Korea is one of the most sought after destination of Filipinos to work. Aside from the promising salary, Korea is also famous in the Philippines because of Kpop and the Korean drama. The image of Korea shown in the media entices Filipinos to go to Korea and work. However, one must know that there is only very limited job market for foreigners in Korea. You have to compete with the Koreans who were trained and educated to obtain skills necessary and intended for Korean corporation. Learning the language alone is very challenging and yes, difficult. Language is one of the most important qualifications here in Korea, unless otherwise you'll teach English, the knowledge in Korean language is a must to get a job.
Hopeless as it may sounds. Korea is not completely burning bridges for foreigners who want to work in the country. There are several opportunities especially for Filipinos for the year 2015 and the upcoming years. This is a sign that Korea is becoming open to the idea of letting Filipinos to penetrate in their job market. As of now, there are limited opportunities but if you find yourself fit in the position, the next step would be to market yourself to Korean companies so you could pack your back and go to Korea and work.
As of this year, there are total of almost 50,000 Filipinos in Korea and there are a lot of undocumented stayers that are not included in that number. Now, let's look at the possible jobs that Filipinos can acquire in Korea for the year 2015.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: As you can see, this blogpost has been flooded with questions. I could no longer answer questions here. If you have questions, CLICK HERE to see if it has been answered in the FAQ. If not, just leave your question in the comment box of that page.
1. Factory Worker
UPDATE: CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF POEA FOR KLT 13
Based on the statistics, most Filipinos are here in Korea to work as a Factory worker or in manufacturing industry. Through the program called Exam Permit System or EPS, foreigners including Filipinos can apply a job in the manufacturing industry. To apply as a factory worker, you must be between 18 and 38 years old, you should have no records of imprisonment for a heinous crime, no record of deportation or departure orders from Korea, must not be restricted from departure from Philippines, must be physically and mentally fit, at least a high school graduate and with a minimum work experience of 1 year.
How to apply as a Factory Worker in Korea?
You MUST ONLY apply at POEA or Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. You should not apply to any agency or any person for this. This is a direct agreement between Korea and Philippines so all transaction must be done right within POEA. If somebody or an agency is recruiting you for this, please double check. Wait for an announcement from POEA website for the Korean Language Test. There is no specific date for this, POEA announces this at any random dates within the year. Usually, they conduct KLT in the Philippines 2 to 3 times a year. You better watch out for the announcement, keep checking POEA website so you could register yourself.
Once you passed the Korean Language Test, POEA will further instruct you to provide requirements for the selection process. The total cost for job seekers from taking the language exam to your departure would be around 30, 000 pesos to 40, 000 pesos. The salary also depends on the number of hours you work in the company. For a minimum wage, salary may range from 35,000 pesos to 40,000 pesos. If you work overtime and you work hard enough, you may get up to 70,000 pesos salary as a factory worker.
You can read full information on How to Apply as Factory Worker in Korea HERE.
2. Engineers
If you have the right skill and up for the competition, you may land on an engineering job here in Korea. There are a lot of good Korean engineers, but Korea is also open to Filipino engineers who are very exemplary in their field of expertise. In fact, there are several Filipino engineers here in Korea. According to the statistics, out of more than 50,000 Filipinos in Korea (including illegal stayers), there are 787 E-7 Visa holders or professionals working here and that includes the Filipino Engineers. It's very small compared to the more than 20,000 factory workers but still, it's a good sign that Filipino engineers are welcome to work in Korea, albeit tough and restricted. Needless to say that it needs a very remarkable skill to work as an engineer and Korea can still accept more workers in this field for the year 2015.
3. Arts and Performances
Filipino talents are being admired by Koreans. Singers, theatre actors and other skills in terms of arts and performances are very much welcome here in Korea. Korea is open for Filipino entertainers since then and it continues to welcome more and more entertainers as time goes by. So the year 2015 could be a good year for those who are into arts and performances. Usually, you can apply for this through agencies in the Philippines. Just always make sure that the agency is legal and credited by the POEA.
Other possible jobs for Filipinos in Korea for the year 2015 are Professors, Researchers, and household workers, but there could be a slim chance for these jobs for Filipinos as Korea prefers other foreign workers or their own native Koreans to take over the job. There are several Filipinos working in these fields but you can count them with your fingers, so this might not be a job market for Filipinos.
Korea is a beautiful country and it is possible to come here and work. You just have to improve yourself and update your skills to keep up with the competition. In the year 2015, Korea is planning to hire more Filipinos especially in the field of manufacturing because they like the handiwork of Filipinos and their attitude when it comes to work. Hoping for a bright future for Korea and for the Filipinos who will venture to find a job in the country.
Hopeless as it may sounds. Korea is not completely burning bridges for foreigners who want to work in the country. There are several opportunities especially for Filipinos for the year 2015 and the upcoming years. This is a sign that Korea is becoming open to the idea of letting Filipinos to penetrate in their job market. As of now, there are limited opportunities but if you find yourself fit in the position, the next step would be to market yourself to Korean companies so you could pack your back and go to Korea and work.
As of this year, there are total of almost 50,000 Filipinos in Korea and there are a lot of undocumented stayers that are not included in that number. Now, let's look at the possible jobs that Filipinos can acquire in Korea for the year 2015.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: As you can see, this blogpost has been flooded with questions. I could no longer answer questions here. If you have questions, CLICK HERE to see if it has been answered in the FAQ. If not, just leave your question in the comment box of that page.
1. Factory Worker
UPDATE: CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF POEA FOR KLT 13
Based on the statistics, most Filipinos are here in Korea to work as a Factory worker or in manufacturing industry. Through the program called Exam Permit System or EPS, foreigners including Filipinos can apply a job in the manufacturing industry. To apply as a factory worker, you must be between 18 and 38 years old, you should have no records of imprisonment for a heinous crime, no record of deportation or departure orders from Korea, must not be restricted from departure from Philippines, must be physically and mentally fit, at least a high school graduate and with a minimum work experience of 1 year.
How to apply as a Factory Worker in Korea?
You MUST ONLY apply at POEA or Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. You should not apply to any agency or any person for this. This is a direct agreement between Korea and Philippines so all transaction must be done right within POEA. If somebody or an agency is recruiting you for this, please double check. Wait for an announcement from POEA website for the Korean Language Test. There is no specific date for this, POEA announces this at any random dates within the year. Usually, they conduct KLT in the Philippines 2 to 3 times a year. You better watch out for the announcement, keep checking POEA website so you could register yourself.
Once you passed the Korean Language Test, POEA will further instruct you to provide requirements for the selection process. The total cost for job seekers from taking the language exam to your departure would be around 30, 000 pesos to 40, 000 pesos. The salary also depends on the number of hours you work in the company. For a minimum wage, salary may range from 35,000 pesos to 40,000 pesos. If you work overtime and you work hard enough, you may get up to 70,000 pesos salary as a factory worker.
You can read full information on How to Apply as Factory Worker in Korea HERE.
2. Engineers
If you have the right skill and up for the competition, you may land on an engineering job here in Korea. There are a lot of good Korean engineers, but Korea is also open to Filipino engineers who are very exemplary in their field of expertise. In fact, there are several Filipino engineers here in Korea. According to the statistics, out of more than 50,000 Filipinos in Korea (including illegal stayers), there are 787 E-7 Visa holders or professionals working here and that includes the Filipino Engineers. It's very small compared to the more than 20,000 factory workers but still, it's a good sign that Filipino engineers are welcome to work in Korea, albeit tough and restricted. Needless to say that it needs a very remarkable skill to work as an engineer and Korea can still accept more workers in this field for the year 2015.
3. Arts and Performances
Filipino talents are being admired by Koreans. Singers, theatre actors and other skills in terms of arts and performances are very much welcome here in Korea. Korea is open for Filipino entertainers since then and it continues to welcome more and more entertainers as time goes by. So the year 2015 could be a good year for those who are into arts and performances. Usually, you can apply for this through agencies in the Philippines. Just always make sure that the agency is legal and credited by the POEA.
Other possible jobs for Filipinos in Korea for the year 2015 are Professors, Researchers, and household workers, but there could be a slim chance for these jobs for Filipinos as Korea prefers other foreign workers or their own native Koreans to take over the job. There are several Filipinos working in these fields but you can count them with your fingers, so this might not be a job market for Filipinos.
Korea is a beautiful country and it is possible to come here and work. You just have to improve yourself and update your skills to keep up with the competition. In the year 2015, Korea is planning to hire more Filipinos especially in the field of manufacturing because they like the handiwork of Filipinos and their attitude when it comes to work. Hoping for a bright future for Korea and for the Filipinos who will venture to find a job in the country.