Tool

DOFE Fee Estimator — Total cost of going abroad

Estimate the total out-of-pocket cost of foreign employment from Nepal. See every legitimate fee — service charge, DOFE, medical, insurance, visa — with DOFE-capped limits highlighted.

Destination country

Item	Min (NPR)	Max (NPR)
Agency service charge (DOFE-capped) Government-set ceiling for Gulf; varies for other destinations	10,000	10,000
Passport (if new/renewal)	5,000	12,000
Police clearance certificate	500	1,000
Medical examination GAMCA for Gulf; destination-specific for others	6,500	12,000
FEPB welfare fund contribution	1,500	2,500
DOFE labour permit fee	700	1,500
PDO (orientation) fee	700	1,500
Pre-departure documents (photos, copies, courier)	1,500	3,500
Embassy attestation (Gulf)	2,500	6,000
Air ticket (typically employer-paid) Free for most positions; one-way KTM-Dubai if self-paid	0	35,000
Biometric / fingerprint	1,500	3,500
Estimated total	NPR 30,400	NPR 88,500

Important. These are indicative ranges only. Actual costs depend on your specific role, employer arrangements, and prevailing DOFE rates. Many Gulf placements through Glocal Workforce Nepal operate on a free-visa, free-ticket basis where the employer covers air ticket, visa and accommodation — substantially reducing your out-of-pocket cost. Always insist on written receipts for every payment.

Know the Limits

What are legitimate fees — and what is overcharging?

DOFE sets maximum limits on agency service charges. Every other fee has a transparent, verifiable cost. Use this table as your reference when reviewing any payment request.

Fee Item	Legal Limit / Range	What to Watch For
Agency service charge (Gulf)	Max NPR 10,000	Any charge above this limit is illegal. Demand a receipt.
Agency service charge (Europe)	Max NPR 15,000–20,000	Higher ceiling reflects visa costs; still capped by DOFE regulation.
Medical examination	NPR 6,500–12,000	Use only GAMCA-approved centres for Gulf. Avoid non-accredited clinics.
FEPB welfare fund	NPR 1,500–2,500	This is your insurance — do not let anyone skip it to 'save money'.
DOFE labour permit	NPR 700–1,500	Paid at DOFE directly. Receipt issued by government.
Visa fee (Europe)	NPR 12,000–24,000	Schengen visa applications are submitted at the embassy; receipts are official.
Air ticket	NPR 0 (employer-paid for most Gulf) / NPR 18,000–95,000 (self-paid)	Confirm in your contract whether the employer provides the first ticket.

Source: Department of Foreign Employment (DOFE) Nepal regulations. Verify current limits at dofe.gov.np.

Protecting Yourself

Six rules for paying overseas recruitment fees safely

1
Always get a receipt
Every payment — no matter how small — must come with an official, stamped receipt. No receipt means no proof. Keep every receipt until you are safely employed and past your probation period.
2
Check the agency's DOFE licence
All recruitment agencies must display their DOFE licence number. You can verify the licence at dofe.gov.np. Glocal Workforce Nepal's licence is No. 467/054/055. Never use an unlicensed agency.
3
Never pay before you have a demand letter
A legitimate placement starts with an employer's demand letter attested by the respective embassy. If an agency asks for money before providing an attested demand letter, it is a red flag.
4
Confirm 'free visa, free ticket' in writing
If an agency promises free visa and ticket, make sure this is stated clearly in your service agreement — not just verbally. Keep a copy of the agreement.
5
Do not pay in cash without a bank slip
Pay through bank transfer where possible, and keep the transfer slip. Cash payments are harder to dispute. Ethical agencies have official bank accounts.
6
Report overcharging immediately
If you are asked to pay more than the DOFE ceiling, report it before you leave Nepal. Complain to DOFE at Tahachal, Kathmandu, or call the DOFE helpline. You have more power before departure than after.

Glocal Workforce Nepal

Our commitment to transparent fees

Glocal Workforce Nepal is a DOFE-licensed agency (Lic. No. 467/054/055) operating since 2000. We abide by the ILO Fair Recruitment Principles and IRIS (International Recruitment Integrity System) standards. Our fee structure is fully transparent:

Agency service charge never exceeds the DOFE-set ceiling for your destination
Most Gulf placements are free-visa, free-ticket — employer covers these costs
Itemised receipts provided for every charge
FEPB welfare-fund enrolment handled automatically for every worker
Full DOFE documentation processed in-house — no sub-agents, no hidden markups

Ask us about fees

FAQ

Common questions about DOFE fees

What is the DOFE service charge ceiling for the Gulf?

The Department of Foreign Employment (DOFE) sets a maximum agency service charge of NPR 10,000 for Gulf destinations. Any agency charging more than this is acting illegally. For European destinations, the ceiling is higher — typically NPR 15,000–20,000 — reflecting higher processing and visa costs.

What does 'free visa, free ticket' mean?

A 'free visa, free ticket' arrangement means the employer covers the cost of your visa and air ticket. Most Gulf placements through reputable agencies operate this way. If a recruiter asks you to pay separately for a visa and ticket on top of the normal service charge, demand a written explanation and compare with DOFE limits.

What are legitimate fees I should expect to pay?

Legitimate fees include: agency service charge (up to the DOFE ceiling), passport renewal (if needed), medical examination, police clearance, FEPB welfare fund contribution, DOFE labour permit fee, pre-departure orientation (PDO), and document copies and courier. Some destinations add embassy attestation or language test fees.

What should I do if an agency overcharges me?

Document everything — get receipts for every payment. If you are charged above DOFE limits, file a complaint at the Department of Foreign Employment (DOFE), Tahachal, Kathmandu. You can also contact the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) or call the DOFE helpline. Licensed agencies can be suspended or de-licensed for overcharging.