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EPS-TOPIK, the Korean test for E-9 workers: fee, format, schedule and who can take it
Numbers checked against the official source on 2026-10-19
EPS-TOPIK is the Korean-language test that foreign job seekers take to enter Korea's Employment Permit System (the route behind E-9 work visas). The registration fee shown on HRD Korea's page is 28 USD (the Korean version says 28 USD or the local-currency equivalent, and 24 USD for the Philippines). The test is 40 questions in 50 minutes (listening 25 and reading 25, 100 points in all), and it is held by country and recruitment round, not on one fixed calendar. It is a different test from the general TOPIK: see TOPIK fees and test dates.
Source: HRD Korea (Human Resources Development Service of Korea) EPS-TOPIK site, English and Korean pages, read on 2026-10-19. The schedule page says the listed schedule "can be changed".
Fact table
| Item | What the official page says |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Assess job seekers' Korean-language ability and understanding of Korean society, as an objective selection criterion for the foreign job-seeker list |
| Who takes it | Foreign job seekers aged 18 to 39 who apply through their country's sending agency (the site lists an information office per country) |
| Fee | USD 28 (English page); 28 USD or equivalent local currency, 24 USD for the Philippines (Korean page) |
| Questions and time | 40 questions, 50 minutes: reading 20 questions / 25 minutes, listening 20 questions / 25 minutes |
| Score | 100 points in total; reading 50, listening 50 |
| Format | Computer-based test (CBT) in the current schedule; each section has 4 multiple-choice options |
| Pass rule | Relative evaluation: scores above the lowest score per industry, then successful candidates in order of merit up to the planned number |
| Lowest scores (Korean page only) | Manufacturing 60 of 100; other industries 45 of 100; fishing special case 30 of 100 |
| Score validity | Not stated on the official pages |
Who can sit the test
- Aged 18 to 39.
- No criminal record.
- No past deportation from Korea.
- No exit restriction (a disqualifying reason).
- Has not stayed in Korea 5 years or more on E-9, or on E-10, or on the two combined.
A separate Special EPS-TOPIK exists for re-employment of foreign workers who left voluntarily within their period of stay (departure on or after 1 January 2010). It has 200 points in total, and candidates scoring 120 or more are chosen within each country's quota.
Steps
- Check the round. The schedule page lists each country's recruitment round, with a period, test date and result date; many entries read "Undecided".
- Register. By visiting the reception desk (pay the fee, receive the application sheet with a photo and an ID copy; individual registration only, no agents or groups) or online (choose the test, the test centre, agree to the policy, enter your data, print the admission ticket).
- Sit the test. Bring the application card, passport or ID and pens; mobile phones and electronic dictionaries are not allowed.
- Results. The passers' list is announced by country; it does not give individual scores.
Examples on the schedule page at the time of reading: Laos recruitment round 34, period 2026-09-07 to 2026-09-11; Cambodia round 13, 2026-10-15 to 2026-10-17.
Where the pages disagree
| Item | Page A | Page B |
|---|---|---|
| Penalty for cheating | Application-form page: test invalid and no test for two years | "Punishment of Wrongdoer" page: restricted for four years |
| Refund for an ineligible applicant | English cancellation page: not refundable after the registration period | Korean cancellation page: an ineligible applicant can be refunded even after the period |
| Pass cut-off | English test page: scores above the lowest per industry (no numbers) | Korean test page: 60 manufacturing, 45 others, 30 fishing |
We cannot tell which page is newer, so confirm the penalty and refund rules with the sending agency or HRD Korea. This page does not cover visa steps after passing. This is a summary, not legal advice.
Checked 2026-10-19.
Official sources
- HRD Korea EPS-TOPIK — What is EPS-TOPIK? (English) — purpose, 40 questions, 50 minutes, eligibility, pass method; no revision date printed (read on 2026-10-19) (checked 2026-10-19)
- HRD Korea EPS-TOPIK — What is EPS-TOPIK? (Korean) — lowest passing scores 60 / 45 / 30 (checked 2026-10-19)
- HRD Korea EPS-TOPIK — Registration by Visiting (English) — fee USD 28, visiting registration steps (checked 2026-10-19)
- HRD Korea EPS-TOPIK — Registration by Visiting (Korean) — 28 USD or local equivalent; 24 USD for the Philippines (checked 2026-10-19)
- HRD Korea EPS-TOPIK — Registration by On-Line — online registration steps (checked 2026-10-19)
- HRD Korea EPS-TOPIK — Schedule — CBT/PBT schedule by country; page says it can be changed (read on 2026-10-19) (checked 2026-10-19)
- HRD Korea EPS-TOPIK — Cancellation/Refund (English and Korean) — refund rule; the Korean version differs (checked 2026-10-19)
- HRD Korea EPS-TOPIK — Application Form and Punishment of Wrongdoer — cheating restriction four years; application page says two years (checked 2026-10-19)
- HRD Korea EPS-TOPIK — Special EPS-TOPIK — special test: eligibility, 200 points, 120-point rule (checked 2026-10-19)
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