Last reviewed: October 24, 2026 · This guide is for Nepali citizens who want to work in Korea. Nepal has more than one route, and each one starts with a different organisation. Knowing which route you are on is the best protection against agents who sell “Korea jobs” that do not exist.
Quick answer
- E-9 through EPS is the main route. Nepal’s government runs it with Korea. You register for EPS-TOPIK with the EPS Korea Section in Nepal, and a Korean employer must then select you.
- E-7 is for professional and skilled jobs. It starts with a real Korean employer who sponsors you. In August 2026 the Embassy of Nepal in Seoul started attesting employer demand for E-7 workers.
- E-8 seasonal work runs between a Nepali and a Korean local government. As of October 2026 we found no official notice that seasonal recruitment from Nepal has restarted.
- D-2 study, then D-10 or E-7 is the long route. You study at a Korean university, then look for a job after you graduate.
- No route lets you pay an agent for a guaranteed job. The government route (E-9) is managed by the government, not by private agents.
The four routes at a glance
| Route | Who starts it | What you need first | Type of work | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-9 (EPS) | Nepal’s EPS Korea Section (Department of Foreign Employment) and HRD Korea | Pass EPS-TOPIK and the skills test in an open round | Manufacturing, agriculture and livestock, and other sectors named in each round | E-9 visa guide |
| E-7 | A Korean employer | A real job offer in an E-7 occupation, plus the required degree or experience | Professional and skilled jobs | E-7 from Nepal |
| E-8 | A Nepali local government with an agreement with a Korean city or county | Selection by your municipality | Seasonal farm or fishery work, up to 8 months | E-8 seasonal worker guide |
| D-2, then D-10 or E-7 | You, through a Korean university | University admission, proof of funds and Nepal’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) | Study first, then a job after graduation | D-2 to work visa |
If you have no degree and no Korean employer, E-9 is usually the realistic first step. If you have a degree or professional experience and a Korean company wants to hire you, look at E-7. To find out whether a job meets the E-7 rules, start with the E-7 occupation list.
E-9 through EPS: how it works in Nepal
Under the Employment Permit System (EPS), Korea recruits non-professional workers from partner countries through their governments. Nepal is one of these countries. On the Nepal side the work is done by the EPS Korea Section of the Department of Foreign Employment (Lalitpur). On the Korea side it is done by HRD Korea under the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
- Register in an open round. Registration is online on Nepal’s EPS portal (eoers.epsnepal.gov.np) during the window in the official notice. You choose one sector.
- Take EPS-TOPIK. It is a computer-based Korean test held at the UBT test centre in Lalitpur. It is not the same as general TOPIK. See TOPIK vs EPS-TOPIK.
- Pass the skills and job-capacity test if your round has one, then the medical check.
- Join the job-seeker roster. Korean employers choose workers from this list. Passing the test does not give you a job. Read Passed EPS-TOPIK but no job offer?
- Sign the standard employment contract once an employer selects you. Check the wage, hours, housing and deductions. See the E-9 contract guide.
- Get the visa, take pre-departure training and fly to Korea. After arrival you take employment training and register for your residence card.
Wages follow Korean labour law. See the minimum wage guide for the current figures and the employment rights guide for overtime, severance and leave.
What the 2026 Nepal EPS-TOPIK round looked like
The first-phase round for 2026 was announced in July 2026. Nepali media reported these details from the EPS Korea Section notice. The registration window has closed, but the next round is likely to follow a similar pattern.
| Registration | July 27 to August 2, 2026, online only |
| Planned intake | 7,200 in total, with manufacturing the largest share (5,000). Reports differ slightly on the other sectors, which were agriculture and livestock, service and one small sector. |
| Age | 18 to 39 (born between July 28, 1986 and July 27, 2008) |
| Fee | US$28, paid in Nepali rupees |
| Not eligible | People with a criminal record, people deported from Korea, and people who already stayed 5 years or more in Korea on E-9 or E-10 |
| Result validity | 2 years from the result date |
These are reported figures, not a Korean government table. Before you register, check the current notice on the EPS Korea Section website or at its office in Lalitpur. The site’s E-9 guide covers the Korean side of the process.
E-7 from Nepal
E-7 is a sponsored work visa for professional and skilled jobs. You cannot apply for it alone. A Korean employer must offer you a job in a listed occupation, and you must meet that occupation’s degree or experience rule.
On August 13, 2026 the Embassy of Nepal in Seoul started demand attestation for E-7 workers. This is a step the Korean employer files with the embassy. It does not mean there is a public recruitment round, a quota or a date when anyone can apply. Our E-7 from Nepal guide explains what is open and the steps in order. To find an employer, see how to get an E-7 sponsor.
E-8 seasonal work from Nepal
Seasonal work (E-8) lasts up to 8 months. It is run by Korean cities and counties. On the agreement route, a Nepali municipality that has signed an agreement with a Korean local government selects its own residents. Private agents do not select workers on this route.
Some Korean counties brought in Nepali seasonal workers in the past. Later reports said the intake was paused because many workers did not return home. As of October 22, 2026 we found no official notice that recruitment from Nepal has restarted. If someone offers you a “2026 seasonal visa”, check both local governments by name first. The E-8 guide lists what to check. If the offer asks you to pass EPS-TOPIK, it is an E-9 offer, not E-8.
Study first: D-2, then D-10 or E-7
Many Nepalis go to Korea as students. You apply to a Korean university, then apply for a D-2 student visa at the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu. You need the admission letter and proof of funds. Before you leave Nepal, you also need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Nepal’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. In May 2025 the ministry temporarily stopped issuing NOCs for Korean-language courses, so check the current NOC rules before you pay a language school.
- As a student you can do limited part-time work with permission. See part-time work on D-2 or D-4.
- After graduation you can switch to the job-seeker visa (D-10) and look for work. See D-2 or D-4 to D-10.
- A job that meets the E-7 rules lets you change to E-7 inside Korea. See E-7 for international students.
- Graduates who move to a population-decline area may also qualify for F-2-R regional residency.
Already in Korea on E-9: the E-7-4 step
E-9 workers who stay long enough can move to the skilled-worker visa E-7-4 through the K-point system. You need at least 4 years on E-9, E-10 or H-2 in the last 10 years, an employer recommendation and enough points. E-7-4 allows a longer stay and family invitation. See E-9 vs E-7-4, the K-point score table and how to apply online.
Avoiding scams
- E-9 jobs come through the government. Registration, tests and roster are handled by the EPS Korea Section and HRD Korea. Nobody can buy you a place on the roster.
- Check fake notices. Nepal’s labour ministry has warned about fake notices promising thousands of Korea jobs. Compare any notice with the EPS Korea Section website.
- Ask for the employer’s name. A real E-7 or E-8 offer names the Korean company or local government. A vague promise to “arrange a visa” is not an offer.
- Don’t hand over your passport or pay a deposit before you can check the employer, the contract and the official route.
Frequently asked questions
Which office runs EPS in Nepal?
The EPS Korea Section of the Department of Foreign Employment, under the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security. It works with HRD Korea, which runs EPS-TOPIK for the Korean government.
What is the age limit for E-9 from Nepal?
18 to 39 in the 2026 round. Check the date-of-birth range in each new notice.
Does passing EPS-TOPIK mean I will go to Korea?
No. You join the job-seeker roster, and a Korean employer must select you. Your result is valid for 2 years.
Can I apply for E-7 myself from Nepal?
No. A Korean employer must offer you a qualifying job and start the process. The embassy’s demand attestation is also filed by the employer.
Is the Korea seasonal visa from Nepal open in 2026?
We found no official notice confirming that it has restarted as of October 22, 2026. Check with your municipality and Nepal’s Department of Foreign Employment before you pay anyone.
Is general TOPIK enough for an E-9 job?
No. E-9 uses EPS-TOPIK, a separate test taken in an official round. General TOPIK helps with study, E-7 and later visa changes.
Related guides
- E-9 visa guide
- E-7 from Nepal
- E-8 seasonal worker visa
- TOPIK vs EPS-TOPIK
- Work in Korea from Indonesia
Official references
- EPS Korea Section, Department of Foreign Employment (Nepal)
- EPS (Employment Permit System, Korea)
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal
- HiKorea: MOJ visa manual by status (revised August 7, 2026)
Information notice: This guide gives general information based on MOJ manuals, official notices and reports of the 2026 Nepal EPS round. It is not legal advice. Recruitment rounds, quotas and rules change, so check the current official notice before you register, sign or pay.