Embassy warns against illegal overseas work through tourist visas
KATHMANDU, MARCH 25
Fifty-one Nepali nationals stranded in Cambodia have been safely repatriated to Nepal through the initiative of the Nepali Embassy in Bangkok, with assistance from the Cambodian government and facilitation by the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), Cambodia.
The individuals had traveled to Cambodia under various pretenses and were reportedly forced to work in illegal online scam operations, unlicensed casinos, and other unauthorized work. Several were residing in Cambodia without valid visas.
The rescued individuals departed Cambodia on March 24 and landed in Nepal at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday. The embassy stated that additional efforts are underway to rescue other Nepalis stranded abroad in similar circumstances.
The Embassy of Nepal in Bangkok has urged all Nepali citizens in Cambodia who are staying without proper documentation, or those wishing to return home, to contact either the embassy or representatives of NRNA Cambodia.
The embassy noted that many Nepalis have reported confiscation of passports by companies operating online scam centers or losing documents while transferring funds, making repatriation challenging. In such cases, the embassy provides one-way travel permits free of charge to facilitate their return. Full details are available at Nepal Embassy Bangkok.
According to Cambodia's tourism statistics, the number of Nepali visitors has surged in recent years: 101 in 2021, 1,977 in 2022, 2,940 in 2023, 6,404 in 2024, and 9,676 in 2025. The embassy has reiterated that Nepalis should avoid traveling abroad under promises of quick and high earnings through informal channels and should only go overseas for employment with proper government authorization.
