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.

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.