heavily penalized.
- Agency Submits Job Demand through FEIMS
The licensed manpower agency receives the job demand letter from the foreign employer and submits it to DoFE through FEIMS for verification and approval. This is done on the agency side.
- Medical Examination
Get a medical check-up at a GoN-authorized medical center. Results are uploaded directly into FEIMS. Cost: Rs. 1,500โ3,000 depending on center and destination country requirements.
- Orientation Training (Mandatory for First-Time Migrants)
Attend the Pre-Departure Orientation Training at an authorized center. Fee: Rs. 500โ1,000. Certificate is uploaded to FEIMS. Those changing country or job type also need re-orientation.
- Insurance Enrollment via FEIMS
Mandatory foreign employment insurance is purchased through an authorized insurance company integrated in FEIMS. Coverage includes accident, disability, and death during employment abroad. Cost: Rs. 1,500+ depending on coverage.
- Pay Welfare Fund (Rs. 1,500) and SSF (Rs. 2,595)
Pay the Foreign Employment Welfare Fund contribution of Rs. 1,500 and the SSF contribution of Rs. 2,595 through the FEIMS payment system. These are mandatory prerequisites for labor permit issuance.
- Nepali Mission Abroad Verification
The job offer and employment contract must be authenticated by the Nepali Embassy or Consulate in the destination country. This verification happens through the FEIMS system โ the agency coordinates this step.
- Shram Swikriti Issued
Once all steps are complete and verified, DoFE issues the Shram Swikriti certificate through FEIMS. With complete documents, “Work Permit on Same Day” is now fully implemented. You can then obtain your work/employment visa from the destination country’s embassy in Nepal.
๐ Documents Required for Shram Swikriti 2026
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid Nepali Passport | Minimum 6 months validity beyond contract end date |
| Citizenship Certificate | Original + photocopy both sides |
| Passport-size photos | Recent, white background, 4+ copies |
| Employment contract (verified) | Authenticated by Nepali mission in destination country |
| Job demand letter from employer | Verified through FEIMS by licensed manpower agency |
| Medical examination certificate | From GoN-authorized medical center โ uploaded to FEIMS |
| Orientation training certificate | From authorized pre-departure training center |
| Insurance policy certificate | Mandatory โ purchased via FEIMS-integrated insurer |
| Educational certificates | For skilled positions (engineer, nurse, teacher, etc.) |
| Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) | Required for many countries โ attested by MOFA |
| Technical skill certificate (if applicable) | For construction, driving, healthcare, hospitality roles |
๐ Country-by-Country Shram Swikriti Guide 2026
๐ฆ๐ช UAE โ Most Popular Destination
UAE is Nepal’s #1 foreign employment destination. Workers go primarily for construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and domestic work. Employment visa is required before departure. Minimum wage (confirmed by employer): meet Nepal’s Rs. 19,550/month equivalent. FEIMS process applies fully. UAE requires medical fitness certificate from GAMCA-approved center.
๐ฐ๐ท South Korea โ EPS-TOPIK System
South Korea uses the Employment Permit System (EPS) for Nepali workers. You must pass the EPS-TOPIK Korean language test (conducted in Nepal) and register in the HRD Korea system. Fee for EPS-TOPIK: ~Rs. 5,500. Selection is lottery-based from passed applicants. Jobs primarily in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and services. No manpower agency required for EPS โ it’s a government-to-government scheme.
๐ฏ๐ต Japan โ Technical Intern Training / SSW
Japan requires Japanese language proficiency (JLPT N4/N3 minimum for most programs). The Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) and Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa are the main routes. In addition to FEIMS/Shram Swikriti, Japan requires additional tests under the Japanese Skill Evaluation Test (JSET) for SSW. Placement through authorized organizations (Sending Organizations) only.
๐ธ๐ฆ Saudi Arabia, ๐ถ๐ฆ Qatar, ๐ฐ๐ผ Kuwait
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are major employers of Nepali workers. All require employment visa, medical fitness from GAMCA-approved center, and FEIMS-based Shram Swikriti. Saudi Arabia requires attestation of educational/professional certificates. Qatar mandated workers’ rights reforms under World Cup preparations โ verify current employer legitimacy through DoFE.
๐ท๐ด Romania / ๐ญ๐ท Croatia โ Europe Entry Points
Romania and Croatia have emerged as top European destinations for Nepali workers (#6 and #9 respectively). Jobs mainly in construction and manufacturing. EU work permits through licensed agencies. Be particularly careful about illegal recruitment to European countries โ many scams exist. Verify agency license at DoFE before paying any fee.
๐จ Warnings โ Protect Yourself from Illegal Recruitment
โ ๏ธ Red Flags โ Illegal Recruitment Traps to Avoid
- Unlicensed agents asking for large upfront fees โ DoFE-licensed agencies have government-capped fees by country and job type. Overpayment is illegal.
- Jobs not on FEIMS portal โ Verify that the job demand is registered in FEIMS before proceeding. Unregistered jobs have no government protection.
- Promised jobs in countries Nepal has banned employment to โ DoFE periodically bans employment to certain countries. Always check the current banned country list at dofe.gov.np.
- Tourist visa for work โ Working in any foreign country on a tourist visa is illegal and subjects you to deportation and blacklisting. Always get the correct work visa.
- Passport surrendered by employer โ It is illegal for any employer abroad to hold your passport. If an employer demands this, contact the Nepali Embassy immediately.
- No employment contract in Nepali or English โ Your contract must be in a language you understand, authenticated by the Nepali mission in the destination country before you leave Nepal.