Korean language Test (EPS-TOPIK) 2026 2083 Application Form open from Nepal Government : How to fill-up Form online ?

 Government of Nepal, Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security, Department of Foreign Employment, EPS Korea Branch, Gwarko, Lalitpur has published notice regarding Korean Language Test ( EPS-TOPIK 2026). As per notice, applications has been invited for the first-phase of Korean Language Examination (EPS-TOPIK, 2026).

Every year, thousands of Nepali youths apply for the Korean language test, the first step for securing jobs in South Korea. South Korea has been hiring foreign workers in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and shipbuilding.The South Korean government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Nepal in 2007 to recruit workers under the EPS system, and the recruitment process has been ongoing since 2008.

Quotas:
According to the Memorandum of Understanding between Nepal and Korea, Korea has called for applications for 7,200 quotas under the Employment Permit System (EPS). Application has been invited for the Manufacturing ,Agriculture & Animal husbandry, Service and Forestry sectors. 5,000 quotas have been set for the manufacturing sector; 1,800 for the Agriculture & Animal husbandry sectors; 100 for the service sector, and 100 for the forestry sector. Based on the same demand, the EPS Korea Branch has announced the call for applications for the language examination.

Examination Fee:
The examination fee is 28 USD dollars. As per notice, the examination schedule will be published later. The validity of the candidates who pass the final examination will be for 2 years from the date of publication of the results.

AGE LIMIT:
Nepalese candidate who have completed 18 yrs and should not exceed 39 years of age; Born within 28 July, 1986 AD) and 27 July 2008 AD. Applicants should not have been convicted by a court for criminal charges, and have not illegally resided in Korea and returned from Korea can apply. Individuals should not be prohibited from going to other countries by the Government of Nepal and should not have stayed in Korea on an E-9 or E-10 visa for 5 years or more.

Application Period:
According to the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea), applications can be submitted through its official website from 11 Shrawan 2083 (July 27, 2026)  to 17 Shrawan 2083 (August 2, 2026).

Exam System and Marks Weightage for EPS-TOPIK 2026
The EPS-TOPIK will follow an objective multiple-choice format, with the structure as follows:
- Listening: 20 questions, 50 marks; Time: 25 Mins
- Reading: 20 questions, 50 marks; Time: 25 Mins
- Total: 40 questions, 100 marks
- Total Exam Duration: 50 Minutes for both sections

The application form must be registered through the Branch’s official website: https://eoers.epsnepal.gov.np

view official notice below for more details:

Korean Language Test (EPS-TOPIK, 2025, UBT ) Exam Notice for Agriculture and Livestock Sector

 Nepal's Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security has published notice about the upcoming Korean Language Examination for the  Agriculture and Livestock Sector  (EPS-TOPIK, 2025, UBT ) . This examination is an important step for candidates seeking employment in Korea through the Employment Permit System (EPS).

Key Details:
> Date and Time: The examination is scheduled to begin on February 15, 2026, which corresponds to the Nepali date 2082/11/03. Candidates should refer to the attached table for their specific examination date and time, which is determined by their Application Number (Registration Number).
> Location: The exam will be held at the National Vocational Training Institute, located in the Bhainsepati Premises, UBT Building, Lalitpur.

[ DOWNLOAD ]complete notice for more details

view official notice below for more details:

Korean Language Test (EPS-TOPIK, 2025, UBT ) Exam Notice for Manufacturing Sector

 Nepal's Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security has published notice about the upcoming Korean Language Examination for the manufacturing sector (EPS-TOPIK, 2025). This examination is an important step for candidates seeking employment in Korea through the Employment Permit System (EPS).

Key Details:
> Date and Time: The examination is scheduled to begin on February 17, 2025, which corresponds to the Nepali date 2082/08/01. Candidates should refer to the attached table for their specific examination date and time, which is determined by their Application Number (Registration Number).
> Location: The exam will be held at the National Vocational Training Institute, located in the Bhainsepati Premises, UBT Building, Lalitpur.

view official notice below for more details:

Korean language Test (EPS-TOPIK) 2025 2082 Application Form open from Nepal Government : How to fill-up Form online ?

 Government of Nepal, Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security, Department of Foreign Employment, EPS Korea Branch, Gwarko, Lalitpur has published notice reagrding Korean Language Test ( EPS-TOPIK 2025)

Every year, thousands of Nepali youths apply for the Korean language test, the first step for securing jobs in South Korea. South Korea has been hiring foreign workers in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and shipbuilding.The South Korean government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Nepal in 2007 to recruit workers under the EPS system, and the recruitment process has been ongoing since 2008.

QUOTAS:
As per notice, application has been invited for the Manufacturing and Agriculture & Animal husbandry sectors. 3,500 quotas have been set for the manufacturing sector and 1,800 for the Agriculture & Animal husbandry sectors.

Examination Fee:
The examination fee is 28 USD dollars. As per notice, the examination schedule will be published later.

AGE LIMIT:
Nepalese candidate who have completed 18 yrs and should not exceed 39 years of age; Born within 28 Shrawan 2042 (12 August 1985 AD) and 26 Shrawan 2064 (11 August 2007).

Application Period:
According to the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea), applications can be submitted through its official website from 26 Shrawan 2082 (11 August 11, 2025)  to 31 Shrawan 2082 (August 16, 2025).

Exam System and Marks Weightage for EPS-TOPIK 2025
The EPS-TOPIK will follow an objective multiple-choice format, with the structure as follows:
- Listening: 20 questions, 100 marks
- Reading: 20 questions, 100 marks
- Total: 40 questions, 200 marks
- Exam Duration: 50 Minutes for both sections

ONLINE APPLICATION
Eligible Nepali citizens who are interested to join the Korea-based test program are requested to fill application form via official link https://eoers.epsnepal.gov.np.

View official notice below for more details:

How to view EPS Korean language test results ?

EPS Korean Language Test Results Published 2023-2024 (Manufacturing)
The EPS Korea branch, which is managed by HRD Korea, has published the EPS-TOPIK 2023, UBT Examination results of the first phase for manufacturing positions. These exams were held from the 7th of Falgun to the 24th of Chaitra, 2080, with 40,580 candidates taking part, of whom 6,321 advanced to the next round.

Employment Permit System (EPS) is a program of govt of Korea under which Govt of Nepal sends eligible workers. South Korea happens to be one of the favoured destinations for foreign employment among the migrant Nepali workers.

Key Details:
First Phase Examination:
- Total Participants: 40,580
- Candidates Passed: 6,321

Second Phase Examination:
- Scheduled Dates: From the 9th to the 15th of Baisakh, 2081
- Total Expected Participants: 79,937 in the second phase
- Location: Nepal Administrative Training Institute

Third Phase Examination:
- Scheduled Dates: From the 31st of Baishakh to the 16th of Shrawan, 2081
- Participants for Third Phase: 36,179

General Statistics:
- Total Applications Received: 163,635

HOW TO VIEW RESULTS ?
The results can be viewed at the homepage of Department of Foreign Employment and also at the website of EPS-Korea section.
- Download Pdf Result

2nd Round Test Date and Time(3-1) [ DOWNLOAD ]

Korean Language Test (EPS-TOPIK, 2023) for Manufacturing Sector

 Nepal's Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security has published critical information about the upcoming Korean Language Examination for the manufacturing sector (EPS-TOPIK, 2023). This examination is an important step for candidates seeking employment in Korea through the Employment Permit System (EPS).

Key Details:
> Date and Time: The examination is scheduled to begin on February 19, 2024, which corresponds to the Nepali date 2080/11/7. Candidates should refer to the attached table for their specific examination date and time, which is determined by their Application Number (Registration Number).
> Location: The exam will be held at the National Vocational Training Institute, located in the Bhainsepati Premises, UBT Building, Lalitpur.

view official notice below for more details:

Korean language Test (EPS-TOPIK) 2023 2080 Application open from Nepal Government

Government of Nepal, Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security, Department of Foreign Employment, EPS Korea Branch, Gwarko, Lalitpur has publishes notice reagrding Korean Language Test ( EPS-TOPIK 2023)

Every year, thousands of Nepali youths apply for the Korean language test, the first step for securing jobs in South Korea. South Korea has emerged as a popular job destination for Nepalis in recent years because the country offers better facilities and pay to migrant workers.

Exam Dates:
- Language Test (EPS-TOPIK, UBT Language Test, 1st Round): The test is scheduled for Monday, 22nd January 2080, corresponding to 5th February 2024. Further details about the exam date will be released closer to the event.
- Skill Test (2nd Round): This will follow the publication of the Language Test results. Only those with the highest scores in their respective fields in the first round will qualify for this stage.

Examination Structure:
The language test will be conducted in four shifts in a single day. In case of a high number of applicants, the test may be split into two stages: first and second.

AGE LIMIT:
Nepalese candidate who have completed 18 yrs and should not exceed 39 years of age (Born within 4th Poush 2040 to 3rd Poush 2062).

Application Period:
2 Poush 2080 ( Monday) - 6 Poush 2080 ( Friday) i.e. ( 18 December -22 December 2023)

Eligible Nepali citizens who are interested to join the Korea-based test program areare requested to fill application form via official link https://eoers.epsnepal.gov.np.

view official notice below for more details:

Application Open for Korean language Test (EPS-TOPIK) from Nepal Government

Government of Nepal, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security Department of Foreign Employment, EPS Korea Branch Gwarko, Lalitpur has published notice regarding filling out the application form for the Korean language test (EPS-TOPIK).

Every year, thousands of Nepali youths apply for the Korean language test, the first step for securing jobs in South Korea.South Korea has emerged as a popular job destination for Nepalis in recent years because the country offers better facilities and pay to migrant workers.

AGE LIMIT:
Nepalese candidate who have completed 18 yrs and should not exceed 39 years of age (Born within 5th Poush 2039 to 4th Poush 2061).

Eligible Nepali citizens who are interested to join the Korea-based test program are invited to register the application form based on the details given below:

EPS Korean Language Test 2021-2022 Updates in Nepal

 As pandemic grips country, Korean language test uncertain this year as well

With the country reeling under a second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, officials say chances of the test taking place this year are slim.The fate of Korean language test for Nepalis aspiring to work in South Korea looks uncertain this year as well.


As the country is reeling under a second wave of Covid-19 pandemic with most parts of the country under a lockdown, officials are unsure when or if the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) will take place.The Covid-19 pandemic had led to the postponement of last year’s test as well.

According to Indra Gautam, director at the Employment Permit System (EPS) Korea Section under the Department of Foreign Employment, no decision has been taken so far on whether the test would be happening in the immediate future.

“Earlier, there had been discussions about conducting the test some time this year. But looking at the current situation, we cannot say anything” Gautam said. “Things look uncertain for now.”


Every year, the EPS Korea Section announces the test in April-May. The test dates are then jointly decided by the section and the Korean authority.The test for this year has not been announced yet.

The Korean language test could not be held last year as the country was in the midst of the first wave of the pandemic.

While the concerned authorities had considered adopting a computer-based test (CBT) module to conduct the test later in the year, the plan did not materialise.The authorities eventually postponed the test for 2021.Now, this year too, there is a high chance of the test being deferred because of Covid-19.

“There has been no communication with the Korean side concerning the test in recent weeks. As everything has remained closed here, the discussion has not moved ahead,” said Gautam. “It all depends on how the situation unfolds in the coming weeks or months.”

Gautam added that both sides were positive about conducting the language test this year.

Earlier this year, a delegation of South Korean officials visited Nepal to assess the situation for conducting the language test.

Another delegation was also expected to make a similar visit, but then the second wave of Covid-19 struck Nepal.

Every year, thousands of Nepali youths apply for the Korean language test, the first step for securing jobs in South Korea.

In 2019, a record 92,000 candidates had applied for the test.

South Korea has emerged as a popular job destination for Nepalis in recent years because the country offers better facilities and pay to migrant workers compared to other labour hosting nations like Malaysia and the Persian Gulf states.

According to government statistics, more than 65,000 Nepalis have gone to South Korea under the Employment Permit System since 2008.


Labour migration to South Korea has remained suspended since February 2020.

Several thousand candidates who cleared the language and skill tests and got selected for jobs in 2019 have been unable to take up their jobs. It remains unknown when they will be able to fly to South Korea.

“The suspension of international flights only delayed their chances of flying to South Korea,” Gautam said. “Things are unlikely to progress until the Covid-19 situation gets better.”

As for the language test taking place this year, Gautam said the prospects are very low.

Even when things were comparatively better last year, he said the test could not be held.

“The situation is far worse this time.”

source: the kathmandu post,16 May 2021

EPS Korean Language Test 2020 2021

The Employment Permit System (EPS) language test, which was postponed in 2020 due to global pandemic COVID-19, is scheduled to be held within the first quarter of 2021. Due to the increasing no. corona infection cases , it is not possible to take the exam till Mangsir (December) this year, so the date of the language exam has been postponed to next year.

The language test, which is usually held annually at Chaitra or Baishakh (March / April), was postponed this year due to corona but was eventually canceled due to the increasing no. of COVID-19 Cases.

After a halt in departure to South Korea, now Korean language test looks uncertain too

Both countries have not yet announced dates of Korean language test amidst the Covid-19 tension.

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to hit Nepal’s labour migration sector as the dates for Korean language test for Korea job aspirants have also been affected.

The dates for Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK), a mandatory Korean language test for Nepali migrant workers aspiring to work in South Korea, have not been announced so far, which is linked to the ongoing global health crisis.

No formal announcement has been made about this year’s test, Baburam Ghimire, a section officer at the Employment Permit System (EPS) Section of the Department of Foreign Employment, told the Post.

“We have not heard anything from the Human Resources Development Service of South Korea regarding the language dates yet,” Ghimire said. “Usually, the notice about the test is out by this time of the year.”

Customarily, the EPS section announces the test in April-May. The test dates are then decided by the EPS Section and the Korean authority.

Since both countries are currently fighting Covid-19, the test dates remain undecided.

All departures to South Korea have been suspended since mid-February at the request of the Korean authorities as the country was in the midst of a fight against Covid-19. Before that, around 100 Nepali youths were leaving for South Korea every week. The first-timers would leave on Saturdays and the returnee migrant workers on Wednesdays.

Nearly 300 youths had completed the procedures to go to South Korea before the crisis, Ghimire told the Post.  

The delay in the test means more youths preparing for the test will be affected. Last year, a record number of over 92,000 had applied for South Korean jobs. Only 6,908 among them had passed the language and skill tests to qualify for jobs in South Korea.

Those youths who had qualified for the 2020 job intake have been unable to leave.

“We have filled up the employment forms and submitted them to the Human Resources Development Service of South Korea. Their names have been updated on the roster as well,” Ghimire said. “Candidates have started getting their labour contracts from the employers, but due to the travel restrictions and lockdowns triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, not a single candidate has been able to leave for South Korea.”

Every year, thousands of Nepali youths apply for the Korean language test with the dream of working in South Korea.

South Korea has emerged as one of the most-preferred labour destinations among aspiring Nepali migrant workers as the country offers better wages and facilities in comparison to other countries, like Malaysia and the Persian Gulf states.

source: the kathmandu post, 24 april 2020READ ALSO:

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Nepal Government EPS TOPIK Examination notice,EPS Korea Section

EPS TOPIK Exam Results Published (28 June 2019)
Results of the Tenth edition of the Test in Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) language under the Employment Permit System (EPS) have been announced. Employment Permit System (EPS) is a program of govt of Korea under which Govt of Nepal sends eligible workers.


The examination of 10th EPS-TOPIK was held on Jestha 25 and 26.

click [ HERE ] to view results of 10th EPS TOPIK Exam

READ ALSO:

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) announces vacancy for various Assistant and Officer Level Position; No. of job openings: 655

EPS TOPIK Exam Centre Notice 2019 ( 2 June 2019):
The Employment Permit System (EPS) Korea Section under the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) has published a notice providing information regarding the examination centres for the Tenth Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) language.

Aspiring candidates can sit for their Korean language proficiency examination from a total of 32 test centres. As per EPS Korea Section, 28 test centres are located in Kathmandu Valley and four are in Pokhara.


Examination Shift:
Examination will he held in two shift. Passing this exam qualifies one to get a job in South Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS).The examination will be conducted in Kathmandu and Pokhara.Only first 12,000 applicants can apply for the test for the Pokhara centre.



Examination of First Shift starts from 10:00 am onwards and second shift starts from 13:30 onwards.

Examination Date for EPS-TOPIK 2019:
2075 Jestha 25 and 26 (Saturday  and Sunday) i.e. June 8 and 9, 2019.



Exam Centre Notice
click [ HERE ] to view official exam centre notice for more details.


Published on 12 march 2019
Government of Nepal announces application for EPS TOPIK Examination

Government of Nepal, Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Securiy, Department of Foreign Employment has published a notice for EPS-TOPIK 2019 (10th PBT).The Korean government is likely to recruit around 10,050 Nepali workers under the EPS for 2019.A first phase of the Korean language test- 2019 under the Employment Permit System (EPS) is scheduled for June this year.

AGE LIMIT:
Nepalese candidate who have completed 18 yrs and should not exceed 39 years of age (Born within 10th Chaitra 2036 to 09 Chaitra 2057).



Examination Shift:
Examination will he held in two shift. Passing this exam qualifies one to get a job in South Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS).The examination will be conducted in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and the applicants are required to choose the exam centre (between the two) in the registration form.The applicants can fill up the registration online by visiting EPS centre’s website. Only first 12,000 applicants can apply for the test for the Pokhara centre.

READ ALSO:

Payment for Korean language test registration now via online gateways

Examination Date for EPS-TOPIK 2019:
2075 Jestha 25 and 26 (Saturday  and Sunday) i.e. June 8 and 9, 2019.

Application form registration:
2075 Chaitra 8 to 17 (i.e. March 22 to March 31, 2019)



Other details:
> Examination Fee: USD 24
> Examination center and Time will be published on 2nd June 2019 , Sunday.
> Application form must be submitted via:  [ LINK HERE ]
> Language Results will be published on 28 June 2019
> candidates should not have Color Blindness and Color Weakness



It is to be noted that passing the EPS TOPIK exams only opens the door for jobs in Korea. It does not guarantee job immediately.

View official notice below for more details regarding EPS-TOPIK 2019:

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EPS-TOPIK Exam centres notice, Nepal Government, EPS Korea Section

The Employment Permit System (EPS) Korea Section under the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) has published a notice providing information regarding the examination centres for the Tenth Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) language.

Aspiring candidates can sit for their Korean language proficiency examination from a total of 32 test centres. As per EPS Korea Section, 28 test centres are located in Kathmandu Valley and four are in Pokhara.

READ ALSO:

EPS TOPIK Examination notice,EPS Korea Section

Examination Shift:
Examination will he held in two shift. Passing this exam qualifies one to get a job in South Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS).The examination will be conducted in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Only first 12,000 applicants can apply for the test for the Pokhara centre.

Examination of First Shift starts from 10:00 am onwards and second shift starts from 13:30 onwards.

Examination Date for EPS-TOPIK 2019:
2075 Jestha 25 and 26 (Saturday  and Sunday) i.e. June 8 and 9, 2019.

view official exam centre notice:

Lok Sewa Aayog : exam preparation questions answer reading materials

Payment for Korean language test registration now via online gateways

The Korean language test will take place on March 29 and 30 at various centres in Kathmandu and Pokhara

Tens of thousands of Nepali youths, aspiring to work in South Korea, are likely to get a respite as they would be able to pay fee for the Korean language test through online payment gateways.


Starting from this year, the Employment Permit Section (EPS), under the Department of Foreign Employment, has made arrangements for candidates to submit fee for Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) via online payment options.

READ ALSO:

Government of Nepal announces application for EPS TOPIK Examination

According to Shobhakar Bhandari, information officer with the EPS, the authority responsible for management of labour migration to South Korea, two online payment gateways–IME Pay and E-Sewa–have been selected for accepting the language test registration fee.

The official believed that allowing candidates to submit fee through online options would make the process hassle-free.


“We have decided to open online payment for making it easier for candidates. They would not have to stand in queues for hours for submitting the examination fee,” said Bhandari.

“Now onwards, they can do it from their homes.”

While the registration process for the language test has gone online, branches of Global IME Bank had been receiving exam fee before.

Prospective applicants have to pay $24 equivalent in Nepali rupees either at the bank or make the payment via online transaction partner for receiving a unique transaction code required for applying for the test online. 

Earlier, candidates had no other option than to stand in queues for hours for paying the fee for the Korean language test which they must pass to land a job in South Korea.


Last year, candidates had gathered at Global IME Bank counters since a night before the registration opened. Many had chosen to spend the night under the open sky for submitting the fee next day.

At many other places, candidates standing in queue for the same purpose were common sights. Many had complained about limiting the banking options and criticised the authority for not making the payment possible through online facility.

“This year also we had issued the notice for interested banks and online payment gateways to be part of the registration process by receiving the payment. Only one bank and two online payment partners showed interest so we could not hire more,” added Bhandari.

The Korean language test will take place on March 29 and 30 at various centres in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

According to Bhandari, the number of examination centres for both cities is yet to be fixed.

“Exam centres will be decided based on the number of candidates,” added Bhandari.

According to the Department of Foreign Employment, a total of 59,698 Nepali migrant workers have reached South Korea since the country opened its market to foreign workers in 2008.

source: the kathmandu post, 18 March 2019

Skill test must for EPS workers from 2020

The South Korean government is preparing to introduce a skill test for Nepali migrant workers who are selected under its Employment Permit System (EPS) along with the existing language proficiency test.

“The new provision of the skill test for workers selected under the EPS system will come into effect form 2020,” said Shobhakar Bhandari, spokesperson for EPS Korea section under the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security.

As per the new provision, the Korean government has separated the industrial category ratio, whereby the skill test will contribute 20 per cent to the total score and the remaining 80 per cent will be covered by the language test. Likewise, in the agricultural category, the skill test will cover 30 per cent of the total score and the language test will cover 70 per cent.


However, the selection criteria will remain the same as the existing one for 2019, said Bhandari.

The Korean government recruits migrant workers from 16 countries including Nepal and the skill test provision has already been implemented in all the other countries.

The EPS Korea section and the Korean government had planned to launch the skill test provision in Nepal from 2019 but due to lack of preparation the new system will only be launched in 2020.


“As per the new system Nepali migrant workers who aspire to go to South Korea will also have to do well in the skill test,” said Bhandari, adding that workers will not be eligible only through the language proficiency test.

He further informed that the new system was being introduced as most Nepali workers going to South Korea lacked the skills for which they had been selected.

The South Korean government will be providing employment opportunities to 7,100 Nepali workers in 2019, of whom 4,800 will be employed in the production sector and the remaining workers in the agriculture sector. The labour demand from South Korea stood at 10,200 in 2018 and 3,100 in 2017.

Altogether, 74,866 job aspirants appeared for the Korean Language Test (KLT) conducted by the EPS of South Korea this year. This was the ninth series of the KLT and those selected through the KLT will be eligible to apply for jobs in South Korea.

source: the himalayan times, 25 June 2018

Over 7,000 miss Korean proficiency test; 247 get expelled for cheating

Thousands of candidates, who had registered for the Korean language proficiency test (TOPIK), did not take the exams that concluded on Sunday.

Passing the test is compulsory before one can go to South Korea for jobs under the Employment Permit System. The exams were conducted on Saturday and Sunday.

According to EPS Korea section of the Department of Foreign Employment, 82,264 people had registered for TOPIK  and only 74,866 of them took the test.


Shobhakar Bhandari, the information officer of the EPS Korea section of the department, said 7,398 candidates missed the test this year— 3,429 on Saturday and 3,969 on Sunday.

Nearly 7,000 candidates had missed the exams last year.

“A significant number of candidates never appear in the test. This is a regular phenomenon. This year the absentee number has gone up comparatively higher than last year,” said Bhandari.

 The EPS section had fixed 28 exam centres—16 in Kathmandu, eight in Lalitpur and four in Pokhara—this year.

The number of exam cheaters and fake examinees also went up this year. A total 247 people—58 on Saturday and 189 on Sunday—were expelled or arrested from different test centres this year. There were fewer than 100 cases of exam rule violations last year.

“We had a high number of fake examinees this year. As a penalty, the registered candidates will be prohibited from taking the test for the next three years,” Bhandari said.

The popularity of South Korean jobs among Nepali youths has gone up since the two countries signed the agreement on EPS in 2007.

In 2016, over 60,000 had registered for the language test, which went up to 75,000 in 2017. For job placement in 2019, 82,264 candidates -39,640 in agriculture and 42,624 in manufacturing sector - had filed their applications.

The South Korean government has fixed the maximum ceiling of 7,100 workers from Nepal.

“As Nepal has limited employment opportunities and South Korean jobs have better perks and facilities, our youths are more inclined for jobs there,” said Bhandari.

source: the kathmandu post, 11 june 2018

Korean Language Test begins today

The two-day Korean Language Test (KLT) conducted by the Employment Permit System (EPS) in South Korea for Nepali job aspirants will begin from Saturday.

The EPS Korea Section at the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) informed that necessary groundwork to hold the KLT exam in a fair manner simultaneously in Kathmandu and Pokhara has been completed.

Altogether, 82,264 job aspirants are expected to appear for the Korean language proficiency exam this year. They had submitted the KLT online application at EPS Korea Section in April.

Uddhav Prasad Rijal, information officer at DoFE, said that 28 examination centres (16 in Kathmandu, eight in Lalitpur and four in Pokhara) have been fixed for the KLT examination.

On both days, the one-hour KLT examination will be taken in two shifts — 10:00am to 11:00am and 2:00pm to 3:00pm.

Meanwhile, the South Korean government, which has been taking Nepali workers on the basis of their KLT results, has mentioned that the job aspirants should from now on also possess required work skills.

This means that along with clearing the KLT, job aspirants should also have sound skills and work ability to get a chance to work in South Korea.

The South Korean government will be providing employment opportunities to 7,100 Nepali workers in 2019, of whom 4,800 will be employed in the production sector and the remaining workers in the agriculture sector.

The labour demand from South Korea stood at 10,200 in 2018 and 3,100 in 2017.


Of the total applicants for KLT this year, 39,640 (30,179 males and 9,461 females) have applied for jobs in the agriculture sector and 42,624 (39,208 males and 3,416 females) have applied for jobs in the production sector.

This is the ninth series of the KLT and those selected through the KLT will be eligible to apply for jobs in South Korea. The validity of KLT will be for two years, which means that those who pass KLT cannot apply for jobs in South Korea after two years.

The South Korean government has set basic monthly salary of 1,236,000 won (around $1,075) for Nepali workers.

Over 50,000 Nepali workers have received opportunities to work in South Korea under the EPS so far and thousands of them have already returned to Nepal after completing their 58-month job placement in the country, according to EPS Korea Section.

source: the himalayan times, june 2018