The dream of finding better opportunities abroad is drawing an increasing number of Nepalis out of the country, with long queues of people seeking foreign employment continuing to grow.
Despite repeated government promises to create jobs at home, thousands of young people are lining up daily at government offices responsible for foreign employment, passports and overseas work procedures. The Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE), the Korea Employment Permit System (EPS) Branch and the Department of Passports (DoP) have witnessed a sharp rise in the number of service seekers compared to previous years.
The growing exodus has been attributed to multiple factors, including political instability, the closure of industries and factories, a declining investment environment, difficulties in running small businesses and an economic slowdown that has reduced employment opportunities at home.Political Analysis Reports
At Tribhuvan International Airport, the number of people departing for foreign countries has also increased. While around 1,500 Nepalis used to leave the country daily in previous years, the number has now surpassed that figure. Data from the DoFE under the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs show that around 2,000 Nepalis are leaving the country every day through the airport.
According to the DoFE, as of July 16 in fiscal year 2025/26, a total of 792,187 Nepali workers had received labour permits to work abroad. Of them, 697,096 were men and 95,091 were women.
Among the 110 countries approved for Nepali workers, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) received the highest number, at 183,580.
With geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including the conflict involving the United States and Iran, many Nepalis are increasingly looking toward South Korea and European countries as preferred destinations for employment.
South Korea dream creates passport rush
The growing attraction of South Korea has created long queues outside the DoP in Tripureshwar, Kathmandu. The crowds seen on Wednesday and Thursday were mostly young people seeking passports to apply for the Korean language examination under the EPS.
The rush began after applications for the 2026 Korean language test opened on Monday. The deadline for submitting applications is August 2, and thousands of young applicants have been visiting the DoP to complete the required procedures.
To manage the increased pressure, the DoP began operating electronic passport services in two shifts from Thursday.
Although the government recently claimed that passport services had improved following a major data transfer and that 1,500 passports were being printed daily, service seekers continue to face long waits and delays.
Many applicants complain that they still encounter the same problems as before, including server failures, delays in document verification and the absence of officials responsible for approving applications.
After waiting in line throughout Thursday without receiving his passport, Ram Krishna Shrestha of Nuwakot expressed frustration over the unchanged situation despite government claims of improved services.
Shrestha, who returned after working in Qatar for three years and was preparing to go to South Korea after renewing his passport, told Republica, “Service seekers are still facing problems such as hours-long waits, repeated server outages, online payment failures, quickly filled appointment slots, and delays in passport distribution.”Newspapers
“What kind of service is this where people cannot even get appointments on their preferred dates?” he questioned.
Similarly, Hikmat Karki of Ramechhap said he had been visiting the DoP for two to three days in hopes of completing the process but remained uncertain about when his work would be finished.
Shrestha and Karki represent the struggles faced by many young Nepalis standing in long queues every day to obtain passports for overseas employment.
Government promises improvement
Passport printing, which had been handled by French company IDEMIA since 2018, has now been transferred to German companies Mühlbauer and Veridos. The government had said the change would ensure more modern, faster and accessible passport services. However, service seekers say improvements have yet to be reflected in practice.
Many applicants said that even after completing all procedures and submitting their applications, they still have to wait nearly two weeks to receive their passports.
The DoP has decided to operate electronic passport services in two shifts until August 7. It has also announced plans to provide services during public holidays.
Under the new arrangement, the first shift for passport distribution will operate from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM, while the second shift will run from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Passport services will also be available from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturdays and other public holidays.
The department said the additional arrangements were introduced to manage the surge in applicants for the EPS Korea language test and ensure timely service delivery.
Officials expressed confidence that the pressure would gradually ease as services continue through extended hours and additional shifts.
