South Korea Opens Applications for Nepali Migrant Workers under Employment Permit System

Strategic Insights -

The Employment Permit System (EPS) of South Korea has begun accepting applications for the Korean language test from Nepali citizens, a crucial step for the recruitment of 5,300 migrant workers in the manufacturing and livestock sectors. The first phase of the language test, scheduled to take place in Kathmandu, aims to select 3,500 workers for manufacturing and 1,800 for livestock farming, with the potential for recruitment numbers to fluctuate based on Korean labor demands. This development marks the ongoing collaboration between South Korea and Nepal, which dates back to 2007 when the two governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the EPS system.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Employment Permit System of South Korea is opening applications for the Korean language test for Nepali citizens from August 11 through August 16.
  • The first phase of the language test aims to recruit 5,300 Nepali migrant workers, with 3,500 selected for manufacturing and 1,800 for livestock farming.
  • Candidates must be between 18 and 39 years old and apply for employment in only one sector.
  • A total of 14,224 Nepalis took labor permits to work in South Korea in fiscal year 2024/25.
  • Over 110,000 Nepalis have worked in South Korea as migrant workers, with 50,000 currently employed.
  • The South Korean government signed an MoU with the Government of Nepal in 2007 to recruit workers under the EPS system.
  • The recruitment process has been ongoing since 2008.

Statistics:

  • 5,300: number of Nepali migrant workers to be recruited in the first phase of the language test.
  • 3,500: number of workers to be selected for the manufacturing sector.
  • 1,800: number of workers to be selected for livestock farming.
  • 110,000+: total number of Nepalis working in South Korea as migrant workers.
  • 50,000: number of Nepalis currently working in South Korea.
  • 14,224: total number of Nepalis who took labor permits to work in South Korea in fiscal year 2024/25.

Sources:

  • Employment Permit System of South Korea
  • Department of Foreign Employment, Nepal
  • Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between South Korea and Nepal (2007)