The Employment Permit System (EPS) is a system introduced by the Korean government (Ministry of Employment and Labor) that allows small and medium-sized businesses, which are unable to find Korean workers, to legally employ foreign workers.

This system was introduced to prioritize job opportunities for Korean nationals while addressing labor shortages in various industries such as manufacturing, agriculture and livestock, fisheries, construction, and services, and to protect the rights of foreign workers.

The EPS has been implemented since August 2004 as a government-led program to address issues such as illegal brokers, human rights violations, and illegal stay. However, due to procedural complexity, the inability for employers and workers to get to know each other beforehand, and the long period before the worker can begin employment after recruitment, there is increasing demand for system reform. Recently, the system has been gradually eased.

> Number of permitted workers by industry

✅ Eligible Sectors and Visas

Employers may hire low-skilled workers in designated industries.

ㆍ General Employment Permit System (E-9 visa)
Targeting foreign workers from 17 countries including Thailand, Vietnam, etc. The non-professional employment (E-9) visa is issued.

ㆍ Special Employment Permit System (H-2 visa)
Targeting ethnic Koreans from China and former Soviet Union countries. The visiting employment (H-2) visa is issued.

✅ Employment Permit Procedure

ㆍ If a Korean worker cannot be hired despite efforts, the employer may apply to the government to hire a foreign worker
ㆍ The government selects suitable candidates from MOU-signed sending countries and recommends them to employers
ㆍ After signing a labor contract, the foreign worker is issued an employment visa (E-9) and granted entry

 > View detailed EPS employment application procedure

✅ Permitted Countries

Currently, there are 17 Asian countries designated as EPS sending countries. Korea has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with these countries to manage worker dispatch and acceptance. Recently, Tajikistan was designated as the 17th sending country, with deployment expected to begin in 2025.

✅ Additional Notes

ㆍ The basic working period under an E-9 visa is 3 years. If the employer applies for re-employment, an additional 1 year and 10 months may be granted. A worker can work at the same workplace for a maximum of 4 years and 10 months.
ㆍ If recognized as a diligent worker, they may re-enter Korea 3 months after departure and work an additional 4 years and 10 months through the re-entry privilege system.
ㆍ Workers must pass the EPS-TOPIK (Korean language proficiency test) before entry.

[Related Information Links]

> E-9 Visa Employer Eligibility
> How Workers Can Prepare for EPS Permit
> EPS Website
> EPS Mobile App