Working in South Korea for Filipinos 2026 — EPS, Jobs & Guide
South Korea is a growing destination for Filipino workers with over 65,000 OFWs. The Employment Permit System (EPS) is the primary pathway, offering factory, agriculture, and fishing jobs with salaries of KRW 2,060,740+/month (approximately USD 1,500).
Employment Permit System (EPS)
The EPS (E-9 visa) is the primary work programme for Filipino workers in South Korea:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Sectors | Manufacturing, construction, agriculture, livestock, fishing |
| Duration | 3 years (extendable to 4 years 10 months) |
| Minimum wage 2026 | KRW 2,060,740/month (~USD 1,500) |
| Working hours | 40 hours/week + overtime |
| Language test | EPS-TOPIK (Korean language) |
| Age | 18-39 years old |
| Agency | Through DMW/POEA (government-to-government) |
How to Apply:
- Pass the EPS-TOPIK (Korean language test) — held in the Philippines annually
- Register with DMW and complete skills assessment
- Wait for job matching by HRD Korea (Human Resources Development Service of Korea)
- Sign employment contract and undergo pre-departure orientation
- Obtain E-9 visa and deploy
Important: EPS is a government-to-government programme. Do NOT pay private agencies for EPS placement — this is a common scam.
EPS-TOPIK Test
- 200-question test covering reading and listening in Korean
- Must score at least 80 out of 200 to pass
- Study materials available free from HRD Korea website
- Test held once or twice a year in the Philippines
- Valid for 2 years
Worker Rights in Korea
- Minimum wage applies to ALL foreign workers equally
- 4 major insurances: national health, industrial accident, employment, national pension
- Departure guarantee insurance refund upon leaving Korea
- Free labour counselling: 1350 (multilingual, Korean government hotline)
- POLO Seoul: +82 2-796-7387
Related Pages
Working Abroad