Korea has two main employment tracks for foreign workers: the general foreigner route (EPS) and the special foreigner route (H-2 Working Visit). Here is a step-by-step breakdown of each process.
🔵 General Foreigner (EPS Route)
The Employment Permit System (EPS) follows this sequence:
- EPS-TOPIK → 2. Candidate list → 3. Standard employment contract → 4. Pre-employment education → 5. Arrival & education → 6. Start work
Step 1. EPS-TOPIK
Since August 2005, the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD) has administered the EPS-TOPIK to recruit migrant workers fairly and help them adapt to Korean life.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Aged 18–39, no criminal record, not previously deported, no departure restrictions |
| Evaluation | Basic Korean communication, industrial safety knowledge, Korean culture understanding |
| Selection | 80+ points out of 200 (highest scores selected first) |
| Score validity | 2 years |
Step 2. Candidate List
The HRD compiles and manages the list of workers who passed EPS-TOPIK and applied for jobs, confirming each meets the basic requirements.
Step 3. Standard Employment Contract
A Korean business selects a migrant worker introduced by the employment support center, then signs an employment contract through a foreign agent. The contract is verified by the worker-dispatching institution.
📌 Probation Period
Up to 3 months from the start of employment. Probationary workers receive 90% of minimum wage. The employer cannot lower working conditions after probation ends.
Step 4. Pre-employment Education
The HRD provides 1 to 2.5 weeks of pre-employment education depending on the worker's EPS-TOPIK score.
Step 5. Arrival & Education
Workers obtain an E-9 visa from the ROK Embassy, arrive in Korea, and attend a mandatory 16-hour (3-day) education session.
Step 6. Start Work
The employer picks up the worker from the education facility and work begins. In principle, migrant workers should remain at the agreed workplace.
Transfer to another workplace is allowed up to 3 times within the 3-year permit for justifiable reasons (employer fault, closure, rights violations, injury). Workers must apply within 1 month and find work within 3 months of leaving.
🟠 Special Foreigner (H-2 Working Visit Route)
- Entry with H-2 visa — Obtain at the ROK Embassy, or change from F1–F4 visa at the Immigration Control Office
- Employment education — 16 hours (3 days) at HRD, covering Korean language, culture, and labor laws. Cost: Camp 148,000 KRW / Non-camp 102,000 KRW
- Job application — Through the Employment Support Center or independently. Application valid for 1 year
- Standard employment contract — Employer must obtain a letter of confirmation of recruitment
- Report commencement — Employer reports to Employment Support Center within 10 days; worker reports to Immigration within 14 days
Foreign nationals in Korea are protected under the same labor laws as Korean workers.