Introductiont to EPS Korea Medical Test in Nepal
You passed EPS-TOPIK. You cleared the skills and competency stage. Now a notice appears: go for your medical examination. For many candidates, this is the stage that causes the most worry, because it feels like a verdict on your body that you cannot study for.
The reality is less dramatic, but it deserves care. The medical test is a gate on the way to the job seekers’ roster. Korean rules treat it as mandatory, the details are set in official notices, and a small number of conditions can end an application. Most candidates who prepare sensibly, follow the notice exactly and stay honest go through without trouble.
This guide explains where the medical test sits in the EPS process, how Nepal has run it, which hospitals have been designated, what the examination usually covers, what the official standard notices say about health and fitness, how the process works step by step, and what to do if something is flagged. It also separates what is officially documented from what is only reported by guides and news, because medical details are exactly where unreliable advice spreads.
Toddle is a language institute and counselling centre in Hetauda. It does not run the EPS, does not conduct or influence medical tests and cannot change anyone’s result. This guide is for understanding, not for shortcuts.
The EPS Medical Test at a Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is a medical test required? | Yes. A candidate who passes the exams must also clear a health screening before a roster entry is compiled |
| Who runs it in Nepal? | The Department of Foreign Employment’s EPS Korea Section designates hospitals and publishes notices |
| When does it happen? | After the skills and competency stage, once the EPS Korea Section publishes the notice for health examination and the job application |
| Where? | At hospitals designated in the notice. Past lists have included Patan Hospital, Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Nepal-Korea Friendship Municipality Hospital and Civil Hospital |
| What is tested? | The notice sets the items. Commonly reported items are a physical exam, chest X-ray, blood and urine tests and an eye exam |
| What can disqualify a candidate? | Failing the medical checkup criteria. The standard notice names colour blindness or weakness, and infectious diseases such as syphilis, tuberculosis and hepatitis, among exclusions, and says conditions like a herniated disc or amputated fingers can lead to exclusion |
| Is it the last medical check? | No. Candidates who test positive for drugs after entering Korea may be returned home, per the standard notice |
| Can anyone help me “clear” it? | No. Official rules apply, and anyone who offers that is a scam |
Where the Medical Test Fits in the EPS Journey
The medical test is one stage among several, and it only makes sense in order.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. EPS-TOPIK | Language exam, with a colour-vision check |
| 2. Skills test and job capacity assessment | Fitness, interview, basic skills task and optional bonus documents |
| 3. Final selection | Highest combined scores within each industry’s quota |
| 4. Health screening | Medical examination at a designated hospital |
| 5. Job application | Documents, including the health certificate, submitted through the sending agency |
| 6. Roster | Nepal’s list goes to HRD Korea, which approves it |
Korea’s Ministry of Government Legislation describes the roster procedure this way: EPS-TOPIK passers who clear a health screening apply for roster registration during the job application window, the sending country’s agency compiles the roster and sends it to HRD Korea, and HRD Korea verifies and certifies it. Seoulstart’s EPS guide, citing HRD Korea, puts it as two gates: you must pass the exam and clear the mandatory health screening before your roster entry is compiled.
If you want the earlier stages explained, Toddle’s guide to the EPS point-based selection system shows how scores and the skills test work.
When You Are Called in Nepal
There is no fixed calendar date. The EPS Korea Section publishes a notice for each sector and round, and the health examination notice follows the skills and competency results.
Past examples show the pattern:
- 2024, manufacturing. The EPS Korea Section announced the skill test results, and passers were scheduled for a medical examination from 31 May to 3 June. The notice combined the health examination with registration of the job application form.
- 2026. For the 2025 round, the Agriculture and Livestock second-phase results were published on 27 April 2026, with 1,808 of 2,016 test-takers passing, and the Manufacturing second-phase results followed in May 2026. Medical and job application notices follow these results, and each has its own dates.
Your dates, venue and instructions are in your own notice, so read it fully and keep the page bookmarked. The official place is the EPS Korea Section’s notice page at epsnepal.gov.np/notices. Do not rely on a forwarded screenshot, because dates and hospitals can change.
Where the Test Is Done
Candidates are examined at hospitals that the EPS Korea Section designates. The list has changed over the years, and it is announced in each notice.
| Period | Reported designated hospitals |
|---|---|
| Early EPS years | Civil Service Hospital, Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Korea-Nepal Friendship Hospital and Patan Academy of Health Sciences, as reported by the Himalayan Times |
| 2024 manufacturing round | Patan Hospital (Lagankhel), Shukraraj Tropical Hospital (Teku), Nepal-Korea Friendship Municipality Hospital (Bhaktapur) and Civil Hospital (Minbhawan), as reported in press coverage of the notice |
Two rules follow. First, go only to a hospital named in your own notice. A report from an unlisted clinic is not what the process accepts. Second, go on the date assigned to you if the notice assigns dates. Hospitals handle thousands of candidates in a short window, so schedules matter.
What the Examination Includes
This is where precision matters. The official notice for your round sets the exact items, and different sources describe slightly different lists. Here is what is documented and what is only reported.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Physical examination (height, weight, blood pressure, general check) | Commonly reported |
| Chest X-ray for tuberculosis | Commonly reported |
| Blood tests | Commonly reported. The exact panel is set by the notice |
| Urine test | Commonly reported |
| Eye and colour-vision check | Colour vision is documented as an exam-stage requirement. Eye examination is commonly reported |
| Spine and hands | The standard notice says conditions such as a herniated disc or finger amputation are assessed |
| Infectious disease screening | The standard notice lists infectious diseases such as syphilis, tuberculosis and hepatitis as grounds for exclusion |
| Drug testing | The standard notice states that those who test positive for drugs after entering Korea may be returned home |
Early press coverage listed urine, blood and X-ray tests. Recent guides describe a general physical, chest X-ray, blood and urine tests and an eye exam, and some add HIV and drug screening. Because Korea changed some health requirements for other visa categories over the years, and lists written for other visas do not always apply to the EPS, treat any list from a blog as a guide, not a rule. Your notice and the hospital’s own form are the authority.
The Official Health Standards
Korea’s standard notice for the point-based selection system, issued by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and executed by HRD Korea, is the best official source on health and fitness. The February 2024 version, issued to sending countries, says the following.
Colour vision. Applicants with colour blindness or colour weakness are ineligible. The notice tells applicants to check their colour vision before applying, because the colour-vision assessment is part of the first round. This is therefore a pre-medical check, not something the hospital decides later.
Physical conditions. Applicants who have had a herniated disc, finger amputation or similar conditions may apply, but they are assessed in the second round for job capacity, and may be excluded from final consideration if judged unable to perform the job tasks. The notice also says that those who passed the first round may be excluded if the judges find them unqualified for specific industries because of other physical conditions.
Medical checkup criteria. The notice states that those restricted from employment in Korea, including those who fail the medical checkup criteria or have a history of illegal stay in Korea, are not eligible to be selected as job seekers.
Infectious diseases. Another copy of HRD Korea’s standard notice for the 2024 round lists individuals diagnosed with infectious diseases such as syphilis, tuberculosis and hepatitis among those excluded.
Drugs. Those who test positive for drugs after entry may be returned to their countries.
Roster status. Final successful candidates are qualified for the job seekers’ roster, but this does not guarantee employment in Korea.
What is not published
The notices do not publish numeric cut-offs such as blood pressure limits or body measurements, and they do not give a full list of every condition that could affect a decision. Be sceptical of any guide that claims precise thresholds. If you have a medical condition, the honest route is to disclose it, bring any documents and let the hospital and the process judge it.
For a view of how the physical demands connect to your sector choice, see Toddle’s guide on which EPS sector you should choose.
The Process, Step by Step
- Wait for your notice. After the skills and competency results, the EPS Korea Section publishes the health examination and job application notice for your sector.
- Check your name and date. Search the list by your registration number, not just your name. Confirm hospital, date and any assigned time.
- Gather documents. Follow the notice’s list. Guides commonly mention the original passport, passport-size photos and your exam admit card or slip, but the notice decides.
- Go to the designated hospital. Arrive on time, and carry your documents in a folder.
- Complete the tests. Follow staff instructions. Tell the doctor about any medicine you take or any condition you have.
- Collect or confirm your report as instructed. One guide says hospitals send reports to the EPS Section, while the job application later asks for a copy of the health certificate. Follow the notice rather than assuming.
- Submit the job application. The 2024 notice combined health examination with job application registration. The health examination certificate is among the documents requested.
- Wait for roster compilation. Nepal sends the roster to HRD Korea, which approves it.
Fees
The medical fee is paid at the hospital or as the notice directs. One 2026 guide reports around NPR 7,300, but I could not confirm that from an official notice, so treat any figure as unconfirmed until you see it in your own notice.
Keep a record
Photograph every page of your notice and keep your receipts, report copies and the hospital’s contact details. If any dispute arises, your records matter.
Preparing for the Day
You cannot study for a medical test, but you can arrive well.
- Sleep and eat normally unless the hospital gives other instructions. Ask whether any test requires fasting, because requirements differ by test.
- Know your history. Be ready to tell the doctor about past illnesses, injuries, surgeries and regular medicines. Hiding a condition is riskier than disclosing it.
- Do not take unprescribed or illegal substances. Korea tests for drugs, and the standard notice says a positive result after entry can lead to being sent home. If a doctor has prescribed medicine, tell the examiner and keep the prescription. Some guides for other Korean visas warn that certain painkillers can cause false positives, so disclose everything you take.
- Check your colour vision and eyesight early. Colour-vision deficiency is a pre-medical eligibility issue, so ideally you learn the answer before your exam registration.
- Look after your back and hands. The notice names spine and finger conditions as matters for assessment. If you have had an injury, bring any medical records.
- Bring your documents and a pen. Do not bring anyone’s pass or someone else’s report.
If Something Is Flagged
A flagged result does not always mean the end, but your options depend on what was found.
| Situation | What it generally means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A treatable condition | The hospital may note it | Ask about treatment and whether a re-examination is allowed under your notice |
| A condition named in the standard notice | It may lead to exclusion from the roster | Ask the EPS Korea Section what the process allows. Do not argue with the hospital |
| Colour-vision deficiency | Ineligible at the exam stage | Nothing in the notice allows an exception |
| A positive drug test after entering Korea | May lead to being returned home | Prevention is the only route |
| A mistake in your report (name, date, passport) | Likely a clerical issue | Ask the hospital to correct it and tell the EPS Korea Section |
The notices do not describe an appeal route, and I could not find a published rule on re-testing. If you are flagged, ask the EPS Korea Section directly in writing, and keep every document. Submitting false documents of any kind is a serious risk, because the standard notice says falsified documents lead to nullified results and a four-year ban from applying to the EPS.
After You Are Selected: Health Checks in Korea
The Nepal medical is not the only health step.
- Drug testing. The standard notice says those who test positive for drugs after entry may be returned home.
- Korean hospitals offer E-9 packages. Some Korean hospitals list an E-9 drug test package that includes a chest X-ray, blood and urine tests, which suggests testing in Korea is a normal part of the process. Your employer and training centre will tell you what applies.
- Post-arrival training. E-9 workers must complete post-arrival training within 15 days of arrival, with a legal minimum of 16 hours covering safety and health, labour law and daily life.
- Health insurance. After arrival, you join Korea’s insurance systems through your employer.
Toddle’s guide on what not to do in Korea covers workplace and daily-life basics that help you stay on the right side of the rules.
Scams and Red Flags
Anxiety about the medical test creates a market for scams.
| If someone says... | The truth |
|---|---|
| “Pay and I will make sure you pass the medical” | No one can. The hospital and the process decide |
| “Go to my clinic instead of the listed hospital” | Use only hospitals named in your notice |
| “I can give you a clean report” | A forged or purchased report risks nullified results and a four-year ban |
| “Pay to avoid the colour-vision rule” | Colour-vision deficiency makes an applicant ineligible. No payment changes that |
| “Hide your condition and I will handle it” | Hiding conditions can cause bigger trouble later |
| “Send your passport and original certificates” | Keep control of your documents |
The legitimate costs are the official ones, and no private person is authorised to take part in EPS selection. Report requests for informal payments to the EPS Korea Section.
Prepare With Toddle Multipurpose Company
Toddle, a Korean and Japanese language institute and study-abroad counselling company in Hetauda since 2018, helps Nepali learners build Korean for EPS-TOPIK and for work in Korea. Its EPS-TOPIK Korean language class covers reading and listening practice in the exam format, and its notice board shares class and exam updates, though the official EPS Korea Section notices are always the authority.
Toddle has no role in medical examinations, cannot influence results and cannot place anyone on the roster. If you are planning your next steps, whether that is a new EPS round, another route or a study plan, counselling can help you think it through. Toddle’s overview of working and studying in South Korea from Nepal explains the study route, and the EPS-TOPIK 2026 exam schedule explains the current exam round. If you are preparing for an exam day that includes the colour-vision check, the EPS-TOPIK exam day checklist helps you arrive ready.
- Book a free counselling session to plan your preparation and timeline.
- Visit the contact page for directions and ways to reach the team.
Message Toddle on WhatsApp: +977 976-9741767
You can also call +977 57-525392 or visit Toddle at School Road, Hetauda-4, Makwanpur. For official information, check the EPS Korea Section’s notices at epsnepal.gov.np, HRD Korea’s EPS-TOPIK site and the English section of eps.go.kr.
Frequently Asked Questions about EPS Korea Medical Test in Nepal
1. Is a medical test compulsory for EPS Korea from Nepal?
Yes. EPS-TOPIK passers must clear a health screening before applying for roster registration, and Korean rules say those who fail the medical checkup criteria are not eligible to be selected as job seekers.
2. When is the medical test held?
After the skills and competency stage. The EPS Korea Section publishes a notice for the health examination and job application for each sector and round, with its own dates.
3. Where is the medical test done in Nepal?
At hospitals designated in the notice. Past lists reported by the press have included Patan Hospital, Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Nepal-Korea Friendship Municipality Hospital and Civil Hospital. Use only those named in your notice.
4. What tests are included?
The notice sets the items. Guides commonly report a physical examination, chest X-ray, blood and urine tests and an eye exam. Check your notice and the hospital’s form rather than relying on a blog list.
5. Is there an HIV test?
Some guides list one, but requirements differ by visa category and have changed over time. Follow your notice. If you are unsure, ask the hospital or the EPS Korea Section.
6. Is there a drug test?
The standard notice says those who test positive for drugs after entering Korea may be returned to their countries. Some guides also mention drug screening at the Nepal stage, so check your notice.
7. Does colour blindness disqualify me?
Yes. Applicants with colour blindness or colour weakness are ineligible, and the standard notice tells applicants to check their colour vision before applying.
8. What about a herniated disc or finger amputation?
Applicants with such conditions may apply, but they are assessed in the second round for job capacity and may be excluded from final consideration if judged unable to perform the work.
9. Which diseases can lead to exclusion?
A copy of HRD Korea’s standard notice lists infectious diseases such as syphilis, tuberculosis and hepatitis among exclusions. The notices do not publish a complete list of conditions or numeric cut-offs.
10. How much does the medical test cost?
The fee is set in the notice and paid as it directs. One 2026 guide reports about NPR 7,300, but I could not confirm it from an official notice.
11. What should I bring?
Follow the notice. Guides commonly mention the original passport, passport-size photos and your exam admit card or slip. Bring your registration number and any medical records you have.
12. How long are the results valid?
I could not find a published validity period for the Nepal medical certificate. Final successful candidate status is valid for two years from the results announcement, so ask the EPS Korea Section about your certificate.
13. Do I need a police report as well?
Early press coverage said candidates needed both a medical pass and a police report to apply for employment. Your job application notice lists the current documents.
14. What happens if I fail the medical test?
You are not eligible to be selected as a job seeker if you fail the medical checkup criteria. The notices do not describe an appeal route, so ask the EPS Korea Section in writing.
15. Can I retake the test?
I could not find a published rule on re-testing. Ask the EPS Korea Section and follow its written answer.
16. Can an agent help me pass?
No. No private agent or individual is authorised to take part in EPS selection, and anyone offering to arrange a pass is a scam.
17. What if a document I submit is false?
The standard notice says falsified documents lead to nullified results, a four-year ban from applying to the EPS and possible legal action.
18. Will I be tested again in Korea?
The standard notice says drug testing can occur after entry and that a positive result may lead to being returned home. Your employer and training centre will tell you what else applies.
19. Does passing the medical test guarantee a job?
No. Final successful candidates are qualified for the job seekers’ roster, but this does not guarantee employment in Korea.
20. Does Toddle conduct or influence medical tests?
No. Toddle offers Korean classes, EPS-TOPIK practice and counselling. It has no role in medical examinations or roster selection.
EPS procedures, hospital lists, fees and health requirements change by round and notice. Before you act, confirm current details with the EPS Korea Section (Department of Foreign Employment), HRD Korea and your own notice.
