If you are planning to work in South Korea through the Employment Permit System (EPS), understanding the process before you apply is extremely important.
EPS is not simply a Korean language test.
It is a government-managed employment system that connects eligible foreign workers with Korean employers and may eventually lead to employment in Korea under the E-9 visa.
In this complete guide, you will learn:
- What EPS is
- What EPS-TOPIK is
- Who can apply
- How the EPS process works
- EPS-TOPIK test structure
- Passing criteria
- Skills Test
- How to prepare
- Where to find official free textbooks
- Important things to know before applying
Table of Contents
What Is EPS?
EPS stands for Employment Permit System.
In Korean:
🔊 Listen: 고용허가제
goyong heogaje
Employment Permit System
The Korean government operates EPS to help employers in industries experiencing labor shortages legally employ foreign workers.
The system also manages the selection and introduction of foreign workers in a structured way.
The official EPS website describes the system as a way to systematically introduce and manage foreign workers while helping address labor shortages in small and medium-sized businesses. 국가예방접종통합관리시스템
Is EPS the Same as EPS-TOPIK?
No.
This is one of the most important things to understand.
EPS is the entire employment system.
EPS-TOPIK is the Korean language test used as part of the foreign-worker selection process.
In Korean:
🔊 Listen: 고용허가제 한국어능력시험
goyong heogaje hangugeo neungnyeok siheom
EPS Korean Language Proficiency Test
Passing EPS-TOPIK is an important step, but passing the Korean test does not automatically guarantee that you will get a job in Korea.
The test is used as one of the selection criteria for foreign job seekers. EPSTOPIK
How Does the EPS Process Work?
The exact process can vary depending on your country and recruitment program, but the general process follows a structure similar to this:
EPS-TOPIK → Skills Test / Competency Assessment → Job Seeker Roster → Employment Contract → Pre-Departure Training → Visa Process → Entry to Korea → Workplace Assignment
The official EPS system describes the general E-9 employment process as beginning with the Korean language test, followed by creation of the job-seeker roster, employment contract, pre-employment education, entry into Korea, employment training, and workplace placement. 국가예방접종통합관리시스템
Your old guide already explained this flow very well, so I would definitely keep this section in the new version.
Who Can Take EPS-TOPIK?
According to the current official EPS-TOPIK information, applicants generally must meet requirements including:
- Be between 18 and 39 years old
- Have no qualifying serious criminal record
- Have no previous record of forced deportation or departure from Korea
- Have no restriction preventing departure from their home country
- Meet the applicable Korean stay-history requirements involving E-9 and E-10 status
The official Korean EPS page currently notes an additional country-specific age condition for the Philippines in some EPS procedures, so applicants should always check their own country’s announcement before registering. 국가예방접종통합관리시스템
Eligibility can also depend on agreements and recruitment conditions between Korea and the sending country.
Which Countries Participate in EPS?
Your original article listed 16 sending countries.
That information has changed.
Tajikistan was designated as the 17th EPS sending country in 2024, and in 2026 the Korean government announced Kazakhstan as the 18th sending country. 전자세금계산서
Before applying, check whether recruitment is currently active for your country because designation does not necessarily mean applications are open at all times.
What Is EPS-TOPIK?
EPS-TOPIK stands for:
Employment Permit System – Test of Proficiency in Korean
The test is administered by the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea).
Its purpose is to evaluate:
- Basic Korean communication skills
- Korean needed in industrial workplaces
- Understanding of Korean workplace culture
- Ability to adapt to daily life in Korea
The official test description specifically lists everyday communication, Korean needed in industrial settings, and understanding of Korean corporate culture among the areas evaluated. EPSTOPIK
EPS-TOPIK Test Structure in 2026
This is one area where the old article definitely needed updating.
The current official EPS-TOPIK exam has:
| Section | Questions | Points | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 20 | 50 | 25 minutes |
| Listening | 20 | 50 | 25 minutes |
| Total | 40 | 100 | 50 minutes |
All questions are multiple-choice.
The reading section covers areas such as vocabulary and grammar, practical information, reading comprehension, workplace safety signs, and work-related situations. EPSTOPIK
What Is on the Reading Test?
The reading section may test:
- Korean vocabulary
- Grammar
- Understanding pictures and situations
- Practical information
- Workplace-related expressions
- Occupational safety information
- Signs and notices
- Reading comprehension
The current official criteria specifically include Korean language ability, Korean culture, and occupational safety and health. EPSTOPIK
This means EPS learners should not study only everyday Korean.
You should also learn workplace vocabulary and safety-related Korean.
What Is on the Listening Test?
The listening test evaluates your ability to understand Korean in practical situations.
You may need to understand:
- Short conversations
- Questions and answers
- Everyday situations
- Workplace situations
- Spoken information
- Visual information connected to audio
The current official exam gives 20 listening questions in 25 minutes. EPSTOPIK
What Score Do You Need to Pass EPS-TOPIK?
This is another part that should not be copied directly from the old article.
Current EPS-TOPIK uses relative evaluation.
Candidates first need to meet the minimum score for their industry, and successful candidates are then selected by score up to the planned number of recruits.
The current official minimum scores are listed as:
- Manufacturing: 60/100
- Other industries: 45/100
- Special fishing category: 30/100, pass/fail basis
Meeting the minimum score does not automatically mean final selection because ranking and recruitment quotas also matter. EPSTOPIK
This is why candidates should aim for the highest score possible rather than studying only to reach the minimum.
What Happens After You Pass EPS-TOPIK?
For many applicants, the next important stage is the Skills Test, sometimes described as the second round.
Only candidates who pass the first-round EPS-TOPIK proceed to this stage where applicable.
The official Skills Test can include:
- Physical fitness
- Interview
- Basic job skills
- Job capacity assessment
HRD Korea states that the second round is designed to evaluate candidates according to industry characteristics and employer needs. EPSTOPIK
EPS Skills Test
Your original article put a lot of effort into this section, so I would absolutely keep it.
The current official Skills Test consists of:
1. Physical Fitness Test
2. Interview
3. Basic Skills Test
There may also be additional points for relevant job capacity, such as:
- Work experience
- Training
- Educational background
- Qualifications
The official system currently shows a combined evaluation structure involving first-round results, second-round testing, and potential job-capacity points. EPSTOPIK
EPS Interview
Your old article had one of its strongest sections here because you had created actual interview-preparation material.
The interview may evaluate:
- Self-introduction
- Personal information
- Korean communication ability
- Work-related knowledge
- Understanding of the job
- Confidence and attitude
For preparation, practice answering basic questions clearly in Korean.
For example:
🔊 Listen: 자기소개 해보세요.
jagisogae haeboseyo
Please introduce yourself.
A basic introduction might begin:
🔊 Listen: 저는 마리오라고 합니다.
jeoneun Mario-rago hamnida
My name is Mario.
You can later turn your old 5-day EPS interview course into separate HYUZ Korea posts. That material is actually valuable enough that I would not cram all of it into this one article.
Important Korean Numbers for EPS
This was also a smart part of your old guide.
EPS applicants may need to understand numbers for:
- Age
- Time
- Dates
- Measurements
- Quantity
- Workplace instructions
- Personal information
For example:
🔊 Listen: 한 시
han si
1:00
🔊 Listen: 여섯 시 삼십오 분
yeoseot si samsibo bun
6:35
🔊 Listen: 이천이십육 년
icheonisibyuk nyeon
2026
Because EPS learners need both Sino-Korean and native Korean numbers, we should internally link this section to your Native Korean Numbers lesson.
Free Official EPS-TOPIK Textbooks
One of the best parts of EPS preparation is that official learning materials are available.
The current EPS website still provides an official EPS-TOPIK textbook section and links to EPS-TOPIK resources and question books. 국가예방접종통합관리시스템
The official EPS-TOPIK site also provides:
- Textbooks
- E-books
- Test information
- Registration information
- Result checking
- Practice resources
- Self-diagnosis tools
The current EPS-TOPIK homepage includes an E-Book section as well as a color-vision self-test and competency self-tool. EPSTOPIK
For serious applicants, official materials should be one of the main study resources.
How to Apply for EPS-TOPIK
Application procedures depend heavily on the country.
Registration may be handled through:
- The authorized sending agency
- Government organizations
- Official EPS offices
- Online registration
- Designated registration centers
Applicants typically need identification matching their passport or approved ID.
The official EPS-TOPIK application guidance warns that information such as your name and date of birth must match your passport, or admission to the test may be affected. EPSTOPIK
Because registration dates are country-specific, do not rely on a single global EPS-TOPIK schedule.
2026 EPS-TOPIK Schedule
Unlike regular TOPIK, EPS-TOPIK does not have one simple worldwide test calendar.
Schedules are announced by country, test type, and recruitment round.
The official EPS-TOPIK website currently shows country-specific registration entries for 2026, with some countries already displaying registration periods while others remain listed as undecided. EPSTOPIK
So the safest rule is:
Always check the official EPS-TOPIK site for your country before applying.
Do not rely on an old blog post, social media screenshot, or previous year’s schedule.
Is EPS-TOPIK the Same as Regular TOPIK?
No.
This causes a lot of confusion.
| TOPIK | EPS-TOPIK |
|---|---|
| General Korean proficiency exam | Korean exam for EPS worker selection |
| Used for study, employment and other purposes | Used within the Employment Permit System |
| TOPIK I and TOPIK II | One EPS-TOPIK selection exam |
| General Korean ability | Everyday + workplace Korean |
| Separate TOPIK system | Administered through HRD Korea EPS-TOPIK |
If you want a general Korean proficiency certificate, read our TOPIK Test 2026 Complete Guide.
Internal link:[TOPIK Test 2026 Complete Guide]
This is a very useful internal link because these two topics are closely related but have different purposes.
Does Passing EPS-TOPIK Guarantee a Job in Korea?
No.
This point should be very clear.
Passing the exam makes you eligible to continue through the EPS selection process, but it does not guarantee:
- Job placement
- Employer selection
- Employment contract
- Visa issuance
- Entry to Korea
There are additional selection and administrative stages after the language exam.
The official system itself describes EPS-TOPIK as a selection criterion for building the foreign job-seeker roster rather than as a guarantee of employment. EPSTOPIK
What Is the E-9 Visa?
Workers recruited through the general EPS system normally work in Korea under the E-9 non-professional employment status.
The EPS website provides services specifically for E-9 foreign workers, including employment procedures, employment history, insurance, Korean language test information, and workplace-related services. 국가예방접종통합관리시스템
Visa issuance occurs later in the process after the required selection and employment procedures are completed.
Industries Under EPS
The specific industries and occupations permitted under EPS can change over time.
Historically, major areas have included:
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Agriculture and livestock
- Fisheries
- Selected service industries
The Korean government has continued expanding and adjusting permitted industries over recent years, including changes involving services, hotels and condominiums, forestry and mining. 국가예방접종통합관리시스템
For this reason, always check the latest recruitment announcement for your country and industry.
How to Prepare for EPS-TOPIK
Here is a practical study strategy.
1. Learn Hangul First
You need to read Korean quickly.
Do not depend only on romanization.
2. Build Everyday Vocabulary
Study topics such as:
- Family
- Food
- Home
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Time and dates
- Numbers
- Weather
- Health
3. Learn Workplace Vocabulary
This is especially important for EPS.
Study:
- Tools
- Machines
- Safety equipment
- Workplace instructions
- Factory vocabulary
- Agriculture vocabulary
- Construction vocabulary
- Occupational safety signs
4. Practice Listening Every Day
Because the listening section moves quickly, daily exposure matters.
5. Use Official EPS Materials
Official textbooks and question resources should be your primary reference.
6. Practice Under Time Limits
The current exam gives you only 25 minutes for each 20-question section, so speed matters. EPSTOPIK
EPS-TOPIK Vocabulary You Should Know
Here are a few useful terms to start with:
🔊 Listen: 회사
hoesa
company
🔊 Listen: 공장
gongjang
factory
🔊 Listen: 안전
anjeon
safety
🔊 Listen: 작업
jageop
work / task
🔊 Listen: 기계
gigye
machine
🔊 Listen: 장갑
janggap
gloves
🔊 Listen: 조심하세요
josimhaseyo
Please be careful.
🔊 Listen: 위험합니다
wiheomhamnida
It is dangerous.
These can later become a separate EPS Korean Vocabulary article using the materials from your old site.
Frequently Asked Questions About EPS Korea
Can I apply for EPS from any country?
No.
EPS recruitment operates through designated sending countries and government-to-government arrangements.
Can I get an E-9 visa just by passing EPS-TOPIK?
No.
Passing the language test is only one stage of the selection process.
Is EPS-TOPIK difficult?
It is designed around practical Korean, but candidates need good speed, vocabulary, listening ability, and familiarity with workplace Korean.
Does EPS-TOPIK have writing?
The current standard EPS-TOPIK consists of Reading and Listening sections. EPSTOPIK
How long is the EPS-TOPIK test?
The current test lasts 50 minutes: 25 minutes for reading and 25 minutes for listening. EPSTOPIK
Where can I check the EPS-TOPIK schedule?
Use the official HRD Korea EPS-TOPIK website because schedules vary by country. EPSTOPIK
Final Thoughts
Working in Korea through EPS is a multi-step process.
The Korean language test is important, but applicants should understand the complete process:
Learn Korean → Pass EPS-TOPIK → Complete required assessments → Enter the job-seeker selection process → Receive employer selection and contract → Complete immigration procedures → Enter Korea
The strongest way to prepare is to combine Korean language study with workplace vocabulary, listening practice, official EPS materials, and interview preparation.
And remember:
Passing EPS-TOPIK does not guarantee employment.
Always check official EPS and HRD Korea announcements for the latest requirements, schedules, and procedures before applying.
Preparing for Korean proficiency beyond EPS-TOPIK? Read our TOPIK Test 2026 Complete Guide to learn about TOPIK levels, exam formats, registration, schedules, and results.👇
