Selected Lao workers pose for a group photo at Wattay International Airport before departing for jobs in South Korea.

EPS-TOPIK registration announced for South Korea work programme
 
Job seekers aspiring to work in South Korea can register for the upcoming Employment Permit System (EPS) selection process starting this September, offering a pathway to employment with durations extending up to nearly a decade for dedicated workers.
The recruitment drive is managed jointly by the Department of Employment under the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, and the EPS Center in Laos under South Korea’s Human Resources Development Service (HRD Korea).

Candidates take the Korean language proficiency exam as part of the EPS evaluation process.

Examiners observe candidates during the skills test.

Key registration dates and locations
Registration and information sessions will be held in two locations for the late 2026 intake, which aims to select 500 workers:
Savannakhet province: An information session will be held on September 3. 
On-site registration runs from September 3 until 11:30am on September 4.
Vientiane: Registration at the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare will take place from September 7 to 11.
Examination schedule
Candidates must successfully navigate a two-stage evaluation process:
EPS-TOPIK Language Proficiency Test (First Round): Scheduled for October 2026 to assess essential workplace Korean language skills.
Skills Test (Second Round): Scheduled for November 2026 for candidates who pass the initial language assessment.
Authorities note that the skills test features updated content designed to align more closely with modern workplace requirements.
Applicants can review the revised testing topics and tutorial videos via official YouTube channels.

Applicants prepare for evaluations in the hope of securing jobs under South Korea’s Employment Permit System.

Employment terms and job duration
Under the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), workers who secure employment can initially sign a three-year contract. This can be extended by one year and 10 months provided the employee remains at their final workplace for more than a year.
Dedicated workers who complete their terms and return home can work in South Korea for a cumulative total of up to nine years and eight months. Currently, approximately 4,400 Lao nationals are employed in South Korea through the EPS framework.

Selected applicants prepare to depart for South Korea to take up employment.

Application process and important notice
Applicants who pass both the language and skills tests, alongside mandatory health checks, will be entered into the official job seeker roster valid for two years. Employers in South Korea select candidates directly from this roster to sign employment contracts.
Officials emphasise that passing the exams and being on the roster does not automatically guarantee placement, as final selection rests with prospective employers.
Contact information
For further inquiries regarding registration and test preparation, applicants can reach out via the following channels:
Facebook: Eps Laos / Laos EPS Center
(Tel: 021 220013)
Facebook: ກົມ ການຈັດຫາງານ / Department of Employment
(Tel: 020 99535433)

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update August 3, 2026)