The Center for Overseas Labor, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has announced plans to select 3,300 workers to participate in the Employment Permit System (EPS) program, aimed at sending Vietnamese labor to South Korea. This initiative marks another step forward for individuals seeking employment opportunities abroad, particularly within the manufacturing and agriculture sectors.
Scheduled for 2025, the selection process encompasses two primary industries: manufacturing—where approximately 3,000 workers are expected to be needed—and agriculture, which will require around 300 laborers. This reflects South Korea's continued demand for international workers to fill roles often hard to occupy locally. The EPS program has been instrumental for many Vietnamese citizens hoping to gain employment opportunities overseas.
To qualify for this opportunity, applicants must participate in two rounds of examinations. The first round is the Korean language proficiency test, known as EPS-TOPIK, which serves as a gatekeeper for those attempting to advance to the next level. Only those who succeed here will be permitted to participate in the second round, which consists of skill assessments and competency evaluations.
Registration for the examination is set to take place from March 31 to April 2, 2025, with the Korean language tests to be conducted from April 21 until June 27. Following this, practical skills tests are scheduled between July 28 and August 1.
Applicants must comply with several criteria to be eligible for consideration. They should be between the ages of 18 and 39, hold no criminal record, and must not have been previously deported from South Korea. They also need to be medically fit, which entails passing health checks excluding serious conditions such as tuberculosis or drug-related issues.
Notably, if candidates have previously been residing in South Korea under visa E9 (EPS labor) or visa E10 (fishermen), their cumulative time spent must not exceed five years, including both legal and illegal stays. It is explicitly stated by the Center for Overseas Labor: cThe expected number of people who meet the requirements will be about 3,300 people.
This year, the EPS program continues to grow, with nearly 45,000 laborers casting their hats for approximately 15,400 positions last year, which signifies the robustness of the interest from Vietnamese workers toward overseas employment.
Beyond just the EPS program, there's been significant movement between Vietnam and South Korea concerning labor issues. On March 6, 2025, the province of Hau Giang and Cheorwon district of Gangwon province, South Korea, reached agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation for sending seasonal workers. This agreement is anticipated to create many job opportunities for workers within Vietnam and establish a reliable workforce for the consistent demands within the agricultural sector of South Korea.
This collaborative effort was not the first of its kind; between 2022 and 2024, Hau Giang province and Cheorwon district signed agreements on three separate occasions to facilitate labor exchange programs. Close to 500 workers from the province have already been successfully sent to Cheorwon, contributing positively to local employment and income elevation efforts.
At the signing ceremony, Hau Giang’s Vice Secretary, Nguyen Tuan Anh, articulated the importance of such arrangements. He highlighted how sending labor abroad not only alleviates unemployment issues but also expands workers' skillsets and experiences, which can be invaluable upon their return to Vietnam.
With the increasing cooperation, there are hopeful prospects for the future, as it aims not just to maintain but to boost the number of workers being sent overseas for employment expeditions. The government's clear focus on cultivating these opportunities has piqued interest among the workforce seeking to build their careers globally.
While the process is showing promise, officials remind applicants and those interested to remain vigilant against potential fraud. The Center for Overseas Labor operates uniquely as the sole authority tasked with sending Vietnamese workers to South Korea under the EPS. Misleading entities attempting to exploit this program have been noted, and it is imperative for candidates to understand the guidelines to avoid such pitfalls.
Overall, the EPS program alongside targeted regional agreements signifies Vietnam’s commitment to international workforce participation, encapsulating not just the transfer of labor but the sharing of skills, experiences, and contributions to economies on both sides. With the rigorous preparation underway, thousands of hopefuls will be preparing to seize this pivotal opportunity.