E-9 Visa in Korea (EPS): The Complete Practical Guide for 2026
- Route: EPS is a government-to-government (G2G) program — the only legal path for most non-professional foreign workers.
- Visa: E-9 (Non-professional Employment).
- Age: generally 18–39 (some countries cap at 38). Must pass EPS-TOPIK.
- Minimum wage 2026: 10,320 KRW/hour.
- Managed by: HRD Korea (한국산업인력공단) + Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labor, with your country's designated EPS body.
⚠️ Reference only, last updated 2026. Quotas, fees and figures change; some numbers below are indicative — always confirm the current figures at the official sources in section 11. Visa issuance is decided case-by-case by Korean immigration; this guide is information, not legal advice, and does not guarantee a job or a visa.
1. What is EPS and the E-9 visa?
The Employment Permit System (EPS) lets Korean employers who cannot find local staff hire foreign workers from partner countries, under agreements signed between the two governments (G2G). Workers enter on an E-9 (Non-professional Employment) visa and work in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and livestock, fishing, construction and some services.
Because it is government-run, there are no legitimate private "agents" who can get you in faster. Everyone goes through the same public process via their country's EPS body and HRD Korea. Anyone who promises to "arrange everything" for a large fee is a warning sign (see section 10).
2. Who can apply? (eligibility checklist)
- ☐ Age 18–39 at the time of application
- ☐ Passed EPS-TOPIK (the Korean-language test — see the EPS-TOPIK guide)
- ☐ Pass the health check, no infectious disease
- ☐ No criminal record
- ☐ No record of illegal stay / deportation from Korea and no entry ban
- ☐ Not restricted from leaving your own country
3. Which countries can send workers?
Korea signs EPS memoranda with a set of partner countries (17 as of 2026). Grouped by region:
| Region | EPS partner countries |
|---|---|
| Southeast Asia | Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Timor-Leste |
| South Asia | Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan |
| Central Asia | Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan |
| East Asia | Mongolia, China |
Registration and the exam are run by your own country's designated EPS agency together with HRD Korea. The exact list and each country's schedule can change — confirm at eps.go.kr.
4. The application process, step by step
- Learn Korean & register for EPS-TOPIK through your country's EPS body. Documents: passport, application form, photos.
- Pass EPS-TOPIK → take the skills test / health check where required.
- Submit your job application and enter the roster (jobseeker list) sent to Korea's EPS system.
- A Korean employer selects you and signs the standard labor contract. This wait can be a few months to over a year — it is normal.
- Receive the visa-issuance confirmation (CCVI) and apply for the E-9 visa at the Korean embassy.
- Pre-departure training in your country → fly to Korea.
- Post-arrival orientation (a few days) → register your residence (Alien Registration Card, within 90 days) → start work.
5. Wages, take-home pay and insurances
Minimum wage by year
| Year | Minimum wage (KRW/hour) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 9,860 |
| 2025 | 10,030 |
| 2026 | 10,320 |
The minimum wage is set each year — check the latest at moel.go.kr.
Estimate your monthly pay (worked example)
A common full-time month is about 209 hours. At the 2026 minimum wage:
10,320 KRW × 209 hours = 2,156,880 KRW/month (gross), before overtime.
Your take-home is lower after deductions. Use this template with the current rates:
Net ≈ Gross − national pension − health insurance − employment insurance − income tax − (housing/meals, if in your contract).
The four public-insurance rates are a small percentage each and change periodically; confirm current rates at nps.or.kr (pension) and nhis.or.kr (health). Overtime is paid at a premium over the base rate.
EPS foreign-worker insurances
Separate from the general national insurances, EPS has dedicated insurances for foreign workers:
| Insurance | Purpose | Typically paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Departure Guarantee (출국만기보험) | Severance-type payout on departure | Employer |
| Guarantee Insurance (보증보험) | Covers unpaid wages | Employer |
| Return Cost (귀국비용보험) | Airfare home | Worker |
| Casualty / Accident (상해보험) | Non-work injury/illness | Worker |
In addition, industrial-accident compensation insurance (산재보험) covers all workers for work-related injury from day one. See the wages & living guide for details.
6. Your rights as an E-9 worker
- You are covered by Korea's Labor Standards Act — the same core rights as Korean workers.
- Overtime is paid at a legal premium; there are limits on weekly working hours.
- You are entitled to paid annual leave and, generally, severance after a qualifying period.
- Unpaid wages can be reported to the labor authorities (hotline 1350).
- Housing/meal deductions must follow your contract and legal limits — read before you sign.
7. Can you change employer?
Yes, within limits set by EPS rules. In general, an E-9 worker may change workplace a limited number of times, and changes that are the employer's fault (e.g. business closure, unpaid wages, abuse) are usually not counted against you. There are time windows to file a request and to find a new workplace. Because the exact counts and windows change, confirm the current rules at hikorea.go.kr or the 1345 immigration hotline before acting.
8. Staying long-term: E-9 → E-7-4
After several years on E-9, eligible workers can apply to convert to the E-7-4 skilled-worker visa — you must apply before the 4-year-10-month E-9 maximum-stay limit, and you need enough points (commonly 200 of 300, with income and Korean-ability minimums), which allows long-term residence and bringing family. It uses a point system (income, Korean ability, work tenure, age, employer recommendation). See the E-9 → E-7-4 guide.
9. What changed in 2026?
- H-2 (Working Visit) was merged into F-4 from 12 Feb 2026 — this concerns ethnic Koreans and does not affect ordinary E-9 applicants.
- Seasonal work was reorganized under E-8, with longer permitted stays.
- E-9 sectors have been expanded in recent pilots (e.g. some service sectors). Confirm eligible sectors for the current round at eps.go.kr.
10. Scams and common mistakes
| Symptom | Cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Someone asks for a large "deposit" to guarantee a job | Broker scam — EPS has no guaranteed placement | Refuse. Only pay official fees with a receipt, via your country's EPS body. |
| "You can go without taking EPS-TOPIK" | Fraud — the exam is mandatory | Walk away; report to your EPS agency. |
| You passed the exam but have no job after months | Normal — passers exceed the quota; the employer chooses | Keep your roster status active; wait or improve your profile. It is not a scam by itself. |
| Asked to hand over your passport to an agent | High risk of trafficking/abuse | Never surrender your passport to a private individual. |
Jobs by sector: Manufacturing Jobs in Korea (E-9/EPS): The Complete 2026 Guide · Agriculture & Farm Jobs in Korea (E-9/EPS): 2026 Guide · Fishing Jobs in Korea (E-9/EPS): The Honest 2026 Guide · Construction Jobs in Korea (E-9/EPS): The Complete 2026 Guide
11. Where to verify everything (official sources)
| Topic | Official source |
|---|---|
| EPS process, exam, textbook | eps.go.kr (HRD Korea) |
| Visa & residence rules | hikorea.go.kr · immigration hotline 1345 |
| Wages, labor law, unpaid wages | moel.go.kr · labor hotline 1350 |
| Pension / health insurance | nps.or.kr · nhis.or.kr |
| In your country | Your national EPS sending agency |
FAQ
Is a job guaranteed if I pass EPS-TOPIK?
No. Passing only puts you on the roster; a Korean employer selects you, and passers usually exceed the quota.
How long does it take from passing to arriving in Korea?
It varies — from a few months to over a year, depending on employer demand and your sector.
Can I pay to skip the queue or the exam?
No. EPS is G2G; everyone follows the same process. "Pay to go fast" or "no exam" offers are scams.
What is the minimum wage in 2026?
10,320 KRW per hour (up from 10,030 in 2025). Actual pay depends on hours, overtime and deductions.
Can I bring my family on E-9?
E-9 itself does not allow family. The long-term route to bring family is conversion to E-7-4.
Can I change my workplace?
Yes, within EPS limits; employer-fault changes are usually not counted. Confirm the current rules at hikorea.go.kr.
Do E-9 workers get severance?
Generally yes after a qualifying period; the Departure Guarantee insurance is linked to this.
What if my employer doesn't pay me?
Report to the labor authorities (hotline 1350). Wage claims have a legal time limit, so act promptly.
Is EPS-TOPIK the same as regular TOPIK?
No — EPS-TOPIK is a separate exam for the EPS program. See the EPS-TOPIK guide.
Which countries can join EPS?
17 partner countries as of 2026 (see section 3); the list can change — check eps.go.kr.
Related guides: EPS-TOPIK · How to apply · Visa comparison · E-9 → E-7-4 · Wages & living · Find a job.
Official sources: EPS / HRD Korea, HiKorea, Ministry of Employment and Labor, National Pension, National Health Insurance. Information current as of 2026 and subject to change — verify before you act. After arriving in Korea, find jobs in English on 114114AI.