Mongolia
Korea Visa Guide
Mongolia is one of Korea's closest EPS (Employment Permit System) partner countries, making it a major source of E-9 workers in manufacturing, agriculture, and construction. Mongolian citizens enjoy 30-day visa-free entry to Korea and must apply for K-ETA before departure. With a growing population of ethnic Koreans (고려인) in Mongolia, H-2 Working Visit is also available for eligible applicants. Korea and Mongolia have deep cultural and economic ties, and Korean is now a popular language among Mongolian youth.
K-ETA required before departure
Mongolian passport holders can enter Korea visa-free for up to 30 days under the bilateral visa waiver agreement. However, K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorization) must be applied for online before boarding. Apply at least 72 hours in advance at the official K-ETA website. K-ETA is not required for E-9 EPS workers, who enter on their employment visa directly.
Visa-free stay
30 days (tourism/business)
K-ETA required?
Yes — apply before departure
EPS partner country?
Yes — one of the main EPS partners
E-2 treaty country?
No
Working Holiday eligible?
No (H-1 not available)
Mongolians in Korea
~50,000+ registered residents
EPS Worker
PopularMongolia is an official EPS partner country. Apply through the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea) via the Employment Permit System. Pass the EPS-TOPIK Korean language test and skills assessment to qualify.
Skilled Worker (Point System)
PopularExperienced E-9 workers in Korea can transition to E-7-4 status under the point-based system if they score 200+ on K-Point E74 (300 pts total). Allows more occupational flexibility than E-9.
Student
Study at a Korean university or language institute. Korean language programs (D-4) are popular with Mongolian students. Many universities offer scholarships via NIIED GKS and bilateral agreements.
Working Visit (ethnic Koreans)
Mongolians of Korean descent (고려인) may be eligible for the H-2 Working Visit visa, which allows a 3-year stay with broad work rights across non-professional sectors.
Marriage Migrant
Married to a Korean national? F-6 provides unrestricted work rights and leads to F-5 permanent residency. Mongolia has one of the highest F-6 application rates among Central Asian nationals.
Job Seeker / Startup
Mongolians already in Korea on other status who want to look for skilled employment or launch a business can apply for a D-10 visa for 6 months.
How do I apply for an E-9 visa from Mongolia?
The E-9 EPS process is managed by HRD Korea in partnership with the Mongolian Human Resources Development Centre. Steps: ① Pass the EPS-TOPIK Korean language test (offered in Mongolia annually) ② Register on the EPS system ③ Be selected by a Korean employer ④ Receive the Standard Labour Contract ⑤ Apply for an E-9 visa at the Korean Embassy in Ulaanbaatar. The entire process from test to visa typically takes 6–18 months. Check the HRD Korea EPS website (eps.hrdkorea.or.kr) for the current schedule.
Can I bring my family to Korea on an E-9 visa?
No. E-9 visa holders cannot bring family members to Korea. Spouses and children must remain in Mongolia or apply independently on their own eligible visa status (e.g., D-2 student visa). Once you transition to E-7-4 or F-2 status, family accompaniment becomes possible via F-3 (dependant) visas.
What is the 30-day visa-free limit, and can I extend it?
The 30-day visa-free entry for Mongolian citizens is a short-stay allowance for tourism and business. It cannot typically be extended from within Korea. If you need to stay longer — for work, study, or family reasons — you must obtain the appropriate visa before arrival, or in limited cases through an in-country status change (e.g., if you receive a job offer while in Korea on a short visit, your employer can apply for an E-7 on your behalf, but work cannot begin until the new visa is issued).
Is Korean language proficiency required for E-9?
Yes. All E-9 applicants must pass the EPS-TOPIK (Employment Permit System – Test of Proficiency in Korean), which tests basic Korean reading and listening comprehension. The test is offered at designated centres in Ulaanbaatar. A score above the minimum passing mark (published each year) is required to be registered in the EPS worker pool.
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