App launched to collect information from Nepalis working abroad

Kathmandu, June 26

The government has launched ‘Shram Sansar App’ in order to collect information and details of Nepalis residing in labour destination countries.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba and Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Sharat Singh Bhandari jointly inaugurated the app at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Thursday.

Through this app, Nepalis residing abroad can register their personal information, which will help Nepali missions abroad, as well as the MoFA and the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS) to access accurate information regarding the number, location, and condition of Nepalis in respective countries.

Once this data is obtained, it will be easier to provide necessary consular services in those countries and to promptly rescue individuals in times of crisis, the MoFA informed in a statement.

According to Minister Dr. Rana, many complaints have been received from Nepalis engaged in foreign employment who have faced fraud, hardship, and various problems due to a lack of information. She expressed confidence that the app would ease the process of providing consular support based on the collected data.

She also informed that a decision has been made to grant ‘regularised labour approval’ through Nepali embassies in destination countries to those working abroad without official labour permits. This will facilitate the process for such individuals.

“This arrangement is especially for those who have travelled to foreign countries without labour approval and are currently employed there. The provision aims to ensure their protection and safety through embassies. However, this should not be interpreted as an encouragement for illegal migration,” said FM Dr. Rana.

Likewise, she mentioned that the MoFA had earlier formed a task force to address the problems faced by the Nepali diaspora. With increasing issues being reported, particularly from labour destination countries, the app has been introduced to better understand the situation and concerns of Nepalis abroad.

Similarly, Labour Minister Bhandari said that the app and the provision for regularised labour approval would offer substantial relief in the foreign employment sector.

According to him, the app will not only help identify where and how many Nepalis are currently residing but also provide vital support to those who are undocumented, those who travelled without obtaining labour approval, and those who have been deprived of basic services due to various issues.

The app will be jointly operated by the MoFA and MoLESS, and will be updated through the respective Nepali embassies in each country.

However, it will be the responsibility of Nepalis in those countries to fill in their personal details on the app. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 27 June 2025.