The Nepal government has temporarily halted the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for students seeking to study in South Korea, citing systemic abuses of student visas and welfare risks.
The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology on Tuesday announced the suspension, pending a review of the NOC system.
The government has identified widespread misuse of South Korea’s D-2 (student) and D-4 (training) visas, with many Nepali students prioritizing employment over education—leading to academic discontinuation.
Reports highlight enrollments in low-quality universities offering shorter study periods, exacerbating the issue. Compounding the problem, students unable to secure jobs face mental health crises, while others violate rules by attending South Korea’s blacklisted universities.
Meanwhile, a task-force has been formed to study regulatory reforms and submit recommendations to address these systemic challenges.
"The NOC issuance has been halted until the task force finalizes measures to ensure student welfare and compliance," the ministry stated.
The suspension follows documented cases of abuse and rising dropout numbers, with Nepali students in South Korea often forced into unstable jobs under visa programs designed exclusively for education.
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