www.statusin.org

Name of the Organization : Ministry of Employment and Labor
Type of Facility : Employment Permit System
Country : Korea
Website : https://www.eps.go.kr/index.jsp

What is Employment Permit System (EPS)?

The Employment Permit System (EPS) allows employers who have failed to hire local workforce, to legally employ foreign workers. (the Korean government or public institution administer the management of the foreign workers)

Related / Similar Service :
South Korea Post EMS Tracking & Tracing

Use foreign workforce guaranteeing the employment opportunity of domestic workers :
** Decide the quota of foreign workforce introduction considering human resources supply and demand trends such as Korean economic situation and domestic labor market every year.
** Allow employers to hire foreign workers in the labor shortage industries such as agriculture & stockbreeding, fishery, construction and manufacturing less than 300 regular workers.

Transparency of the foreign workforce selection and introduction process, and prevention of corruption practices and anomalies in the sending process :
Government institutions or agencies administer the process of foreign workforce selection and introduction based on the MOU signed by both government. (Job Center and HRD Korea)

Select qualified foreign workers according to employer’s demand :
Choose competent workers have satisfactory skill level and Korean language proficiency.

Protect human rights of foreign workers :
Implement equality between local (Koreans) and foreign workers on the application and observance of labor related laws and policies such as Labor Standards Act, Minimum Wage Act and Industrial Safety and Health Act.

Foreign Worker Selection/Invitation Procedure :
1. Decision on major policies including quota and sending countries
** Deliberation and decision by the Foreign Workforce Policy Committee(established by the Prime Minister’s Office)
** Major issues related to foreign workforce such as type of business, quota and sending countries ect.

2. Signing of MOU on the sending workforce (ROK government <–> Sending country government) :
** Signing MOU to prevent corruption scandal in the sending process
** Decide on the renewal of MOU through regular assessment on MOU execution

3. Making job seekers’ roster(Sending country government<–> ROK government) :
** Sending countries(government institution) select competent job seekers(multiple number of quota) based on objective standard of qualification such as EPS-TOPIK score, result of skill test and working experience
** HRD Korea approves job seekers’ roster which sending countries transfer

4 . Selection of foreign workers & issuance of Employment Permit(Employers <–> MOEL) :
** To protect the employment opportunity of Koreans, employers can apply for Employment Permit at Job Centers in case of having failed to employ Koreans in spite of the efforts to hire them (for 3 to 7 days)
** Job Centers recommend foreign workers who are qualified the recruitment conditions(three times).
** The Employment Permits are issued when employers choose competent foreign workers among the recommended

5 . Singing of labor contract(Employer <–> Foreign worker) :
Employers sign the Standard Labor Contract with selected foreign workers(Labor contract must clarify working conditions such as wage, working hours, holidays and workplace)

6 . Issuance of Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance(Employer<–> MOJ) :
Employers apply for Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance(CCVI) and MOJ issues CCVI

7 . Entry of foreign workers(Employer <–> Sending country) :
** Employers send CCVIs to sending countries, foreign workers enter will apply for a work visa (E-9) at the Korean Embassy and foreign workers enter Korea after the issuance of their visa.
** Foreign workers must complete Employment Training (minimum of 20 hours) after entry

8 . Employment management of foreign workers(MOEL) & Sojourn management of foreign workers(MOJ) :
** Conduct labor inspection on workplace which employs foreign workers(MOEL)
** Provide post management services such as consultation and free education(MOEL, HRD Korea and NGOs)
** Permits change of workplace due to suspension or closing of business, delaying wage and other justifiable reasons.
** Execute strict sojourn management through strengthening the immigration control administration and establishing a link system between MOJ and MOEL

Eligibility To Apply For EPS-TOPIK

** Person aged between 18 and 39
** Person with no criminal record in relation to serious offence punishable by imprisonment
** Person with no past records of deportation or departure under a departure order from the Republic of Korea

** Person who is not subject to travel ban in his/her home country
** Person who fulfills the eligibility requirements decided by both country

Implementation of EPS-TOPIK :
** Implemented at each country considering the number of valid rosters and anticipated roster-exhausting time
** Specific schedule and details are announced in advance

EPS-TOPIK questions :
** listening(25 questions) and reading comprehensions(25 questions) (Total test time is 70 minutes)
** EPS-TOPIK Question book : Download Link

Announcement of test passers :
How to announce :
** Announced through web page on designated day after EPS-TOPIK implemented
** Home page address
** Posted at Sending Agency in sending country

Valid term of EPS-TOPIK : 2 years from announcement date of Test result

Others :
** Even the candidates pass the EPS-TOPIK, they only obtain qualification to be registered in EPS Pool through Job application, it does not guarantee employment in Korea
** EPS-TOPIK pass
** Job application
** Roster making and registration
** Introducing foreign workers (Random)
** Employment

Contact :
For more information, visit the website of Ministry of Employment and Labor

Tel : 82-1350