Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from the United Arab Emirates to Nepal
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What happens after a death in the United Arab Emirates
Call 999 for police and ambulance, or 998 for ambulance in some emirates. Death is certified by a hospital physician. The death is registered with the relevant emirate health authority (Dubai Health Authority in Dubai, Department of Health in Abu Dhabi). Foreign nationals must have deaths reported by their employer or sponsor; the deceased's embassy must be notified on the day of death. All documents are in Arabic and require certified translation. The UAE is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication is required for all documents. The public prosecutor takes jurisdiction for violent or unexplained deaths. Cremation is not available in the UAE for most nationalities.
Key facts
Repatriation from the United Arab Emirates to Nepal: what to expect
The UAE hosts one of the largest Nepali migrant worker communities in the world, with Nepali nationals working across construction, hospitality, and domestic services throughout Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the other emirates. When a Nepali national dies in the UAE, the sponsoring employer (under the kafala system) must notify the relevant emirate health authority and the Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi. The Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi coordinates the repatriation process and issues a No Objection Certificate for repatriation. The UAE is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication is required for all documents. All documents are in Arabic and require certified Nepali translation. Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu receives all repatriated remains. (Embassy of Nepal, Abu Dhabi; Government of Nepal Ministry of Home Affairs, 2025; UAE Ministry of Human Resources, 2025.)
- Key document: death certificate (in Arabic)
- Documentation takes 5-10 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- British Embassy or High Commission in Abu Dhabi registers the death and advises. They cannot fund repatriation.
- Death must be registered with the relevant emirate health authority (Dubai Health Authority in Dubai, Department of Health in Abu Dhabi) promptly.
- Nepal Embassy in Abu Dhabi can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
Step by step
Timeline: the United Arab Emirates to Nepal
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call +44 (0)20 7008 5000 (FCDO) or 999 (police and ambulance) / 998 (ambulance in some emirates) for local emergency services.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Death certificate obtained.
Death must be registered with the relevant emirate health authority (Dubai Health Authority in Dubai, Department of Health in Abu Dhabi). Violent, suspicious, or unexplained deaths (public prosecutor takes jurisdiction) may delay this step.
Local funeral director and registry
Nepal Embassy in Abu Dhabi notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation.
After body released by authorities.
Licensed local funeral director
All export documentation and permits obtained.
Allow 5-10 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo to Nepal
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Nepal funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from the United Arab Emirates to Nepal
In a straightforward case, repatriation from the United Arab Emirates to Nepal takes 4-8 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 3-4 weeks. Complex cases can take 8-14 weeks or longer.
Death must be registered with the relevant emirate health authority (Dubai Health Authority in Dubai, Department of Health in Abu Dhabi) promptly. Violent, suspicious, or unexplained deaths (public prosecutor takes jurisdiction) may add time before the body can be released.
The core documents are: death certificate with certified translation where required, embalming certificate, export permit, freedom from infection certificate, and passport of the deceased. Your repatriation coordinator handles obtaining these on your behalf.
The Nepal Embassy in Abu Dhabi can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Nepal Embassy in Abu Dhabi as soon as possible after the death.
Violent, suspicious, or unexplained deaths (public prosecutor takes jurisdiction) may trigger a post-mortem examination. This adds time: the body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The Nepali funeral director takes custody at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu, Nepal's only international airport. The local Ward Office under the Ministry of Home Affairs handles death registration on receipt of overseas documentation. Nepal is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication through the Embassy of Nepal in the origin country is required. All foreign documents require certified Nepali translation for the Ward Office. A hermetically sealed zinc-lined coffin is required. The Embassy of Nepal coordinates the overseas death registration.
Cremation is not available in the United Arab Emirates. Repatriation of the full body is the only option for most families. Contact the relevant embassy on the day of death to begin the repatriation process. You will need the local death certificate, cremation certificate, and relevant export documentation. Your repatriation specialist can advise on the current position.
In Nepal
When the body arrives in Nepal
The Nepali funeral director takes custody at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu, Nepal's only international airport. All repatriated remains arrive via KTM regardless of the final destination within Nepal. Death registration of overseas Nepalis is handled by the local Ward Office (formerly the Village Development Committee or Municipality) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, upon receipt of the overseas documentation. Nepal is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention; all foreign documents require full consular authentication through the Embassy of Nepal in the country of origin. All documents require certified Nepali translation for submission to the Ward Office. A hermetically sealed zinc-lined coffin is required for all air imports. The Embassy of Nepal in the origin country coordinates the overseas death registration process. (Embassy of Nepal, London; Government of Nepal Ministry of Home Affairs, 2025.)
Consular support
The Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi can advise on documentation requirements and coordinates the overseas death registration process. Nepal is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication through the Embassy in Abu Dhabi is required. The Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
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If your loved one has passed away in the United Arab Emirates, please do not face this alone. Our team will guide you through every step of bringing them home.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Updated June 2026.
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · the United Arab Emirates repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions