ISLAMABAD: The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE) has shared details of South Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS), a government-to-government programme that provides Pakistani workers with opportunities for legal employment in the country.
The BEOE shared information about the programme on social media, explaining that the EPS enables workers from approved partner countries to secure jobs in South Korea under the E-9 work visa scheme.
In Pakistan, the programme is implemented through cooperation between the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) and South Korea’s Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea).
Under the scheme, selected Pakistani workers can seek employment in sectors including manufacturing, construction, agriculture and certain services.
The programme aims to ensure a transparent recruitment process, written employment contracts and access to applicable wage protections, labour rights and workplace safety standards in South Korea.
Eligibility and application process
Applicants are generally required to be between 18 and 39 years of age, hold a valid passport and meet the relevant health and other eligibility requirements. Previous illegal stay in South Korea, deportation history, a criminal record or legal restrictions on overseas travel may affect eligibility.
Candidates have been advised to check the latest recruitment announcement issued by the OEC for the applicable age limits, registration dates, eligible sectors and other requirements.
Applicants must first pass the computer-based EPS-TOPIK examination, which assesses their ability to read and understand spoken Korean. Candidates who meet the required standards may proceed to subsequent skills and competency assessments, depending on the recruitment criteria.
These assessments may evaluate practical job skills, physical fitness, hand-eye coordination and colour recognition, along with relevant work experience or skills certificates where required.
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Candidates are encouraged to prepare using official EPS-TOPIK textbooks and practice materials, with particular attention to Korean vocabulary related to factory work, tools, workplace safety instructions and everyday communication.
Selection does not guarantee employment
Candidates who successfully complete the required assessments may be placed on South Korea’s job-seeker roster. Employers in South Korea can then select suitable candidates and issue employment contracts.
However, passing the examination or being included on the roster does not guarantee a job, as final selection depends on employer demand and other recruitment requirements.