The Millo Blog editorial team reviewed official information from the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Easy Law Information service. Updated: 2026-08-07.
Foreigners via KOWORK and Official Channels. Understanding the proper legal channels is essential for any foreign national seeking employment in Korea. While platforms like KOWORK serve as resources for guidance on visa requirements and career insights, the primary legal pathway for non-professional foreign workers is the government-operated Employment Permit System (EPS). Learning how to find jobs in Korea for foreigners via KOWORK and related official services can help you navigate the process safely. Before beginning your search, you must ensure your current visa status explicitly permits employment activities.
Understanding the Employment Permit System (EPS)
The Employment Permit System (EPS) is the official framework that allows Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) struggling to find local workers to hire foreign nationals legally. This system is primarily for non-professional workers holding an E-9 visa.
- Eligibility: Only individuals who have passed the official EPS-TOPIK (Korean Language Proficiency Test) and meet specific age and health criteria are eligible to be included in the job-seeker registry.
- Registration: Once qualified, you must register as a job seeker through the designated government labor center.
- Safety Note: Always verify job postings through official government channels to ensure the employer is authorized to hire foreign workers under the EPS.
How to Seek Employment as a Foreigner
Whether you are using information found on KOWORK or other government portals, your job-seeking process must follow established legal steps. Working outside the scope of your specific visa is considered illegal and can result in severe penalties.
The Registration Process
If you are a foreign national looking for work, you must be registered in the official job-seeker database. For those under the EPS system, this involves passing the language test and submitting necessary health and background documentation to the relevant government authorities in your home country or through the local labor office if already residing in Korea.
Counseling and Grievance Support
If you encounter difficulties during your job search or have questions regarding your labor rights, you can contact the Counseling Center for Foreign Workers. Operated by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, this service provides professional guidance and counseling.
- Contact Number: 1577-0071
- Services: General inquiries about employment, legal support, and workplace grievance counseling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work with any visa?
No. You must possess a valid visa that explicitly permits employment. Activities outside your specific visa category, such as working under a tourist or non-work student visa without specific authorization, are illegal.
Is KOWORK the only place to look for jobs?
KOWORK is a helpful resource for understanding visa requirements and career insights. However, for legal employment, you must also utilize the official Employment Permit System (EPS) portal for E-9 or H-2 (Visit Employment) visa holders to ensure the job and employer are legally recognized.
What should I do if I have a conflict with an employer?
If you face issues at your workplace, reach out to the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s Foreign Worker Counseling Center at 1577-0071 for guidance on labor laws and dispute resolution.
Next Steps
1. Check your current Residence Card to confirm your visa type and employment permissions.
2. Visit the Foreigner Employment Management System (Goyong24) to check your employment status or training history.
3. Review the Easy Law Information portal for the latest legal updates on foreign labor regulations.
Detailed Requirements for the E-9 Visa Pathway
For those utilizing the Employment Permit System (EPS) to secure an E-9 visa, the process is highly structured and begins with strict eligibility checks. To be registered in the foreign job-seeker pool, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Age Requirements: Applicants must be between 18 and 39 years of age.
- Legal Standing: You must have no criminal record resulting in imprisonment and no history of being forcibly deported or expelled from the Republic of Korea.
- Stay Limits: Eligibility is restricted to those who have not stayed in Korea for more than five years under the E-9 (Non-professional Employment) or E-10 (Sailing Employment) visa categories, either individually or combined.
The sequence of employment follows a mandatory progression: first, passing the EPS-TOPIK (Korean Language Proficiency Test), followed by registration in the job-seeker registry, signing a labor contract, obtaining the visa, and finally completing entry and employment training before starting work.
Job-Seeking Steps for H-2 (Visit Employment) Holders
Foreign nationals of Korean descent holding an H-2 visa follow a different trajectory than E-9 workers. A critical requirement for H-2 holders is the completion of mandatory employment training provided by the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRDK) before applying for a job.
Training Requirements and Costs
Depending on your status, the training duration and fees vary:
- New Entrants: Required to complete 16 hours of training over 3 days. The associated cost is 127,500 KRW.
- Re-entry Workers: Required to complete 6 hours of training over 1 day. The associated cost is 75,000 KRW.
This training covers essential topics including an understanding of Korean culture, the Employment Permit System, and labor laws such as the Labor Standards Act. Once training is completed, you must submit a job search application to a local labor office. It is important to note that job search applications are valid for one year.
Finding Work as an H-2 Holder
H-2 workers have more flexibility in how they find employment compared to E-9 workers. You may either be placed in a workplace through the mediation of a local labor office or find a suitable business independently. However, strict legal boundaries apply to how these jobs are sourced.
Critical Compliance and Verification
Avoiding Illegal Recruitment
Foreign workers must be wary of illegal employment brokers. It is strictly prohibited for paid private employment agencies to mediate jobs for H-2 or E-9 workers. Engaging with such services is illegal; violators may face severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to one year or fines up to 10 million KRW. Always use official government channels or approved platforms for placement.
Integrating KOWORK with Official Portals
While KOWORK is an excellent tool for gathering career insights and understanding the general landscape of visa requirements, it should be used as a complementary resource rather than a final authority. For the most accurate and legally binding information, follow these practical steps:
- Use KOWORK to research industry trends and get a preliminary understanding of which visas match your professional background.
- Cross-reference any job postings found on third-party platforms with the Foreigner Employment Management System (Goyong24) to ensure the employer is legitimate.
- Verify current status of postings frequently, as availability and visa requirements are subject to rapid change based on government quotas.
By combining the insights from KOWORK with the administrative rigor of the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s official portals, foreign residents can ensure their employment journey is both successful and legally compliant.
Official sources
- Easy Law Information – Employment of Foreign Workers
- Foreigner Employment Management System (Goyong24/EPS)