April 28, 2026
THIMPHU – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade and the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Kuwait have been working to secure the return of Bhutanese nationals from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The push comes as businesses in the region shed staff in response to economic pressures and growing uncertainty following recent escalations in the Middle East.
Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel described the situation in the Gulf as “fluid.”
“The return process is already under way at scale, with dozens already repatriated and many more in the process,” he said. “We are prioritising cases involving distress, prolonged uncertainty, financial hardship, and difficulties in completing exit formalities.”
Among the most urgent cases are 39 Bhutanese nationals in Kuwait who have been left without work or income for more than two months after being dismissed during their probationary periods.
Many of those affected were employed by Gastronomica, a food services company that downsized its workforce citing regional conflict and an economic downturn.
According to the embassy, 97 Bhutanese nationals have already returned from Kuwait – 57 who had been on vacation and 40 permanent returnees, all of whom received visa assistance.
A further 10 have secured flights and are expected home in the coming days, while 37 more are in the process of leaving, including 18 former Gastronomica employees.
Across the region, 33 Bhutanese have returned from the UAE, 24 from Qatar (with five more waiting to depart), four from Bahrain, and one from Oman.
Yet the flow is not entirely one-way: about 47 individuals have travelled to GCC countries during the same period, highlighting the continued pull of Gulf labour markets despite the risks.
The embassy has intervened directly in cases where workers complained that employers were withholding passports.
“Such matters were taken up with the employers concerned and, where necessary, with the relevant employment agents and local authorities,” Lyonpo said.
According to the embassy, immediate efforts have focused on visa processing, engaging with employers and agents, completing severance and exit procedures, and facilitating return travel as early as possible.
A number of these cases have been resolved through direct embassy intervention, while others remain under active follow-up, depending on the legal and administrative procedures involved.
“Since they couldn’t complete visa procedures on their own or through the company, the embassy has been assisting them directly, including facilitating transit visa processing at the Saudi VFS Centre,” Lyonpo said.
Some have already received their visas, while the remaining cases are expected to be completed shortly.
Of the 39 stranded workers, 18 have completed separation formalities and received their entitled benefits. The company has agreed to cover visa fees and airfare. The remaining 21 are still finalising severance procedures but will receive similar assistance.
Regarding financial arrangements, the foreign ministry maintains that employers are expected to bear return-related costs where contractually or legally required, including upon termination or completion of service. The embassy and relevant agencies are continuing to follow up with employers and agents to ensure these obligations are fulfilled.
The government has confirmed that a fully operational evacuation plan is in place should the security situation deteriorate rapidly.
The embassy has established mechanisms to monitor and coordinate protection services across all GCC countries under its coverage. It has designated focal officers for each country and works through Bhutanese coordinators and community contacts on the ground to relay information, identify urgent cases, and facilitate communication.
Foreign ministry and the embassy coordinate with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) to engage with registered overseas employment agents, employers, and relevant local authorities on issues relating to documentation, repatriation, employment disputes, and welfare.
These arrangements, the ministry said, are intended to ensure timely support, including direct embassy follow-up in urgent or vulnerable cases.
But the crisis has also raised uncomfortable questions about recruitment practices back home.
MoICE is investigating the role of EmployBhutan Overseas Employment Agent, a registered agency that helped place workers in the Gulf.
Lyonpo said that the agent has confirmed that all eligible dues, including visa-related costs and return air tickets, will be borne by the company.
The agent has also told affected candidates that it will cover all eligible dues and offered them priority consideration for future jobs in the region without additional fees.