DOFE Registration
The Department of Foreign Employment (DOFE) registration is the foundational step where Nepali workers register with the government to obtain legal documentation for overseas employment. This includes submitting identity proofs, passport copies, and employment agreements.
Workers must pay a registration fee and receive a DOFA certificate, which verifies their eligibility to work abroad. This document is crucial for subsequent stages like visa processing and employer verification.
Vacancy Confirmation
This stage involves verifying job openings through licensed foreign employment agencies registered with DOFA. Workers review job details including salary, contract duration, and workplace conditions before applying.
Agencies match worker skills with available positions and provide necessary application materials. Employers conduct initial screenings, often prioritizing candidates with specific qualifications or experience.
Candidate Selection
Employers evaluate applicants based on interviews, skill assessments, and background checks. Successful candidates sign formal contracts outlining terms like wages, working hours, and repatriation rights.
Selected workers receive a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) from DOFA, allowing them to proceed to medical examinations and visa processing. Agencies assist with contract translations and legal reviews.
Medical Examination
Mandatory health checks are conducted at DOFA-approved medical centers to ensure workers meet international health standards. Tests include physical exams, bloodwork, and screenings for infectious diseases.
Results are submitted to both the employer and immigration authorities. Candidates failing the exam may be disqualified, though some agencies offer re-tests or alternative positions requiring less stringent health criteria.
Visa Processing
Visa applications are prepared using employer-provided documents, including job offers and labor permits. Workers submit these along with police clearance certificates and financial statements to the destination country's embassy.
Processing times vary by country but typically take 2-6 weeks. Agencies monitor applications and address issues like missing documents or administrative delays to ensure timely approvals.
Visa Stamping
After embassy approval, passports are stamped with the final visa. This stage requires coordination between agencies, embassies, and sometimes direct communication with foreign immigration departments.
Stamped passports are returned to workers, who then complete exit formalities with DOFA. Some countries require additional stamps upon arrival, which employers arrange during orientation sessions.
Final Documentation
This phase involves finalizing insurance policies, travel bookings, and pre-departure training. Workers receive detailed itineraries, emergency contact numbers, and cultural orientation materials.
Agencies ensure all legal paperwork is in order, including flight tickets, vaccination records, and copies of employment contracts. Final payments are made at this stage, with transparency required per Nepali labor laws.
Overseas Deployment
Workers depart Nepal for their destination country, often accompanied by agency representatives to assist with airport procedures. Upon arrival, they undergo company-specific orientations.
Employers handle local registration, housing arrangements, and wage deposits. DOFA monitors worker welfare through regular reports from agencies, ensuring compliance with agreed-upon employment terms.