KATHMANDU: The Saudi Arabian Embassy in Nepal has confirmed that the mandatory Skill Verification Program (SVP) for Nepali migrant workers will launch on July 1, rejecting requests for postponement.

Saudi Ambassador Fahd Mohammad A. Mnikhr clarified that the state policy features a capped fee of USD 50 (around Rs 7,500), with testing centers expanding to Kathmandu, Lumbini, Janakpur, Narayangarh, and Mahottari.

However, the Nepal Foreign Employment Entrepreneurs Association has strongly condemned the move, appealing to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Labor Ministry to intervene.

Association argued that letting private entities run the SVP bypasses state bodies like CTEVT, breaches bilateral agreements, and risks creating a corrupt, monopolistic syndicate prone to bribery—similar to the current VFS biometric system.