Korean Embassy in PH awaits guidelines for issuance of E-9 visas for Pinoy workers
The Korean Embassy in the Philippines is awaiting guidelines from the South Korean government on the issuance of E-9 visas for Filipino workers under the Employment Permit System (EPS).
This after the Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) announced on Nov. 5 that South Korea will now allow the entry of EPS workers from the Philippines, Myanmar, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan subject to pre-departure conditions such as full vaccination and negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results.

Lee Wonsik, counsellor at the economic section of the Korean Embassy in the Philippines, told Manila Bulletin that the embassy is waiting for instructions regarding the processing of E-9 visas for Filipino workers.
“The embassy is expecting some instructions from the headquarters,” he said.
Korea’s labor ministry said workers from the Philippines, Myanmar, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, countries classified by South Korea as high-risk, will be able to get visas 14 days after being fully vaccinated with World Health Organization (WHO)-approved vaccines in their countries.
“Yes, correct. 14 days after fully vaccinated,” said Lee.
Lee said there will be no new procedures on the processing of E-9 visas except for the requirement from workers to secure a vaccination certificate.
Filipino EPS workers also need to show negative PCR test results, conducted at hospitals designated by the Korean Embassy, within 72 hours before boarding their flight to South Korea.
The labor ministry added that all foreign workers, regardless whether they are vaccinated or not, must undergo a 10-day quarantine period upon their arrival in South Korea at a facility operated by the government.
For workers who are fully vaccinated, two people will be allowed to quarantine in one room. For those who are not vaccinated, only one person per room will be allowed.
Due to the ban on foreign workers in South Korea, local companies have experienced a shortage in workers.
The Philippines is one of the sending countries to South Korea under EPS, a government-to-government program that allows Korean companies to hire foreign workers in sectors such as agriculture, fishery, construction and manufacturing.