How to Become a Certified Welder and Work Abroad from Nepal
From CTEVT training to a 6G trade test and a NPR 2.5 lakh/month Gulf pipeline-welder job. The complete welder career roadmap for Nepali workers.
6G pipeline welders are among the highest-paid blue-collar workers globally. A Nepali 6G welder working for Qatar's Ras Laffan contractors or Saudi Aramco can earn NPR 200,000–280,000 per month, well above what most university graduates earn in Nepal. The path from zero to certified 6G welder takes 6–12 months of focused training and certification, and this guide walks through each step.
Why welding is a high-leverage trade
- Pay grows fast with certification. Helper to 1G welder to 3G welder to 6G welder roughly doubles wages at each step.
- Permanent global demand. Oil and gas, infrastructure and manufacturing all need welders on an ongoing basis. Automation has not replaced hands-on pipeline welding.
- Mobile certifications. ASME 3G/6G credentials are recognised across every Gulf country, Europe and most of Asia.
- Clear progression. Senior welders move into welding inspection (CSWIP, AWS CWI), office-based supervisor roles paying NPR 400k+.
The welding certification ladder
CTEVT Welder Level I (entry)
A 3-month course at a CTEVT-affiliated training centre covers basic SMAW (shielded metal arc welding), safety and electrode selection. Cost in Kathmandu: NPR 15,000–25,000. Entry salary in the Gulf: NPR 60,000–90,000/month.
CTEVT Welder Level II + 3G certification
An additional 2-month specialisation covers MIG, TIG, vertical-up (3G) and overhead welding, building toward ASME Section IX competence. Cost: NPR 25,000–40,000 extra. Gulf salary: NPR 100,000–150,000/month.
Pipeline welder: 6G certification
6G is the premium credential in this trade. It means welding pipes in a 45-degree fixed position, combining all welding positions in one test, and ASME 6G is the standard for oil and gas pipeline work. Training runs 1 month of focused specialisation after Level II, and you must then pass an on-site trade test at the destination employer's facility. Salary in Qatar or Saudi Arabia: NPR 180,000–280,000/month.
Where to train in Nepal
CTEVT-affiliated training centres operate in every district. Recommended options in major cities:
- Balaju Industrial Training Centre (Kathmandu): CTEVT-affiliated, long-established, strong 6G preparation.
- Helvetas SDC partner centres (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Nepalgunj): Swiss-funded, modern facilities.
- Lalitpur Technical School: CTEVT Level I and II combined courses.
- Private welding institutes: verify CTEVT affiliation before enrolling.
Total cost to become a 6G welder
A realistic budget from zero to 6G-ready looks like this:
- CTEVT Level I: NPR 15,000–25,000
- Level II + 3G: NPR 25,000–40,000
- 6G specialisation: NPR 30,000–50,000
- Tools and PPE: NPR 15,000–25,000
- Travel and accommodation during training: NPR 20,000–40,000
Total: NPR 105,000–180,000. This pays back within 1–2 months of working abroad as a 6G welder.
The application route abroad
- Complete your CTEVT certifications.
- Build a portfolio: take photos and video of your welds, especially position welds, and keep them on a USB stick.
- Apply for welder vacancies on our Welder jobs page.
- Pass our initial screening. We may run a local trade test at our partner centre.
- Complete the employer interview, often over Zoom.
- Fly to the destination and pass the employer's on-site trade test. Most 6G employers run a 6-hour test on day one.
- Start work at full certified-welder pay.
If you fail the on-site trade test
Don't panic. Most ethical Gulf employers offer a 1-week practice period and a re-test. If you fail twice, you may be reassigned to a lower-grade welding role (3G or fabricator) at proportionally lower pay. The employer typically covers your return ticket if both tests fail.
Career path after 5 years
- Senior welder / charge-hand: supervises 5–10 welders. NPR 250k–350k/month.
- Welding inspector (CSWIP, AWS CWI): office- or site-based QA-QC role. NPR 350k–500k/month.
- Pipeline supervisor: oversees full pipeline crews. NPR 400k–600k/month.
- Return to Nepal as instructor: many ex-Gulf welders open their own training centres.
Want to start? Visit our office at Battishputali-9 for a free counselling session on the welder route, or browse current welder vacancies.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a 6G welder?+
Realistically 6-12 months of focused training and practice from zero. CTEVT Level I (3 months), then Level II plus 3G (2 months), then 6G specialisation (1 month) plus 2-3 months of supervised practice on pipeline mockups. The actual ASME 6G certification itself is a single test.
Can I work as a welder abroad without 6G certification?+
Yes. 1G and 3G welders are also in demand. Starting salary as a 1G welder in the Gulf is around NPR 60,000-90,000/month. Most Nepali welders progress to 3G within 1-2 years on the job and 6G within 3-5 years.
Do I need to pass a trade test in Nepal before flying?+
Yes, most employers want to see a Nepal-side trade test pass before booking the visa, but the final test happens on-site at the destination. Our Kathmandu partner centre runs CTEVT-aligned trade tests for our welder candidates.
What if I'm already a welder in Nepal but without CTEVT certification?+
CTEVT offers Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), a fast-track assessment that converts your existing welding experience into a CTEVT certificate. This is useful if you've worked at a Nepali factory or workshop and want to fast-track your placement abroad.
What is the difference between a 3G and a 6G welding certification?+
3G certifies vertical-up welding in a single fixed position. 6G certifies welding a pipe joint at a 45-degree angle, which combines flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead welding technique in one test. 6G is harder to pass and pays significantly more because it qualifies you for pipeline work.
Ready to take the next step?
Contact our counsellors for a free consultation.