Non-Professional Employment (EPS)

From the MOJ manual · as of 2026-07-31Who qualifies & how

Eligibility. Non-professional workers under the Employment Permit System (외국인고용법) from the 17 MOU countries (Thailand, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Cambodia, China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan, Timor-Leste, Laos, Tajikistan), hired by SMEs (under 300 regular workers or capital of KRW 8 billion or less) in permitted industries: manufacturing (E-9-1), construction (E-9-2), agriculture/livestock (E-9-3), fishery incl. aquaculture and salt (E-9-4), services incl. designated logistics, hotel/lodging and Korean-restaurant kitchen help (E-9-5), forestry (E-9-9), mining (E-9-10).

Work rights. Work only for the permitted employer in the permitted industry under the EPS. Workplace changes are limited to 3 during the first 3 years and 2 during the re-employment extension, and only for statutory reasons via the job center.

Duration. Up to 3 years per grant; total employment up to 4 years 10 months when the employer obtains the re-employment extension.

Extension. Extension beyond 3 years requires the MOEL 'employment-period expiry extension' confirmation (adds up to 1 year 10 months); official across-the-board extensions of up to 6 years are possible in disasters/epidemics. Extension fee waived for workers awaiting workplace change for industrial-accident or similar reasons.

Pathways. E-9 → E-7-4 skilled worker via the points system for long-term workers meeting requirements; faithful workers may re-enter under the re-entry special EPS track. Change into most other statuses (e.g., D-2, D-10) is restricted.

ChecklistRequired documents

• Visa issued only via Confirmation of Visa Issuance filed by the employer (or authorized agency) at the competent immigration office or visa.go.kr
• Worker: national criminal-record certificate covering the whole country, issued within 3 months
• Worker: self-completed health status form (TB, hepatitis B, syphilis, drug use, mental illness)
• Re-entry special-case workers: group application through the sending agency only

Fees: change of status ₩100,000. The full table with legal citations is on /fees.

→ Guide: The EPS process, step by step

Coastal fishery E-9-4 applies only to crews of vessels under 20 tons not covered by the Seafarers Act.

Official taxonomySubtypes (11)

Who holds itE-9 holders by nationality

TrendMonthly arrivals on the E-9

In 2026-06, 11,354 people entered Korea on an E-9 visa, down 15.1% from a year earlier.