How to Check a Manpower Agency in Nepal Before Applying for a Foreign Job (2026)

A promise of work abroad can be life-changing. It can also expose
applicants to financial loss if they trust an unlicensed intermediary,
an invented vacancy or a false employment contract. Before paying a
recruitment agent in Nepal, check the agency and the specific job
through the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE).

Quick answer: Use the government's [licensed recruitment agency
search](https://foreignjob.dofe.gov.np/Home/RecruitmentAgency) to check
the agency name, permission number and status. Then verify the
advertised job's pre-permission or lot number using the [DoFE
pre-permission
search](https://foreignjob.dofe.gov.np/Home/PrePermissionDetail). A
valid agency licence alone does not prove that a particular overseas
vacancy is approved.

What to check and where

The government's portals may require a live search and can be
temporarily unavailable. If a result is missing, do not treat a
screenshot from a recruiter as proof. Ask the department to confirm.

Step 1: Identify the exact recruitment agency

Ask the person contacting you for the full legal name of the manpower
company, its DoFE permission number, registered office address and
official telephone number. The name on the receipt, contract and
government licence should match. A social media page, WhatsApp account
or signboard is not a substitute for a licence.

Open the [agency
search](https://foreignjob.dofe.gov.np/Home/RecruitmentAgency). The
government interface provides fields for Permission No, Name and
Status. Search by the exact permission number when possible, then
compare the agency name and current status. Do not assume that a company
with a similar name is the same legal entity.

If the status is unclear, ask DoFE for confirmation before taking
further steps. A previously licensed agency may have changed status, and
public search results can change.

Step 2: Verify the specific job and pre-permission

A licensed company can advertise multiple jobs. You need to verify **the
job you are actually being offered**, not merely the company's
registration.

Ask for the lot number or pre-permission reference, destination country,
foreign employer's name, position, number of vacancies and approved
terms. Open the [pre-permission detail
search](https://foreignjob.dofe.gov.np/Home/PrePermissionDetail), enter
the lot number and compare the official result with the advertisement.

If the recruiter cannot provide a reference or the details do not match,
stop and seek official clarification. Do not accept “the approval will
come later” as a reason to pay in advance.

Step 3: Compare the contract with the advertisement

Read the employment contract carefully, ideally with someone who
understands the language. Compare the following:

Do not rely on verbal promises such as “salary will double after
arrival”. Ask for every material term in writing. Labour rules and
permitted recruitment charges differ by destination and recruitment
arrangement, so confirm the current applicable policy with DoFE.

Step 4: Check payments and receipts

Do not transfer money to an unknown individual's personal account just
because they claim to represent a manpower company. Ask for the lawful
fee basis, a formal invoice or receipt, and the licensed company's
payment instructions. Keep copies of every transaction, advertisement,
message and document.

A bank transfer receipt shows that money moved. It does not
establish that the fee was legal or that a job is genuine. If someone
asks for a large “guarantee deposit”, a payment to hide from the company
or an urgent cash payment without a receipt, seek official advice first.

Step 5: Understand the labour approval process

DoFE's foreign job portal provides
search functions relating to recruitment agencies, pre-permission and
labour approvals. The department also links to the **Foreign Employment
Information Management System (FEIMS)** for online labour approval
services.

Your exact documents depend on the country, employer and current rules.
Applicants may need a valid passport, approved contract, medical
assessment, orientation training, insurance and other required
clearances. Ask DoFE or the licensed agency for a current checklist
specific to your route; do not use an old social media checklist as a
legal standard.

Important: A visit visa or tourist entry is not a substitute for the
proper employment and labour approval route. Verify the legal permission
required to work in the destination country.

Step 6: Verify the foreign employer separately

An approved recruitment record is useful but not a guarantee of working
conditions. Search for the employer's official website, physical address
and contact channels. Check whether the job title and work location make
sense. If the recruiter allows it, confirm the employment offer through
a known official employer channel rather than a contact number supplied
only in a private message.

Watch for copied company logos, email addresses that resemble real
domains and contracts with inconsistent names or dates.

Warning signs that deserve immediate attention

1. The agency refuses to share its permission number.
2. The job has no verifiable pre-permission or lot reference when one

should exist.

1. The destination, employer or salary changes after you pay.
2. You are asked to hand over your passport without a clear lawful

reason or acknowledgement.

1. A person promises guaranteed immigration approval.
2. Payments are requested through unrelated personal accounts.
3. The agent pressures you to travel on a visa that does not permit the

promised work.

1. You are discouraged from contacting DoFE or reading the contract.

One warning sign does not prove a crime. It is a reason to stop,
document the facts and seek confirmation.

What if the official website does not show a result?

Check the spelling, permission number and search fields. Try again later
if the portal is not working. Contact DoFE directly if the record
remains unclear. **Absence of a result in one search is not proof of
fraud**, but it is also not a reason to proceed without verification.

The department's published [contact
page](https://www.feo.gov.np/contactus.aspx) lists complaint channels
and a call centre. Contact details can change, so use the official page
rather than an old poster or forwarded message.

How to choose a foreign employment agency

A trustworthy process should be transparent. Ask for written fees,
official receipts, verified job approval, clear employer information and
an understandable contract. Compare more than one legitimate route where
possible. Ask how the company handles complaints, refunds where legally
applicable, delays and cancellations.

For broader research, use [Ratings Nepal business
discovery](https://ratingsnepal.com/businesses) and [community
reviews](https://ratingsnepal.com/reviews), but remember that an online
business profile or a favourable review is not a DoFE licence.
Government verification remains essential.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether a manpower agency is licensed in Nepal?

Search the agency's legal name or permission number in the [DoFE
recruitment agency
database](https://foreignjob.dofe.gov.np/Home/RecruitmentAgency) and
confirm its current status.

Is a licensed manpower agency always safe?

No. A licence is one important legal check. You must also verify the
specific vacancy, contract, costs and employer. A licence is not a
promise of successful placement.

What is a pre-permission or lot number?

It is a reference used to look up an approved foreign employment demand
or pre-permission record. Verify it through the [official
search](https://foreignjob.dofe.gov.np/Home/PrePermissionDetail).

Can I trust a foreign job posted on Facebook or TikTok?

Treat social media as a lead, not proof. Check the agency, job approval,
contract and employer through official channels before sharing sensitive
documents or paying money.

What should I do if I have already paid a suspicious agent?

Preserve receipts, transaction details, messages and the advertisement.
Contact the [Department of Foreign
Employment](https://www.feo.gov.np/contactus.aspx) promptly for guidance
about reporting and possible remedies. Do not send additional money to
recover the first payment without independent verification.

Can I go abroad for work using a tourist visa?

Employment requires compliance with the destination's immigration and
work rules and Nepal's applicable foreign employment requirements. A
tourist visa should not be treated as permission to take a job.

Final thoughts

The safest first step is not paying a deposit. It is checking the
official records and reading the actual contract. Verify the agency,
verify the job, verify the employer and keep documentation. If
anything does not match, pause the process and seek official help.

Have genuine first-hand experience with a recruitment business? Share a
balanced account through [Ratings Nepal
reviews](https://ratingsnepal.com/reviews) to help others ask better
questions. You can also [discover
businesses](https://ratingsnepal.com/businesses) and browse
jobs. Reviews should never replace
official licence checks.

Official sources and update notes

• [DoFE foreign employment search

services](https://foreignjob.dofe.gov.np/)

• [Licensed recruitment agency

search](https://foreignjob.dofe.gov.np/Home/RecruitmentAgency)

• [Pre-permission

search](https://foreignjob.dofe.gov.np/Home/PrePermissionDetail)

• [Department of Foreign Employment contact and

complaints](https://www.feo.gov.np/contactus.aspx)

Information likely to change: Agency licence status, vacancy
approvals, labour rules, permitted charges, medical and orientation
requirements, contact details and online portal availability. This guide
is educational, not a substitute for advice from DoFE or a qualified
professional about a particular case.