South Korea•AsiaE-9 — Non-professional Employment Permit (E-9) - EPS
At a Glance
1–3 months
KRW ₩50,000
3 years
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Not specified
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Work permit for unskilled and semi-skilled workers in South Korean manufacturing, agriculture, fishery, and construction; spouse cannot work.
The E-9 Non-Professional Employment Permit allows foreign nationals to work in South Korea's manufacturing, agriculture, fishery, or construction sectors under the Employment Permit System (EPS). Applicants must be registered by designated sending-country agencies, pass the EPS-TOPIK Korean language test, be aged 18–39, and have no criminal record.
The visa allows stays up to 3 years, extendable by 1 year 10 months for a total of 4 years 10 months. Initial fees are approximately USD 50; extensions cost KRW 60,000. Spouses cannot work independently. Processing takes 3–6 months. The permit is not renewable but may convert to F-2 long-term residency. Job offers are mandatory.
This visa is ideal for workers from EPS partner countries seeking semi-skilled or unskilled work in South Korea's labor-shortage industries.
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 3 years |
Annual Cap & Quota
80,000 (2026)
Conversion Paths
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
South KoreaRequirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Pass EPS-TOPIK Korean language and skills test
Apply through designated sending country public agency
No prior overstay violations
Age 18–39
Health examination
No criminal record
KEY CRITERIA
Min. Income
25,882,560 KRW/yr
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport
Employment contract
Health certificate
Police certificate
Bank statements
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Annual quota of 80,000 positions available across designated sending countries
- Work authorization included without separate job approval
- Initial visa issuance fee only USD 50; extension costs KRW 60,000
- Extendable up to 4 years 10 months total with single-year extensions
- Access to manufacturing, agriculture, fishery, and construction sectors
- Government-managed Employment Permit System ensures employer vetting
- No health or education prerequisites beyond basic examination
Worth Knowing
- Requires minimum income of 25,882,560 KRW (~USD 19,500) stipulated by employer
- Korean language proficiency mandatory (EPS-TOPIK test must pass)
- Limited to applicants aged 18–39 from designated sending countries only
- Spouse cannot work in South Korea during your visa tenure
- No pathway to permanent residency; visa is temporary work-only status
- Dual intent prohibited — cannot study or engage in other activity simultaneously
Application Process
Register with HRD Korea
Employer registration
Labor demand approval
From Korean labor authority
Quota allocation
Worker quota approved
Employment contract
Signed employment agreement
Visa application
At Korean embassy
Visa processing
4-8 weeks
Visa issuance
E-9 non-professional visa
Application Forms
| E-9 Non-Professional Employment Application | — |
Related visas
More visas in South Korea
Work visas in other countries
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