Thousands of prospective migrant workers are expected to apply, said officials at the Departmen of Foreign Employment (DoFE).

 “Many who could not pass the test last year are also likely to apply. We hope to receive more applicants this year,” said one DoFE official.

Applicants could submit their applications at any of the 10 centres that the Ministry of Labour and Employment has set up across the country.

Inside Kathmandu Valley, the ministry has opened application collection centres at Bed Bidhyashram Sanskrit Secondary School in Gaushala, Kathmandu Valley Higher Secondary School in Maharajgunj, Laboratory Higher Secondary School in Kirtipur, Mahendra Aadarsha Higher Secondary School and Chyasal ground in Lalitpur.

Applicants living outside the Valley can turn in their applications at any of the centres established in Dharan, Janakpur, Butwal, Pokhara and Dadheldhura.

All applicants are required to pay USD 24 (around Rs 2,400) with their applications. Those younger than 18 years and older than 39 years will not be eligible to sit for the test.

A total of 62,514 applicants had applied for the test last year, of which 3,663 (6.2 percent) had passed.

South Korea has emerged as one of the most sought-after destinations for Nepali workers due to low recruitment cost, better benefit schemes and high salary compared to Gulf countries.