What the Employment Permit System (EPS) is

EPS is an official government-to-government scheme. There is no need to go through a private broker.

What it is

• Korea and sending countries sign memoranda of understanding and bring in workers through an official process.
• E-9 (non-professional employment) is the main status. See e9-visa-basics.
• It covers manufacturing, construction, agriculture and livestock, fisheries and some service sectors.
• It uses a standard employment contract, and minimum wage and the Labour Standards Act apply.

The broad flow

1. Sit and pass EPS-TOPIK (the Korean language test). See eps-korean-test.
2. Skills assessment and health check in the sending country.
3. Registration on the jobseeker roster.
4. A Korean employer selects you → standard employment contract. See eps-contract.
5. Visa issuance → entry → employment training.
6. Workplace placement and alien registration.

Requirements and timing at each stage differ by country and period. Always check with your country's EPS agency and www.eps.go.kr.

Beware brokers

There is no room for private brokers in the official EPS process.

• "Pay me and I'll move you up the roster" — a scam.
• "I'll make sure you pass" — you sit the test yourself.
• Excessive sending fees — demands beyond the set costs are a problem. Report them to your country's agency.

After arriving in Korea

• Always check the standard employment contract. See eps-contract.
• Workplace changes have defined grounds and procedures. See change-workplace-e9.
• If problems arise, consult 1350 and 1577-0071. Don't endure it alone.
• Return support schemes exist. See eps-return-support.

Where to go

• Employment Permit System www.eps.go.kr
• 1577-0071 Foreign Workforce Support Centre
• 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labour (with interpretation)
• 1345 Immigration Contact Centre (residence status)
• Local migrant workers' support centres

Questions people ask

Can I do it without a broker? Yes — going without one is the normal way. Proceed through your country's EPS agency.

Is it impossible without Korean? Passing EPS-TOPIK is required. See eps-korean-test.

What if problems arise at work? Consult 1350 and 1577-0071 — interpretation is available. Never simply abscond.

The contract and the reality differ. Breach of contract can be grounds for a workplace change. Gather evidence and consult 1350.

Take care

Offers of "a faster route than EPS" are mostly illegal. Arrangements to enter on a tourist visa and work lead to you being punished and deported. However long it takes, the official EPS process is safest and ultimately fastest.

Related

e9-visa-basics · eps-korean-test · eps-contract · eps-return-support · change-workplace-e9

Source

Ministry of Employment and Labour, Employment Permit System www.eps.go.kr / As of 2026-08