Work Visa — Korea
Korea Employment Permit System (EPS) — Complete Guide
The Employment Permit System (EPS, 고용허가제) is Korea’s government-to-government framework for recruiting non-professional foreign workers. It covers manufacturing, construction, agriculture, fisheries, and more across 17 partner countries.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Korean Licensed Administrative Attorney (행정사)Reg. No. 220-06-06463 · 대한행정사회Licensed Realtor · Korea
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed April 2026
Reviewed by licensed immigration attorneys on Expert Sapiens
Licensed Immigration AttorneysAILA Members
17
Partner countries
4yr 10mo
Max stay
80 / 200
Min EPS-TOPIK
33,000
E-7-4 quota (2025)
How the EPS Works
The EPS is a government-to-government (G2G) system — Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labor partners directly with designated agencies in each sending country. This eliminates private recruitment middlemen and protects workers from excessive fees.
Korean employers who cannot fill positions with Korean workers apply to their regional Employment and Labour office for permission to hire foreign workers. Once approved, they select candidates from the HRD Korea EPS roster. Workers are matched based on their skills, EPS-TOPIK score, and employer preference.
The E-9 visa is the legal status issued to workers hired through EPS. It is tied to the employer and sector — you cannot freely switch jobs or work in a different industry.
Eligible Sectors
| Sector | Korean | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 제조업 | Largest sector — electronics, auto parts, textiles, chemicals, food processing |
| Construction | 건설업 | 22 specific sub-trades listed (e.g. concrete, rebar, tiling, welding, scaffolding) |
| Agriculture | 농업 | Crop farming, greenhouses, livestock — seasonal and permanent roles |
| Livestock | 축산업 | Poultry, pig, cattle farming operations |
| Fisheries | 어업 | Sea fishing, aquaculture, fish processing |
| Forestry | 임업 | Timber, nursery, and forestry maintenance |
| Service | 서비스업 | Carwash, waste collection, freight delivery — select subsectors only |
| Domestic Services | 가사서비스업 | NEW 2024 — childcare and housekeeping; currently pilot program via Philippines and Indonesia |
EPS-TOPIK — Korean Language Test
The EPS-TOPIK (고용허가제 한국어능력시험) is a mandatory Korean language proficiency test for all EPS applicants. It is not the same as the general TOPIK — it is specifically designed for prospective workers and tests practical workplace Korean.
Level 1 (Basic)
80–139 / 200
Minimum passing score — eligible for EPS roster
Level 2 (Elementary)
140–199 / 200
Higher priority in employer matching; required for E-7-4 upgrade (TOPIK waiver until Dec 2026)
Level 3+
200 / 200 or higher skill test
Significant advantage in employer matching and K-Point scoring for E-7-4 and F-2-7
EPS-TOPIK test schedules are announced by HRD Korea and the sending country’s EPS agency. Free study materials are available at hrdkorea.or.kr. Scores are valid for 2 years from the test date.
Step-by-Step Application Process
1
Check eligibility
Confirm your nationality is one of the 17 EPS partner countries. Check your age and health status. Review whether your target sector (manufacturing, agriculture, etc.) is open for your country this year.
2
Register with your country's EPS agency
Visit the designated EPS agency in your country (e.g. POEA in the Philippines, DOLAB in Vietnam, DOFE in Nepal). Complete the registration form and pay any required domestic fees.
3
Pass the EPS-TOPIK test
The EPS-TOPIK (Employment Permit System — Test of Proficiency in Korean) is a paper-based multiple-choice test administered in your country. It tests basic Korean listening and reading at a practical working level. Minimum passing score: 80/200. Scores are valid for 2 years.
4
Submit application and join the roster
After passing EPS-TOPIK, submit your application with required documents (passport, health certificate, criminal background check) to your country's EPS agency. Your profile is added to the HRD Korea (Human Resources Development Korea) roster accessible by Korean employers.
5
Wait for employer selection
Korean employers with authorization to hire foreign workers browse the EPS roster and select candidates. Employers must be small/medium businesses (under 300 employees or under ₩8B capital) and must prove no suitable Korean workers are available. This waiting period can range from a few months to over a year depending on demand.
6
Complete pre-departure training
Once selected, complete the mandatory pre-departure orientation in your home country. Topics include Korean labor law, workplace safety, cultural adjustment, and your rights as a worker. Duration: 3–5 days.
7
Receive visa and enter Korea
Your Korean employer submits a Visa Issuance Confirmation (사증발급인정서) to immigration. The visa is issued at the Korean embassy in your country. Fly to Korea and present your documents at entry.
8
Complete in-Korea orientation training
Mandatory 15-day occupational safety and orientation training upon arrival, held at a designated HRD Korea training center. You begin work only after completing this training.
9
Register for ARC
Within 90 days of arrival, register at your local immigration office to receive your Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증). Bring your passport, employment contract, and health certificate.
EPS Partner Countries (17)
🇻🇳
Vietnam
Largest E-9 source countryDOLAB — Department of Overseas Labour
🇵🇭
Philippines
POEA — Philippine Overseas Employment Administration
🇹🇭
Thailand
DOE — Department of Employment
🇮🇩
Indonesia
BP2MI — National Agency for the Protection and Placement of Indonesian Overseas Workers
🇱🇰
Sri Lanka
SLBFE — Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment
🇨🇳
China
CCOIC — China Chamber of International Commerce
🇺🇿
Uzbekistan
EAMEA — External Labour Migration Agency
🇵🇰
Pakistan
OEP — Overseas Employment Promoters
🇰🇭
Cambodia
MOLVT — Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training
🇲🇳
Mongolia
MOLEG — Ministry of Labour and Social Protection
🇧🇩
Bangladesh
BOESL — Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Ltd
🇳🇵
Nepal
DOFE — Department of Foreign Employment
🇲🇲
Myanmar
DLM — Department of Labour
🇹🇱
East Timor
SEM — Secretariat of State for Employment and Vocational Training
🇱🇦
Laos
DOE — Department of Employment
🇰🇿
Kazakhstan
MHSD — Ministry of Health and Social Development
🇮🇳
India
NewMEA — Ministry of External Affairs (eMigrate system)
Added 2023
Worker Rights on E-9
Minimum wage
E-9 workers receive Korea's national minimum wage (₩9,860/hour in 2024, ₩10,030/hour in 2025). No lower rates for foreign workers.
Working hours
Maximum 52 hours/week (40 regular + 12 overtime). Overtime must be compensated at 1.5× rate.
Paid annual leave
1 year: 15 days. Each additional year: +1 day up to 25 days maximum.
Accommodation
Employers must provide accommodation or an accommodation allowance. Deductions from wages for accommodation are limited by law.
Industrial accident insurance
Mandatory enrollment in worker's compensation insurance from day 1 of employment.
Employment insurance
Mandatory — covers benefits if the employer terminates your contract without cause.
Workplace transfer rights
Transfer to a new employer is permitted under conditions: business closure, contract violation, injury, or end of contract.
Support center
Ministry of Employment and Labor EPS support center: 1350 (Korean) or via HRD Korea. Multilingual support available.
E-9 → E-7-4 Upgrade Pathway
After working in Korea on E-9, you may be eligible to upgrade to E-7-4 (숙련기능인력) — a higher-status work visa for skilled workers.
4+ years on E-9/E-10/H-2 in the past 10 years, currently at your registered employer
At your current employer for 1+ year
Annual salary ≥ ₩26M (₩25M for agriculture/fisheries)
Employer recommendation letter
Score ≥ 200/300 on the K-Point assessment
EPS-TOPIK Level 2+ Korean (waived until 31 Dec 2026)
2025 quota: 33,000 spots. Applications are submitted online via HiKorea year-round under a birth-year 5-day rotation system.
Key Restrictions to Know
No family dependents
E-9 holders cannot bring a spouse or children to Korea. Dependents must remain in the home country.
Employer-tied status
You are initially bound to your registered employer and sector. Unauthorized workplace changes can result in visa cancellation.
Max stay 4 years 10 months
After the maximum stay, you must leave Korea for at least 3 months before re-entering on a new E-9.
No direct consulate application
E-9 is not available through standard embassy applications — it can only be obtained through the EPS G2G system via HRD Korea.
Sector restrictions
You may only work in the sector listed on your visa. Working in a different industry (e.g. manufacturing worker doing retail) is an immigration violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I stay in Korea on an E-9 visa?
The initial E-9 stay is 3 years. If re-employed with your current or a new employer, you can extend for an additional 1 year and 10 months, for a maximum total of 4 years and 10 months. After this maximum, you must leave Korea for at least 3 months before re-entering on a new E-9.
Can I change employers on an E-9 visa?
E-9 workers are initially tied to their registered employer. However, you may request a workplace transfer under specific conditions: employer bankruptcy or closure, employer violation of the employment contract, serious workplace injury, employment contract expiry, or other circumstances recognized by the Ministry of Employment and Labor. Requests are processed through your local Employment and Labour office (고용센터).
Can I bring my family to Korea on an E-9 visa?
No. E-9 visa holders are not permitted to bring dependents (spouse or children) to Korea. This is a significant restriction compared to skilled worker visas.
Can I transition from E-9 to a better visa?
Yes — the E-7-4 (Points-based Skilled Worker) pathway is specifically designed for long-term E-9 workers. Requirements: 4+ years on E-9/E-10/H-2 in the past 10 years, currently employed at your registered employer (1+ year), annual salary ≥ ₩26M (₩25M for agriculture/fisheries), employer recommendation, and a score of 200+/300 on the K-Point assessment. The 2025 quota is 33,000 spots. Applications via HiKorea under a birth-year rotation system.
What is the EPS-TOPIK test like?
The EPS-TOPIK is a standardized paper-based test of Korean reading and listening at a basic functional level. It consists of multiple-choice questions about workplace situations, safety instructions, and simple conversations. The minimum passing score is 80 out of 200. Test dates are announced by HRD Korea and your country's EPS agency. Study materials are available free on the HRD Korea website.
Do I need to speak Korean to work in Korea on E-9?
You need to pass the EPS-TOPIK at the basic level (80/200 minimum), which tests practical workplace Korean. Full fluency is not required for most manufacturing and agriculture roles. However, higher TOPIK scores significantly improve your chances of employer selection and are required for the E-7-4 upgrade pathway.
What are my rights as an E-9 worker in Korea?
E-9 workers have the same labor rights as Korean workers under the Labor Standards Act — including minimum wage, maximum working hours (52 hours/week), paid annual leave, and protection from workplace accidents. Employers must provide accommodation or an accommodation allowance. The Ministry of Employment and Labor operates a support center (1350 helpline) with multilingual assistance.
Is India part of the EPS program?
Yes. India was added to the EPS program in late 2023, making it the 17th partner country. Indian workers can now apply through the eMigrate system managed by India's Ministry of External Affairs.
What is the new domestic worker (가사서비스) E-9 category?
Korea launched a pilot domestic worker program in 2024, initially with 100 Filipino and Indonesian workers for childcare and housekeeping roles in Seoul. Requirements differ from standard E-9: TESDA or equivalent childcare certification, age 24–38, and no dependents in Korea. The program is expected to expand in 2025–2026.