Passport seekers crowd Kathmandu’s Passport Department (Photos)

Kathmandu's Department of Passports saw a significant influx of applicants, with long queues forming as people sought to obtain or renew their travel documents. The scene at the department in Tripureshwor was one of considerable congestion, primarily comprised of young men and women.

This surge in passport applications is closely linked to the increasing opportunities for Nepalis to work abroad, particularly in South Korea. A growing number of individuals are applying for passports to qualify for the Employment Permit System (EPS), a pathway for foreign workers to secure jobs in the South Korean labor market.

The sheer volume of applicants created a challenging situation for the passport department, highlighting the high demand for overseas employment and the logistical hurdles involved in processing such a large number of applications efficiently. The photos accompanying the report visually documented the extensive queues and the crowd gathered at the facility.