RIYADH, 28 April 2003 — The Nepalese government will issue new passports for its nationals in the Kingdom and other Gulf states from May 1. The passports are valid for 10 years and the fee is SR310, more than double the charge for the existing passports.
Ramesh P. Khanal, charge d’affaires at the Nepal Embassy, told Arab News that the decision to issue new passports was taken in view of the growing number of Nepalese coming to the Kingdom for education and employment opportunities.
The strength of their population in Saudi Arabia has been estimated at around 100,000, and the sharp increase in their number threatens to undercut the employment market for countries from Southeast Asia and South Asia.
The Nepal Embassy in Riyadh also has jurisdiction over its consular affairs in Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait and Oman.
