From the EPS-TOPIK Test to E-9 Employment at a Glance

EPS-TOPIK is not a general Korean language certificate. It is the first-round test to select foreign workers for Korea's Employment Permit System (EPS). Passing this test is the first gate on the path to coming to Korea on E-9 Non-professional Employment, but passing alone does not guarantee a job, a labor contract, a visa, or entry. This document organizes the entire process based on the latest 2026 standards, from eligibility and test structure to the skills test, and after passing, the jobseeker roster, labor contract, and E-9 entry.

1. Before You Start

Things to Know First

Even if you pass the test, you must pass all of the following: the skills test and job competency assessment, the health check-up, registration on the jobseeker roster, selection by a Korean employer, the Standard Labor Contract, pre-departure employment training, and visa screening. Also, application periods, recruitment quotas, cut-off scores, second-round tests, physical requirements, and required documents vary by country, year, and industry.

You must always check the EPS-TOPIK official schedule side by side with the notice for that test round from your home country's sending agency (the agency designated by your government to send workers).

1-Minute Summary

EPS-TOPIK is the Employment Permit System Korean language test administered by HRD Korea.
It is a different test from general TOPIK, the KIIP Korea Immigration and Integration Program, and King Sejong Institute certificates.
The standard age to take the test is age 18 to 39, and notices by country may set a narrower range.
A deportation history, a serious criminal record, departure restrictions, or staying for 5 years or more in total on E-9 and E-10 visas can be reasons for disqualification.
According to the official test page, the 2026 regular EPS-TOPIK has 20 reading questions for 50 points + 20 listening questions for 50 points, for a total of 40 questions, 100 points, and 50 minutes.
There is no fixed nationwide passing score for the regular test. It is a relative evaluation that selects candidates in order of highest scores within the planned number of people to be selected, among those who score at or above the minimum score for each industry.
Special EPS-TOPIK for workers who voluntarily returned in the past uses a separate 200-point system, and selects candidates who score 120 points or higher in order of each country's quota (assigned number of people).
Those who pass the first round generally go through the skills test, which consists of physical fitness, interview, and basic skills, as well as evaluations of work experience, training, education, and credentials.
The official base test fee is 28 US dollars, and the actual payment amount, currency, and payment method follow the notice for each country.
On June 22, 2026, 'NEW Standard Korean Textbook 2' was revised. People who have the older file must download the latest edition again.
On August 26, 2026, the official color vision self-check service opened, but it does not replace a medical diagnosis or an official determination.
On August 14, 2026, Kazakhstan was designated as the 18th EPS sending country. However, actual worker entry is scheduled to start in 2028, so this does not mean you can apply for the test right away in 2026.

Differences Between EPS, EPS-TOPIK, TOPIK, and E-9

Term	Meaning	Do You Get It Just by Passing the Test?
EPS	The Employment Permit System that selects and hires E-9 foreign workers through government-to-government public procedures	No
EPS-TOPIK	The Korean language test used to select EPS jobseekers	You only obtain the test result
Skills test and job competency assessment	Evaluation of physical fitness, interview, and basic skills, plus experience, training, education, and credentials	Evaluated separately after passing the first round
Jobseeker roster	A roster of final selected candidates registered so they can be referred to Korean employers	Requires additional procedures after passing the test
E-9	Status of stay for working in permitted non-professional job types in Korea	Requires a contract, employment permit, and visa screening
TOPIK	General Korean language proficiency test by the National Institute for International Education, using a Level 1 to 6 system	Does not substitute for EPS-TOPIK

A high score on EPS-TOPIK can increase your job opportunities, but it does not automatically give you a TOPIK level for university admission or a general Korean certificate. Conversely, even if you hold an advanced TOPIK level, it cannot replace EPS-TOPIK unless the notice for that test round explicitly states an exemption.

The Most Important Recent Changes for 2026

The Regular Test Uses a 100-Point System

The EPS-TOPIK Test Overview currently explains that the regular test has 40 questions and 100 points in total. Some EPS general guide pages and older blogs still mention "80 out of 200 points", but you must not use that for the 2026 regular test standards.

Special EPS-TOPIK is still 200 points. It is important not to confuse the regular 100 points with the special 200 points.

Revisions to NEW Standard Textbook 2

According to official notices, on June 22, 2026, some dialogues and study materials in Lesson 33, Workplace Relationships, of 'NEW Standard Korean Textbook 2: Workplace Korean' were deleted. If you saved older PDF or MP3 files, replace them with the latest files.

Changes to Second-Round Interview Materials

The official notice on March 6, 2026 announced interview changes and reference material updates for the foreign worker points system second-round test. Give priority to the current skills test page and the attached materials for that test round over past YouTube videos.

Self-Competency and Color Vision Check Tools

March 27, 2026: Information on the advanced self-competency diagnostic tool for foreign workers
August 26, 2026: Launch of the EPS-TOPIK color vision self-check service

Both services are tools to help your preparation. In particular, the color vision self-check does not replace a medical examination or an official passing decision.

Expansion to 18 Sending Countries

According to the Office for Government Policy Coordination August 14, 2026 Foreign Workforce Policy Committee announcement, Kazakhstan was designated as the 18th sending country. However, following government-to-government MOUs and the establishment of a local EPS Center, actual workforce entry is scheduled to begin in earnest in 2028.

Overall Flow

Check your home country government notice.
Register for EPS-TOPIK.
Take the first-round Korean language test.
Take the second-round skills test and job competency assessment.
Pass the final selection.
Get a health check-up and submit a job seeking application.
Get registered on the jobseeker roster.
A Korean employer selects you.
Sign a Standard Labor Contract.
Complete pre-departure employment training.
Receive an E-9 visa.
Enter Korea, complete 16 hours or more of employment training, and get assigned to a workplace.

Each step does not happen automatically. You may fail or wait depending on documents, timelines, health, and employer demand.

2. Who Can Apply

Which Countries' Nationals Can Take the Test?

As of August 28, 2026, there are 17 existing sending countries already operating.

Philippines, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia
Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Cambodia, China, Bangladesh
Kyrgyzstan, Timor-Leste, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, Tajikistan

Kazakhstan was designated as the 18th sending country on August 14, 2026, but worker entry is scheduled to start in 2028.

Even if you are a citizen of a sending country, you cannot take the test at any time. A test round must open for the industry, quota, and region decided by Korea and your country, and you must meet the nationality, residency, and passport requirements of your home government sending agency. Not all countries recruit for all industries every year.

Who Can Take the Test?

The current common standards from HRD Korea are set as follows.

Both men and women aged 18 or older and 39 or younger
Must have no criminal record
Must have no history of deportation from the Republic of Korea
Must have no immigration disqualifications, such as departure restrictions from your home country
Must not have stayed for 5 years or more on an E-9 visa
Must not have stayed for 5 years or more on an E-10 visa
Must not have stayed for 5 years or more combined on E-9 and E-10 visas

The EPS general guide explains the criminal record standard as "imprisonment or a heavier punishment". The recruitment notice for each country sets the actual scope of the criminal record certificate, how suspended sentences, pardons, and expunged records are handled, and the inquiry period.

Age Differences for the Philippines and by Country

HRD Korea's common page states age 18 to 39, but the EPS employment procedure page lists age 18 to 38 separately for the Philippines. Because a country notice may be narrower than the official common page, use the start and end dates for date of birth in the notice for that test round as your final standard.

What Is the Reference Date for Age?

Each test round specifies whether it uses the application start date, application deadline, or a reference date set by the notice. Do not simply calculate "I am 39 this year", but compare the allowed date of birth range in the notice with the date of birth in your passport.

Disqualifications to Check Before Applying

A mismatch between the name, date of birth, or gender in your passport and the application information
Application submitted by another person during a test round where proxy application is banned
Submitting false work experience, education, or credentials
A record of deportation, departure order, or entry ban from the Republic of Korea
Restrictions from your home country such as departure bans, criminal proceedings, or military service obligations
Exceeding the total allowed period of stay for E-9 and E-10 visas
Failing to meet recruitment requirements for that country, industry, age, gender, or region
Retaking the test during a penalty period for cheating on a previous EPS test
Failing to meet the voluntary return requirement or same-industry requirement for the special test

Just because the application system accepted your application does not mean your final eligibility is approved. If a disqualification is found in a later background check, your score may be invalidated.

Which Industries Can You Apply For?

Available fields vary by test round.

Manufacturing
Construction
Agriculture and livestock
Fisheries
Service industry I and II
Forestry
Mining
Other detailed job types permitted by the government for E-9 visas that year

Industries you can apply for differ by country, and once you choose an industry, it is difficult to change it freely after the test. Do not choose based only on competition rates. Look at the actual working environment, physical requirements, work experience, skills test tasks, and the jobs you may be assigned to in Korea.

3. Regular Test Format and Passing Rules

Regular EPS-TOPIK Test Structure

Section	Questions	Points	Time	Main Content
Reading	20	50 points	25 minutes	Vocabulary and grammar, pictures and situations, signs and data, explanatory texts, work and safety information
Listening	20	50 points	25 minutes	Sounds, words, and numbers, pictures, daily and workplace conversations, stories, occupational safety
Total	40	100 points	50 minutes	Mainly multiple choice with 4 options

The official evaluation content is basic communication for living in Korea, Korean for industrial workplaces, Korean workplace culture, and understanding occupational safety and health.

What Appears in Reading

Choosing the right sentence for an object or situation
Choosing the right vocabulary or grammar for a blank
Understanding signs for traffic, directions, and occupational safety
Reading job advertisements, work orders, machine instructions, and daily life guides
Understanding texts related to Korean culture and workplace life

What Appears in Listening

Distinguishing words, sentences, numbers, and linked sounds
Choosing the right explanation for a photo or picture
Choosing the next line in daily and workplace conversations
Understanding conversations about work orders and occupational safety
Grasping specific details and the overall context of conversations and stories

Passing Standards for the Regular Test

As of 2026, the official test page explains a two-step process.

You must get at least the minimum score set for each industry.
First-round passing candidates are selected in order of highest score, within the planned number of people to be recruited or selected.

Therefore, there is no nationwide fixed score such as "60 points is an unconditional pass" or "80 points is the cut-off score." Even with the same score, your result differs depending on the recruitment quota and score distribution of test takers for your country, industry, and test round.

Check the announcement for your country for tie-breaker rules, minimum scores by section, and selection multiples. Your goal is to get the highest score possible, not a rumored cut-off score.

Differences Between CBT, PBT, and UBT

Format	Meaning	What the Test Taker Must Check
CBT	Computer-based test	Using a mouse, screen, and headset, and getting used to the test room computer
PBT	Paper-based test using paper test papers and answer sheets	Tools for marking answers, correction rules, and collection of test sheets
UBT	Tablet and mobile device-based test	Touch input, headset, and screen transition methods

The general test schedule page lists CBT and PBT, and the special test specifies CBT and UBT formats. The actual format follows the type stated in the notice for your country, center, and test round.

Even if the test format differs, verifying your name, passport number, and test registration number, avoiding cheating, and arriving before the room entry deadline apply in the same way.

4. Second-Round Skills Test and Selection

Second-Round Skills Test and Points System Selection

In regular points system rounds, people who pass the first-round EPS-TOPIK take the second-round skills test. The point allocation for general industries is shown on the Official Skills Test Guide as follows:

Component	Points
First-round EPS-TOPIK	100 points
Second-round skills test	100 points
Job competency assessment bonus points	Up to 5 points
Total score	Up to 205 points

If the notice for your country or industry sets a different point allocation or passing method, that notice comes first.

Skills Test Structure

Physical fitness test
Interview
Basic skills

Tasks may be chosen at random for each test round. There is an interview change notice dated March 6, 2026, so do not just memorize old videos.

Physical Fitness Test

The common muscle strength items are grip strength and back strength (배근력, baegeunryeok). Cardiorespiratory and whole-body fitness tasks may be selected for each round from items like burpee tests, moving equipment, or pushing a handcart.

Points to Prepare

Prepare gradually without injury instead of suddenly starting high-intensity training
Check the test posture, number of repetitions, time limits, and disqualification conditions in the video for that test round
Check the rules for athletic shoes, clothing, and protective equipment
Check with medical staff whether you can exercise if you have pain, cardiovascular conditions, or musculoskeletal disorders
Practice correct posture and understanding instructions together instead of just building up body size

Interview

The official evaluation items include the following:

Self-introduction and attitude
Basic conversation and actions
Tool use and the ability to follow work instructions
NCS vocational basic abilities
Safety awareness

Rather than memorizing full sentences, it is important to practice stating your name, work experience, applied industry, and safety rules briefly and accurately, and understanding and following the examiner's instructions. If false work experience or memorized answers conflict with your documents, the credibility of your job competency materials may also decrease.

Examples of Basic Skills by Industry

Industry	Representative Task Examples from the Official Page
Common	Inserting pins
Manufacturing and Service I	Joining joints, measuring and cutting, pipe bolting, grinding, packaging, pallet loading
Agriculture and livestock	Brush cutter, sowing seeds, fence installation, packaging, measuring and mixing, handcart
Construction	Rebar assembly, scaffold assembly and disassembly, grinding, pipe bolting, connecting electric wires
Fisheries	Rope arranging and knotting, sorting catch, handcart
Service II	Organizing cooking utensils, sorting and loading goods, setting up room management carts
Mining	Brush cutter, pipe bolting, connecting electric wires
Forestry	Brush cutter, measuring and cutting, knotting, pipe bolting

The list of tasks may differ in actual test rounds. Prepare based on the sequence, safety rules, and disqualification conditions in the official study materials.

Job Competency Assessment Bonus Points

General industries evaluate related work experience, training, education, and credentials for up to 5 points.

Item	Representative Requirement under General Standards	Maximum Score
Related work experience	1 year or more in a job in that industry	2 points
Vocational training	120 hours or more of related training	1 point
Related education	Associate degree or higher in a related major	1 point
Related credential	Industry-related credential recognized by that country	1 point

The current official page states that it covers national technical qualifications related to the applied industry, but credentials obtained abroad are not recognized. Check the notice for that test round for the types of Republic of Korea national qualifications actually recognized and how to prove them. Materials unrelated to the applied industry are also not recognized, such as driver's licenses, general language test scores, unrelated professional licenses like doctors or lawyers, and cooking or beauty care certificates.

Work experience in sales, accounting, human resources, general administration, and simple service is also not recognized as technical experience for manufacturing, construction, agriculture and livestock, or fisheries. However, work experience may be considered if it is directly linked to the work, such as experience actually conducting technical or skills training.

The official page shows 1 extra point for people who worked in Korea for more than 5 months under E-8 seasonal work. Check the recruitment notice for applicable test rounds and proof methods.

Special Exception for Fisheries Evaluation

The skills test page shows a different structure from general industries for people eligible for the Special Exception for Fisheries.

First round: Pass or fail format instead of scores
Second-round skills test: 110 points
Job competency assessment: Up to 90 points
Total score: 200 points

A standard of 6 months or more is shown for related work experience, and point allocations for experience, training, education, and credentials are also larger than for general industries. It applies only when the recruitment notice designates it as 'Special Exception for Fisheries'. It is not a general fisheries test that anyone can choose.

5. Special EPS-TOPIK and Physical Requirements

Special EPS-TOPIK

Purpose

This test is for skilled workers who returned voluntarily within their period of stay after working legally in Korea. It is a separately created test to support their re-employment and reduce unlawful stay.

Main Target Group

Foreign workers subject to re-employment who departed voluntarily within their period of stay after January 1, 2010
Including certain individuals with G-1 status who voluntarily departed within their period of stay
People aged 18 to 39 who meet the requirements regarding criminal records, deportation, departure restrictions, and combined E-9 and E-10 stay periods

If it is confirmed that the departure was not voluntary, the test becomes invalid regardless of your score.

You may become eligible for designated referral (지정알선, jijeong alseon, a referral linking you to your previous workplace) if you worked for more than 1 year at your last workplace and applied for and passed the special test in the same industry as your last job. This also does not guarantee re-employment by your previous employer or entry into Korea.

Test Structure

Section	Questions	Points	Time
Reading	20	100 points	25 minutes
Listening	20	100 points	25 minutes
Total	40	200 points	50 minutes

Reading for manufacturing consists of 8 job-related questions and 12 common questions, and other industries are listed as 20 common questions. The test format is CBT or UBT.

Passing

Candidates are selected from among those scoring 120 points or more out of 200 points, within the quota allocated to each country. The quota for each country is determined every year based on factors such as designated referral numbers for the special test and applicant ratios.

The official page lists bonus points for completing return support training, departing after seasonal work, or working for a domestic returning company while holding regular TOPIK Level 3 or higher. However, check the notice for that special test for eligible candidates, scores, and required certificates.

Color Vision, Health Check-up, and Physical Requirements

Color Vision Self-Check

HRD Korea launched a color vision self-check system on August 26, 2026 for checking before the test. The result is for reference only and does not replace a medical or official diagnosis.

On the common eligibility page, color weakness and color blindness are not listed as blanket disqualifications for the test. However, standards for performing job functions by industry, safety, and health check-ups may apply separately, so check the notice for your country and industry.

Health Check-up

Under the EPS employment process, job seeking applications are accepted from those who pass the health check-up after Korean language and skills selection. Test items, designated hospitals, re-examinations, and standards for pregnancy, infectious diseases, drugs, musculoskeletal conditions, vision, and hearing follow the notices of the sending country and each industry.

If you do not pass the health check-up, you may not be placed on the jobseeker roster even if you passed the test. Trying to alter results with fake medical certificates from brokers or with drugs puts both your health and entry into Korea at risk.

6. Registration and Test Day

Where to Apply

In principle, you use the sending agency designated by your government or the official application system announced by that agency. The List of EPS-TOPIK Application Agencies by Country may change, so verify addresses and phone numbers again in the latest notice in your country.

The application method is one of these three:

Visiting a designated application center in person
Selecting a test and center on the official online application website and entering personal information
Following separate pre-registration, lottery, or payment procedures set by your sending agency

HRD Korea's general guide for in-person application explains individual application in person, prohibitions on application by proxy or group, and the possibility of early closing when capacity is reached. However, not all countries use first-come-first-served in-person application, so local notices take priority.

Documents to Prepare for Application

Basic

A valid passport or a national identity card permitted for that test round
A front-facing passport photo without a hat taken within the last 6 months, standard size 3.5×4.5cm
An application form and your own signature
A mobile phone number and email address where you can be reached
Information on your choice of applied industry and region
A payment method for the test fee

Points Materials

A certificate of career experience and evidence of employer, duties, and period
A certificate of vocational training completion with total training hours and course content
A graduation certificate, academic transcripts, and major-related documents
Related national qualifications
Required translation, notarization, and consular verification

Check your English name, date of birth, gender, and passport number against your passport character by character. The official application guide warns that if your information differs from your passport, your entry may be restricted regardless of your test results.

Test Fee and Refunds

The official general registration fee is 28 US dollars. In your country, the local currency amount based on the exchange rate on the announcement date, plus fees for designated banks or electronic payments, may apply.

The official refund guide states four main principles.

You can get a full refund if you cancel during the registration period.
Applicants who are found to be disqualified after the registration period ends may not receive a refund.
In some countries, the sending agency handles cancellations and refunds on your behalf.
Missing the test, arriving late, ID mismatches, and cheating are handled differently from regular cancellations.

The actual refund deadline and payment method depend on the notice for that test round. Separate the test fee from sending procedure costs, and keep your official receipts.

How to Check the Schedule

Find your country, industry, and city on the EPS-TOPIK Schedule page.
Check whether the registration period, test period, and result announcement date are 'Undecided' or confirmed.
Check your individual test date, test round, and test center in 'Announcement of Test Date'.
Check the local time, payment, passport details, and the planned number of people to be selected in your sending agency announcement.
Check again the day before the test. The official schedule page also states that schedules can change.

Because schedules by country change constantly, this document does not fix the entire schedule. The official schedule page on the day of registration is the standard.

Test Day

What You Must Bring

A printed copy or the official app version of your admission ticket (수험표, suheompyo)
The original passport or ID card you used for registration
The writing tools and required items specified in the announcement
A travel plan that checks your test center, classroom, and entry deadline

Things to Watch Out For

Entry after the designated time may be restricted.
Your application photo, your current face, and your ID information must match.
Do not bring electronic devices into the test room or turn them on, such as mobile phones, smartwatches, earphones, electronic dictionaries, and recorders.
If the notice for that test round states that biometric verification like fingerprints or photos will be conducted, cooperate with the proctor's identity verification process.
If there is an audio or headset problem during CBT or UBT, report it immediately before the test begins.
Do not talk to other test-takers or look at their screens or answer sheets.

Announcements in each country may set different rules for allowed items and storage methods.

Cheating and Sanctions

The Official EPS-TOPIK Cheating Guide states that you are banned from taking the test for 4 years from the time of cheating.

These are typical examples of cheating.

Communicating with other test-takers during the test
Exchanging answer sheets, looking at another person's answers, or passing answers to others
Possessing, using, or exchanging materials or notes related to the test questions
Solving questions with help from another person
Switching names or test registration numbers
Taking the test on someone else's behalf
Possessing or using a mobile phone
Forging an ID card or admission ticket
Any other improper test behavior

Some official application guides still show the older "2-year restriction" wording, but this document follows the "4-year" standard from the current separate sanctions page. If the notice for that test round sets more specific sanctions, those apply as well.

You can report organized cheating using the official report form and cleaneps@hrdkorea.or.kr. Simple complaints or slander without evidence are not accepted as reports.

7. From Results to Entering Korea

Checking Results and Filing an Objection

Check the EPS-TOPIK Passing Results Lookup page or the official announcement from your sending agency.

These are the items to check here.

Your first-round EPS-TOPIK score and passing status
The date and location for your second-round test
Your scores for the skills test and job competency assessment
Your final pass status and schedule for the job seeking application
Any errors in your name, date of birth, or passport number

Taking a screenshot of the results screen alone does not complete the next steps. You must complete your health check-up, original document verification, and job seeking application within the designated period.

If you suspect an error in computer data, identity, or scores, do not post personal information on social media. Instead, use the objection period in the notice for that test round and the official contact window of your sending agency. Even if you ask for correct answers or questions to be released, questions from the private question bank may not be disclosed.

How Long Passing Stays Valid

The official EPS employment procedure page states that EPS-TOPIK passing is valid for 2 years from the date results are announced. However, the following are separate matters:

Passing the first round and final points system passing
The validity period of your health check-up
The validity period of your criminal record certificate and passport
The registration period on the jobseeker roster
The validity period of your labor contract and E-9 visa

Employment is not guaranteed during those 2 years. If you are not selected by an employer, or if your roster registration or documents expire, you may need to register again or retake the test.

Health Check-up and Job Seeking Application After Passing

Among final passers of the Korean language and skills assessments, those who pass the health check-up submit a job seeking application. The sending agency creates the jobseeker roster. HRD Korea checks and certifies basic requirements, and provides the roster to Korean employers.

Information to Prepare

Passport and contact information
Desired industry, job type, and region
Education, work experience, qualifications, and training
Physical condition and skills assessment results
Health check-up and criminal record
Family and emergency contact information
Agreement to Korean working conditions

Registration on the jobseeker roster is not an employment permit or a labor contract. A Korean employer must receive a referral from the government employment center and select a candidate.

Employer Selection and the Standard Labor Contract

Korean employers complete efforts to recruit local workers and finish the employment permit process, then select workers from the certified jobseeker roster. An agency acting on behalf of the employer sends the Standard Labor Contract to the sending agency, and the sending agency explains the contents to the worker and checks their agreement.

What to Check Before Signing

The employer's corporate name, workplace name, and address
The E-9 industry and actual job duties
The contract period and work start date
Wages, payment date, and calculation method
Working hours, rest periods, holidays, and overtime, night, and holiday work
Probation period
Accommodation location, type, cost, and salary deductions
Who pays for meals, transportation, work clothes, and tools
Insurance and return travel costs
Conditions for contract termination and workplace change

Do not sign a blank contract or an unexplained contract just because you do not know Korean. Keep a copy together with the explanation materials in your own language.

Test Scores Do Not Determine Wages

A high EPS-TOPIK score does not automatically increase your wages or assign you to a better region or company. Conversely, employers cannot arbitrarily deduct test fees or referral fees from your salary.

Probation Period

The official EPS page states that a probation period of up to 3 months can be included in the Standard Labor Contract. The probation period is included in your period of continuous service, and rights under the Labor Standards Act apply.

A 10% reduction of the minimum wage does not automatically apply to all probationary workers. Conditions under the Minimum Wage Act must be met, such as a labor contract of 1 year or more and the exclusion of simple labor jobs, so ask the Ministry of Employment and Labor 1350 about your contract job duties and the latest laws. The claim that "E-9 workers unconditionally get 90% for the first 3 months" is inaccurate.

Pre-departure Training, the E-9 Visa, and Entry

A person who signs a Standard Labor Contract receives pre-departure employment training in the sending country, generally lasting 1 to 2.5 weeks. Training hours can vary depending on Korean language test results, the country, probation status, and other factors.

After pre-departure training ends, six steps remain.

You receive an E-9 Non-professional Employment visa from a Korean diplomatic mission abroad.
You prepare your flight, insurance, and departure following the guidance of the sending agency.
You enter Korea as a group or through a designated method.
After immigration inspection at entry, you are transferred to an employment training institution.
You complete employment training in Korea of 16 hours over 3 days and 2 nights or more.
Your employer picks you up and places you at the workplace.

Even if you have passed the test, are on the roster, and have a contract, you cannot enter Korea if a disqualification is found during visa screening or immigration inspection at entry.

Basic Rights When Working on E-9

After entering Korea, EPS-TOPIK passers are protected by labor laws just like other workers.

A written labor contract and pay slip
Minimum wage
Working hours, rest periods, holidays, and statutory allowances
Industrial accident compensation
Reporting unpaid wages
Protection from assault, confinement, and confiscation of your passport
Prohibition of unfair discrimination based on nationality

The minimum wage in 2026 is 10,320 KRW per hour. The daily wage for 8 hours is 82,560 KRW, and the monthly amount converted at 209 hours is 2,156,880 KRW. Your actual monthly salary varies based on working hours, allowances, and deductions. Source: Minimum Wage Commission

Workplace Change

In principle, E-9 workers must continue working at their initial workplace. But you can apply for a workplace change if there are legal grounds such as temporary shutdown or closure, unpaid wages, assault or human rights violations, worsened working conditions, or contract termination by the employer. Do not use private brokers who charge money to arrange a workplace change; contact your local employment center and 1350 instead.

8. Study Strategy

Official Textbooks

There are three core up-to-date materials to download from the EPS-TOPIK Official Textbook Download page.

"NEW Standard Korean Textbook 1: Daily Life Korean"
"NEW Standard Korean Textbook 2: Workplace Korean"
Listening MP3 files for Textbooks 1 and 2

The official page lists these as the 2024 revised edition, and revised Lesson 33 of Textbook 2 again on June 22, 2026. Therefore, even if the file name says 2024, do not throw it away as outdated material, and check whether it is the latest version uploaded in 2026.

Structure of the Textbooks

Vocabulary and expressions learned with pictures
Grammar and dialogues
Dialogue and situation practice
Information on Korean culture, daily life, and work environments
EPS-TOPIK practice questions

The official website also provides self-study textbooks and e-books in your own language, but you should base your final study direction for the regular test on the NEW Standard Korean Textbook and the current testing module.

The Open Test Is Not the Real Question Bank

The Open Test Guide provides samples to practice question types and difficulty levels for reading and listening.

These are reading and listening practice materials in a format similar to the real test.
Listening MP3 files are provided.
Since 2013, real questions have been set privately based on the standard textbooks.
The public sample questions do not appear on the real test as they are.

Do not trust anyone selling "real questions for this test" or a "leaked copy of the secret question bank." Official questions are private, and possessing or using leaked materials can also be considered cheating.

Effective Study Methods

Stage 1: Hangul and Numbers

Vowels and consonants, final consonants, and liaison rules
Time, dates, money, quantities, and phone numbers
Work dimensions and units of measurement
Directions, locations, and order

Stage 2: Daily Life Korean

Greetings, transportation, hospitals, banks, markets, and accommodation
Asking for favors, asking for permission, prohibitions, and giving reasons
Basic tenses and connecting verb endings
Reading short notices

Stage 3: Workplace Life and Safety

Tools, machines, materials, and work actions
Personal protective equipment and safety signs
Reporting hazards, accidents, and emergency situations
Working hours, wages, leave, and contracts
Checking work instructions from supervisors

Stage 4: Time-Limited Practice

Solving 20 reading questions within 25 minutes
Maintaining focus during 25 minutes of listening
Not spending too much time on questions you do not know
Practicing selecting answers on CBT and UBT screens

Stage 5: Preparing for the Second Round

Repeatedly watching official videos of skills tasks for your chosen industry
Practicing safe posture and exact sequences
Short self-introductions, work experience, and safety answers
Gradual training of grip strength, back strength, and cardiovascular fitness
Organizing original documents for work experience, training, education, and qualifications

8-Week Study Example

Week	Korean	Listening and Reading	Skills and Documents
1	Hangul, pronunciation, numbers	Short words, signs	Checking application industry and eligibility
2	Basic grammar, daily vocabulary	Picture questions	Checking passport information and certificates
3	Daily life situations	Short conversations, notices	Basic physical fitness measurement
4	Work vocabulary	Work instructions, safety signs	Learning skill task movements
5	Workplace conversations	Job postings, machine guides	Interview self-introduction
6	Reviewing weak grammar	25-minute mock test by section	Checking translations of experience and training
7	Full review	50-minute real mock test	Skills test mock practice
8	Reviewing incorrect answers, sleep management	Final check of official samples	Checking test venue and required items

Consistency in practicing listening, reading, speaking, and skills every day is more important than daily study hours.

Common Mistakes

Studying only general TOPIK textbooks and missing occupational safety and workplace vocabulary
Still understanding the regular test as having 200 points
Applying the 120-point standard of the special test to the general test
Mistaking passing the first-round Korean test for final passing
Choosing an industry with no experience only by looking at the competition rate
Entering an English name that is different from your passport
Continuing to use the old edition of Standard Textbook 2
Believing that real exam questions will appear if you memorize the Open Test
Practicing only physical fitness in the second round and not preparing for the interview and basic skills
Having career certificates that do not state actual job duties
Checking only the registration date and not rechecking your individual test date and center
Missing the deadlines for health check-up and job seeking application after passing

9. Safety and Official Checks

Preventing Scam and Broker Damage

EPS is a system operated through government-to-government MOUs and public sending agencies.
Private individuals cannot guarantee passing the test, the jobseeker roster, employer selection, or an E-9 visa for money.
Anyone outside Korean employment centers is restricted from getting involved in the selection, referral, and hiring of E-9 workers.
Suspect a scam if someone promises leaked exam questions, score manipulation, passing physical exams, employer designation, or fast entry.
Pay only official fees and sending agency notice costs into designated accounts.
Do not send large amounts of money to personal accounts, in cash, or in crypto assets.
Do not leave your original passport, OTP, bank card, and login password with brokers.
Check the employer name, industry, and address in your EPS progress status before signing a contract.
Do not create false career, criminal record, or health documents.

Examples of Judgment by Situation

First-time test taker with TOPIK Level 4

Your Korean language proficiency is helpful, but it does not automatically exempt you from the regular EPS-TOPIK. Apply according to your country and industry notice.

Person turning 39 this year

Check the reference date and allowed date of birth range in the notice. Do not judge based only on the fact that you are 39 on the registration date.

Person who stayed in Korea on E-9 for 4 years and E-10 for 1 year

You may be subject to the combined 5-year limit. Ask your national sending agency and HRD Korea about immigration records and period of stay calculations.

Person who scored 82 points on the regular test

You cannot judge by score alone because there is no fixed cut-off score. Wait for the minimum score and your rank within the planned number of people to be selected for your country and industry.

Person who returned voluntarily before previous E-9 expired

Check whether you are eligible for Special EPS-TOPIK as well as the general test. The requirements of over 1 year at your last workplace and the same industry are linked to designated referral.

Person with an issue on the color vision self-check

Do not give up on applying or assume you passed based only on the self-check. Check at a medical institution and inquire with your sending agency about the health standards for your industry and test round.

If a broker offers to assign an employer after passing the test

Do not send money. Use only the official jobseeker roster and referral and employer selection by Korean employment centers.

Kazakhstani national

The designation as a sending country is complete, but full introduction is scheduled for 2028. Do not pay registration fees to unauthorized agencies before local EPS centers, MOUs, and test notices open.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get an E-9 visa if I pass EPS-TOPIK?

No. The second-round assessment, health check-up, jobseeker roster, employer selection, contract, training, and visa screening still remain.

What is the maximum score for the regular test?

As of 2026, it is 100 points based on the official test page. Reading is 50 points, and listening is 50 points. The special test is a separate 200 points.

What is the general cut-off score?

There is no common fixed score. It is determined in order of highest scores within the planned number of people to be selected among those above the minimum score by industry.

How much is the test fee?

The official base amount is 28 US dollars. Actual local currency amounts and payment fees are stated in the notice for each country.

Can I take the test in Korea?

In principle, the general new EPS-TOPIK is administered in official test rounds and test centers in sending countries. It is not a general Korean language test where domestic stayers can freely choose test venues in Korea.

Can I take the test in English?

Because it evaluates Korean language proficiency, the core language of questions and listening is Korean. Instructions and study materials may have native language and English support.

Can I apply for multiple industries at the same time?

You must follow the choice range set by the notice for that test round. Generally, you register by designating an industry, and changing it freely after the test is difficult.

Do exam questions appear exactly as they are in the official textbook?

They do not appear as they are. Actual questions are written privately based on the standard textbook, and the Open Test is for question type practice.

If the passing validity is 2 years, will I definitely get a job within 2 years?

No. Validity and a job guarantee are different things. Employer demand and separate validity periods for the roster and documents apply.

If I fail the skills test, can I register for job seeking with only my Korean language score?

It is difficult if it is a points system test round where the second round is mandatory. You must meet the final passing conditions of that test round.

If I have color weakness, am I completely unable to take the test?

It is not listed as a blanket disqualification on the common eligibility page. Check industry-specific skill and health standards, and use the official self-check only for reference.

Official Ways to Check

Content to Check	Official Page	How to Use
Regular test eligibility, 100-point structure, selection	EPS-TOPIK Test Overview	Highest priority standard for the 2026 regular test
Reading and listening testing modules	Testing Module	Checking question types, occupational safety, and workplace culture
Schedule by country and industry	Schedule	Real-time check of registration, test, and announcement dates
Registration locations	Information Office	Cross-checking national sending agencies and rechecking local notices
Test fees and in-person registration	Registration by Visiting	28 dollars, photo, and in-person registration principle
Online registration	Registration by Online	Procedures for test, center, personal information, and admission ticket
Refunds	Cancellation/Refund	Distinguishing cancellation during registration period and disqualification refunds
Second-round skills and job assessment	Skill Test	Physical fitness, interview, industry-specific skills, and bonus points
Special test	Special EPS-TOPIK	Voluntary returnees, 200 points, 120-point standard
Official latest notices	EPS-TOPIK Notice	Notices on textbook corrections, interviews, self-diagnosis, and color vision
Official textbooks	NEW Standard Korean Textbook	Re-downloading the latest PDF and MP3
Official sample questions	Open Test	Practicing question types and difficulty, distinguishing from actual questions
Cheating	Punishment of Wrongdoer	4-year restriction, checking reporting channels
Checking passing results	See exam results	Checking results by country and test round
Post-passing E-9 process flow	EPS Employment Procedure for General Foreign Workers	Checking roster, contract, training, entry, and placement
Latest announcement on 18th sending country	Office for Government Policy Coordination 2026-08-14 Announcement	Checking Kazakhstan designation and 2028 introduction
Employment Permit System laws	Act on the Employment of Foreign Workers	Legal basis for contracts, referrals, insurance, and workplace changes
E-9 visa	Latest HiKorea Status of Stay Manual	2026-08-07 E-9 visa and stay standards
Labor counseling	Ministry of Employment and Labor 1350	Counseling for wages, contracts, workplace changes, and industrial accidents

How This Document Handled Conflicts Between Official Pages

Past phrases such as '200 points, 80 points' for the regular test remain on the EPS general employment procedure page, and '2-year restriction' for cheating on the application form guide. In contrast, the current test-dedicated page shows '100 points, relative evaluation' for the regular test, and the separate sanctions page shows '4-year restriction'. Here is the priority this document applied.

The joint recruitment notice of your national government and HRD Korea for that test round
The current test-dedicated EPS-TOPIK page and 2026 notices
General procedures in the EPS comprehensive guide
Past textbooks, blogs, academies, and videos

If a newer notice is released on the actual registration date, that notice takes priority over this document.

10. Wrapping Up

Final Checklist

Before applying

Has an official test round opened for our country and industry?
Do you fall within the allowed date of birth range in the notice?
Is your combined stay on E-9 and E-10 less than 5 years?
Have you checked criminal records, deportation, departure restrictions, and cheating sanctions?
Are your English name, date of birth, and number on your passport accurate?
Are you using the official sending agency and designated account?
Is it the right test type for you between the regular test and special test?

Test preparation

Have you downloaded the latest NEW Standard Textbook 1 and 2 and MP3 files?
Have you replaced Textbook 2 with the version revised on June 22, 2026?
Have you practiced with 40 questions in 50 minutes under real test conditions?
Have you studied occupational safety and workplace vocabulary?
Have you prepared for the second-round physical fitness, interview, and basic skills together?
Have you prepared original documents and translations for work experience, training, education, and qualifications?
Have you rechecked your test date, center, and entry time?

After passing

Did you meet the deadlines for the health check-up and job seeking application?
Have you confirmed whether you are registered on the jobseeker roster?
Have you checked the employer, industry, workplace, and contract terms?
Have you made sure not to sign a blank contract?
Are you proceeding with pre-departure training, the E-9 visa, and flights through official institutions?
Have you made sure not to pay fees to brokers for employer selection or visa guarantees?

In Closing

EPS-TOPIK is the first gate to employment in Korea and not a work permit. The 2026 regular test is a 100-point relative evaluation, and only the special test is a 200-point system. Manage the latest notice by country and industry, the textbook revised in 2026, the second-round skills test, and health, job seeking, contract, and E-9 procedures as one single process. For information that changes often, such as schedules, quotas, and cut-off scores, official notices on the day of registration always take priority over this document.

Official Sources

These are the official materials this document used as reference.

EPS-TOPIK Test Overview · HRD Korea
EPS-TOPIK Testing Module · HRD Korea
EPS-TOPIK Schedule by Country and Industry · HRD Korea
Guide to the Second-Round Skills Test and Job Competency Assessment · HRD Korea
Guide to Special EPS-TOPIK · HRD Korea
EPS-TOPIK Official Notices · HRD Korea
Download NEW Standard Korean Textbook · HRD Korea
Open Test · HRD Korea
Sanctions for Cheating · HRD Korea
EPS Employment Procedure for General Foreign Workers · Employment Permit System (EPS)
Foreign Workforce Policy Committee Announcement: Kazakhstan Designated as Sending Country (2026-08-14) · Office for Government Policy Coordination
Act on the Employment of Foreign Workers · Korean Law Information Center
Visa and Stay Application Manual by Status (2026-08-07 Edition) · Ministry of Justice, HiKorea
Current Minimum Wage Status Applied in 2026 · Minimum Wage Commission

Policies and schedules can change. Always confirm with the official sources before applying or departing.