The Employment Permit System (EPS) is a government-to-government program with very strict, non-negotiable rules. If you do not meet every single requirement, you cannot apply.
Let's cover the two biggest barriers to entry: the Age Limit and the Health Requirements.
The #1 Blocker: The EPS-TOPIK Age Limit
This is the most common and painful reason for disqualification.
The official EPS-TOPIK age limit is 18 to 38 years old.
What does this mean?
You must be at least 18 years old on the day you register.
You must NOT have had your 39th birthday. Once you turn 39, you are no longer eligible to apply for the program.
This rule is firm and has no exceptions.
If you are 38 years old and 11 months, you are still eligible to register. If you are 39 years old, even by one day, you are not.
The "Go/No-Go" Eligibility List (2026)
If you pass the age requirement, you must also say "YES" to all of the following:
Citizenship: You must be a Filipino citizen.
Education: You must be at least a high school graduate.
Criminal Record: You must have no criminal record for a serious offense in the Philippines.
Korea History (Legal): You must have never been deported or forcibly made to leave South Korea.
Korea History (Stay): You must have never overstayed your visa (stayed illegally) in SouthK orea.
PH Travel Status: You must not have any travel restrictions (a "ban") preventing you from leaving the Philippines.
The Automatic "Health" Disqualifiers
This is the second major hurdle where many applicants are unfortunately disqualified.
Color-Blindness / Color Weakness: This is an automatic disqualifier. The manufacturing industry requires workers to distinguish between colors for safety (e.g., warning lights, wires). You will be tested for this, and there is no appeal.
Physical Ability: You must be physically fit for manual labor. Conditions like a severe herniated disc (slipped disc) or an amputated finger can be grounds for disqualification.
Infectious Diseases: You must be free from infectious diseases. You will be tested for Tuberculosis (TB), Hepatitis, and others during your medical exam after you pass the test.
The Verdict: Are You Eligible?
If you are:
Between 18 and 38 years old...
A high school graduate with a clean criminal and travel record...
AND you are not color-blind...
...then congratulations, you are eligible to apply!
Your next step is to prepare all the documents you'll need for registration.
➡️ See the full list of documents:
[EPS-TOPIK Requirements for Filipinos: A Complete Checklist 2026]
➡️ Get the full overview of the program:
[The Ultimate 2026 Guide to EPS-TOPIK for Filipinos]
Next Steps: Make Every Moment Count
If you checked the list and confirmed you are eligible—especially if you are nearing the age limit—you know that time is your most valuable asset. You have a limited window to secure your future, and you cannot afford to waste months on inefficient study methods.
To ensure you are maximizing every hour of your preparation, make Pinoy Seoul Radio your daily study partner. Our app provides a curated stream of Korean content that helps create a focused, immersive environment, boosting your productivity and keeping your motivation high as you race against the clock.
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