A guide: How to apply as a Factory Worker in South Korea

Many of Filipinos have been yearning to work as a factory worker abroad especially in Japan, Taiwan, or South Korea, because why not- the salary is attractive and it's a great way to level up your career, that is if you can endure homesickness for a year and up. If you are one of those who aspires to work abroad as a factory worker, you may read this article up to the end because we are going to share with you a step-by-step procedure on how to apply as a factory worker in the Land of Morning Calm South Korea.

Step 1: Qualifications.

Check if you possess the qualifications of being a factory worker in South Korea below.

1. Passport holder.
2. Person aged between 18 and 38.
3. Person who fits for medical check-up decided by Korean Government.
4. Person with no criminal record in relation to serious offense punishable by imprisonment.
5. Person who does not have previous record of deportation/eviction order.

Step 2: Application.

Know where to apply. Note that only the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) which is now Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) can process your applications and no agency are involved since it is a government-to-governmemt arrangement. To make things clear, the Employment Permit System (EPS) for factory workers is an innovative temporary labor migration scheme for low-skilled workers from 15 countries and that includes the Philippines with which Korea has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Step 3: Korean Language.

Nope, you are not going to bring your resume to POEA and suddenly barge in there. First thing you must do is study the Korean Language for the Language Proficiency Examination. You can either enroll in Korean Language Schools/Centers or do a self-study.

Step 4: E-registration.

Create your E-registration to POEA here https://onlineservices.dmw.gov.ph/ Make sure that the information you will provide are true and correct and avoid committing typographical error when filling out the online form or else you will be disqualified immediately.

Anyway, the good thing here is that the registration for the 6th recruitment of EPS workers are ongoing today (August 10-12, 2022- firt batch) and (August 17-19,2022- second batch) from 8am-5pm. They will accept 8,000 applicants for the first batch and 12,000 applicants for the second batch. You may check the link here.

Step 5: Examination.

For the examination, you are required to pay more or less P1,300. The examination is pure Korean which consists of 2 rounds, the EPS-TOPIK/KLT (language test) for round 1 and skills test for round 2. Ensure to pass both.

Step 6: Result.

Of course, you will need to wait for the result whether you pass the application or not. Upong passing, you will have to undergo a medical check-up (hepatitis, color blind, and lung scar test) and submit it to POEA.

Step 7: Employer.

Waiting for employer is the longest process so far. Although others found their employer after a month, some applicants have to wait for a year. Nevertheless, once you got your employer you must undergo a medical test again and submit it to POEA followed by signing of contract.

Step 7: Requirements.

You may now prepare your documentary requirements. Beforehand, you have to open UMID accounts or if you have existing accounts you need to contribute in SSS and Pag-IBIG for at least 1 quarter and an annual contribution for PhilHealth. You are also required to pay more or less P23,000 to POEA for the visa and plane ticket. Since we are still in the pandemic, applicants should have 2 vaccinations and 1 booster.

Step 8: Training.

A 5-day training will also be conducted in the POEA. Afterwards you will now wait for the tentative entry date subsequently the PDOS (Pre-Departure Online Seminar).

Step 9: Flight.

Once you departed to Korea, you are required to undergo a 3-day training in Traing Centers consecutively a medical test again. So, always make sure to not fake your medical results if you don't want to go back in the Philippines right away.

And that's it! We hope you are able to grasp the application process! Bon Voyage!