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

Estimated Cost

₩50,000 KRW

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

3 years

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

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 Korea

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

Validity3 years

Processing1–2 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

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 EUR/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

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Verified Claims (3)

Last verified Jun 30, 2026

Official Info

https://www.eps.go.kr/eo/langMain.eo

eps.go.kr

Min Income

25882560

moel.go.kr

Spouse Can Work