Padam Gurung:
The Misery of Nepali Students Going to Korea on Student Visas
Kathmandu, 27 Aug: In recent years, a growing number of Nepali youths have traveled to South Korea on student visas, hoping for a brighter future. Many believed that studying in Korea would open doors to quality education, part-time job opportunities, and a better lifestyle.
However, the reality has been far different from their expectations. Instead of focusing on studies, many students are unable to find job to cover tuition fees and living expenses. The high cost of education, combined with strict visa rules, has left many in financial distress.
Some students are even forced to abandon their studies altogether, becoming undocumented workers to survive. Others face immense mental pressure, loneliness, and exploitation in workplaces. What was once seen as a golden opportunity is now turning into a bitter struggle for survival.
This “misery” of students going to Korea on a student visa has raised serious concerns in Nepal. Experts are calling for better guidance, monitoring, and government support so that aspiring students do not fall into the trap of false promises and end up sacrificing their future.
Pokhara’s Bishal Limbu (name changed), who came to South Korea on a student visa three years ago with dreams of a bright future, is now facing a very challenging situation. He came with a sweet dream of progressing in life by acquiring an international-level education, but is now under the stress of illegal residence and hidden work. He has lost his student visa due to a consultancy fraud. Bishal is now undocumented.
Bishal did not even try to understand anything about the college that he was going to study at first. The consultancy had sent him to a college whose educational quality was not recognized on a D4 visa. Due to which, he says, the visa could not be continued. ‘After completing the language studies, I had to move from D4 to D2. However, there was a problem moving to D2. At that time, I had informed the consultancy that sent me about my situation completely. However, the consultancy did not provide any help,’ he said.
The reality of Korea
For many international students, life in South Korea is far more difficult than what they had imagined before arriving. Students who go to Korea for study cannot easily find work. There is no proper part-time system there. Most of the jobs available are monthly contracts, which makes it difficult for students to work. Since students have to attend college during the day, it becomes even harder for them to manage their expenses by doing part-time work, as such jobs are rarely available.
Another major difficulty is the language barrier; although some universities offer programs in English, daily life—from renting a room to visiting the hospital—requires Korean, making students feel isolated and dependent. Many suffer from cultural shock, loneliness, and mental stress, being far from their families and support networks. In the worst cases, students who cannot keep up with tuition or living costs drop out of school, and without legal status, they are forced to be illegal and constant fear of deportation. What starts as a dream of quality education and better opportunities often turns into a struggle for survival, where study becomes secondary to financial and emotional challenges.
Increasing Suicidal Cases
148 Nepalis have died in Korea in the last 7 years. The Nepali Embassy has stated that the number of Nepalis has increased since 2019. 37 people have committed suicide during the same period.
The number of suicides is increasing due to mental stress caused by the burden of work and studies. Similarly, Nepalis who come to Korea with the idea of earning millions are found to fall prey to mental problems and choose suicide because they do not have the expected income here.
According to preliminary data by the Korea Foundation for Suicide Prevention (KFSP), a total of 14,439 suicide cases were reported in 2024, with the daily average recorded at 39.5.
Solution
The difficulties international students encounter in South Korea—financial pressure, language barriers, lack of part-time work opportunities, and mental stress—can be reduced through a combination of government action, university support, and student preparation.
The Korean government could introduce a more flexible part-time work system for international students, allowing them to legally work enough hours to cover basic living expenses.
Strong monitoring against exploitation in workplaces would protect students from abuse and underpayment.
Universities can expand scholarship opportunities, reduce tuition fees for foreign students, and create more on-campus job opportunities that fit within students’ study schedules.
Counseling services and mental health support should be made more accessible in English and other major languages.
Students should be encouraged to learn Korean before arriving. This would ease daily life, improve job opportunities, and reduce isolation.
Orientation programs about culture, rights, and responsibilities can prepare them for realistic challenges.
Before leaving their home country, students and their families must understand that studying in Korea is primarily for education, not quick money-making.
Proper financial planning is necessary, so students do not rely only on uncertain part-time jobs.
