E-9 — Non-professional Employment Permit (E-9) — EPS

South Korea•Asia

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E-9 — Non-professional Employment Permit (E-9) — EPS

Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

1-3 months

Application Fee

50,000 USD

Stay Duration

3 years

Renewable

Job Offer

Required

Dependents

Not Specified

PR Pathway

Remote Work

Not Required

Official Information

Overview

Work permit for unskilled/semi-skilled foreign workers in manufacturing, agriculture, fishery, and construction under the Employment Permit System (EPS).

The E-9 visa is designed for foreign nationals from specific countries to perform unskilled or semi-skilled labor in South Korea's manufacturing, agriculture, fishery, or construction sectors. Applicants must be recruited through the government-managed Employment Permit System and meet age and health requirements to secure this work permit.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

3 years

Annual Cap & Quota

80,000 (2026)

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

South Korea

F-2-7 — Long-term Residency Visa (F-2)

Validity3 years

Processing1-2 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY 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

Job Offer

Required

Education

none or higher

Min. Income

24,728,880 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Employment contract

Health certificate

Police certificate

Bank statements

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

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Overview

Work permit for unskilled/semi-skilled foreign workers in manufacturing, agriculture, fishery, and construction under the Employment Permit System (EPS).

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY 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

Job Offer

Required

Education

none or higher

Min. Income

24,728,880 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Employment contract

Health certificate

Police certificate

Bank statements