How to Register for TOPIK in Korea (and from Abroad)

You need two things to register for TOPIK: an account on topik.go.kr and a few minutes during the registration window (접수기간). This guide walks through the full process — for candidates in Korea and for those registering from outside Korea.

If you haven't yet decided whether to take TOPIK I or TOPIK II, read TOPIK Levels Explained first. If you're taking TOPIK for visa points, see TOPIK for F-2 Points and Korean Residency.

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Before you register

Three things to sort out before you open topik.go.kr.

Decide: TOPIK I or TOPIK II

TOPIK I (한국어능력시험 I) covers Levels 1 and 2 and tests listening and reading. TOPIK II (한국어능력시험 II) covers Levels 3 through 6 and adds a writing section. They are separate tests with separate registration slots. If you are unsure which one fits your level, the TOPIK Levels Explained guide has a decision tree.

Decide: PBT or IBT

PBT (지필시험) is the standard paper-based format, available at the most locations. IBT (인터넷기반시험) is taken on a computer at a designated IBT center. Both produce the same TOPIK certificate. IBT results come faster — about 2-3 weeks versus 5-7 weeks for PBT. IBT fees are higher. If speed matters to you (for example, a visa deadline), IBT may be worth it.

Have your ID and photo ready

You will need a valid passport or your ARC (외국인등록증) to register. The name entered during registration must match the name on your ID exactly.

You will also upload a photo during registration. The specifications are strict: JPG format, 3x4 cm size (354x472 pixels), under 200 KB, color, taken within the last 6 months, no hat or sunglasses, face fully visible. A photo that does not meet the specifications can be rejected, which can delay or void your registration.

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When TOPIK is administered

In Korea

Korea runs six PBT sessions per year. The 2026 schedule is (as of 2026 — verify current dates at topik.go.kr):

IBT runs on a separate schedule in 2026, with six sessions (11th through 16th IBT) on Feb 28, Mar 21, Jun 13, Sep 12, Oct 24, and Nov 28. The Speaking evaluation runs three times in 2026 (10th through 12th) on Mar 21, Jun 13, and Oct 24.

Registration windows are 7 days long. NIIED registration windows open at 10:00 KST on day one. Seats at popular Seoul centers can fill within the first day or two. Register on day one.

Outside Korea

Overseas TOPIK runs fewer sessions per year than Korea, and the number varies by country. Some countries offer one or two sessions annually; others may offer more. TOPIK IBT is available overseas in an expanding list of countries — for 2026, this includes Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, USA (including Guam), and several others.

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Step-by-step: registering from Korea

All Korea-based TOPIK registration goes through www.topik.go.kr. The site has an English-language option — use the language selector at the top of the page. The topik.go.kr registration site works best in Chrome on desktop. Mobile browsers are not reliably supported; some sessions may behave oddly in non-Chrome browsers.

Step 1. Create your account

Go to topik.go.kr and create an account before the registration window opens. Account creation is separate from registration. Do not wait until registration day to create your account — you may lose time when seats are filling.

Step 2. Open the registration window

When the 접수기간 (registration period) opens at 10:00 KST on day one, log in and click "Register for TOPIK" (수험원서 접수). This button is only active during registration windows.

Step 3. Select your test

Choose your format (PBT or IBT), level (TOPIK I or TOPIK II), and test date.

Step 4. Choose a test center

Select a 고사장 (test center) and check available seats. Seats at popular Seoul centers can fill within the first day or two. If your preferred center is full, choose the next available option rather than waiting. You cannot change your test center after this step.

Step 5. Enter your personal information

Enter your name, date of birth, and gender exactly as they appear on your ID. These fields cannot be changed after you select a test center.

Step 6. Upload your photo

Upload a photo meeting the specifications above (JPG, 3x4 cm, 354x472 px, under 200 KB, color, recent, no hat or glasses). A rejected photo requires resubmission and can cost you a seat.

Step 7. Review and use the correction period

After submitting, there is a correction period (정정기간) during which you can update your photo and some personal details. Name, date of birth, and gender cannot be changed. Check topik.go.kr My Page (마이페이지) for the correction window dates for your session.

Step 8. Pay

Two payment methods are accepted in Korea:

• Credit card: payment must be completed by 4:00 PM on the day you register.
• Virtual account bank transfer (가상계좌): payment due by 11:59 PM on the day you register.

Missing the payment deadline cancels your registration. Confirm payment on My Page.

Step 9. Save your admission ticket

Download and save your admission ticket from My Page. Bring it on test day along with your ID.

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Step-by-step: registering from abroad

Outside Korea, TOPIK is not registered through topik.go.kr. Each country has a designated administering institution, typically one of the following:

• Korean Cultural Center (한국문화원)
• Korean Education Center (한국교육원) at the Korean embassy or consulate
• A partnered university or Korean studies department

Registration methods, timelines, and fees are set independently by each institution. Some use online forms; others require in-person registration. Some countries have limited seats and close registration early.

How to find your country's institution

Start with the TOPIK international registration directory at topik.go.kr or with the Korean Cultural Center or Korean embassy in your country. For the countries where most Seoulstart readers are based:

• Vietnam: Contact the Korean Cultural Center Vietnam (한국문화원 베트남). IBT is also available in Vietnam through local partner institutions. Confirm the current IBT registrar and schedule with the Korean Cultural Center Vietnam.
• Philippines: Contact the Korean Cultural Center Philippines or partnered universities. Walk-in registration may be required at some locations. Verify fees and dates directly — specific fee amounts were not confirmed during research for this guide.
• Japan: Registration is handled online through the Korea Educational Foundation (KREF, kref.or.jp). Check KREF for current session dates and fees in yen.
• United States: Regional Korean Cultural Centers in New York, San Francisco, Washington DC, Houston, and other cities each run their own registration. Fees are approximately $40 for TOPIK I and $55 for TOPIK II at most US locations (as of the 105th exam — verify for the current session with your regional center). Payment methods vary by center.

For all other countries, contact the Korean Cultural Center or Korean Education Center in your country. Their websites and contact details are typically listed on the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs or NIIED websites.

Overseas fees

Fees outside Korea are set locally and vary by country and institution. They are generally lower than Korea IBT fees but may be higher or lower than Korea PBT fees depending on location. Do not assume the Korea fee schedule applies. Always confirm the fee with the institution in your country before registration opens.

IBT overseas

TOPIK IBT is available in an expanding list of countries. For 2026, confirmed IBT locations outside Korea include Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, China (including Hong Kong), Japan, USA (including Guam), Romania, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Laos, and Bahrain. If IBT is available in your country, you register through the local institution, not through topik.go.kr.

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Fees in Korea

(as of 2026 — verify current fees at topik.go.kr before registering)

The Speaking evaluation is open to anyone; no prior TOPIK I or II score is required. It produces its own certificate and is currently administered only in Korea (not overseas as of 2026). No government body has officially required TOPIK Speaking for visa or university admission as of publication. Verify current requirements before registering for it specifically.

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Test day

Bring:

• Your printed admission ticket (downloaded from My Page)
• Your ID: passport or ARC (외국인등록증)

Do not bring:

• Mobile phones or smart devices (these must be stored, not used during the exam)
• Electronic dictionaries
• Food or drink into the exam room

Arrival time: Arrive at least 30 minutes before the test starts. Late arrivals may be denied entry. The test center (고사장) address is on your admission ticket.

For a full test-day walkthrough, see the TOPIK Test Day guide (coming soon — check the TOPIK hub for the latest).

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After you register

After paying, confirm your registration on My Page (마이페이지) at topik.go.kr. Your admission ticket will be available to download from My Page approximately one to two weeks before the test date.

If you cannot attend the test after registering, you can request a refund. The refund percentage decreases as the test date approaches. Full refunds are available during the correction period. Check My Page for the exact refund schedule for your session. Seats cannot be transferred to another person.

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Getting your score

TOPIK scores are released approximately 5-7 weeks after the test date for PBT and approximately 2-3 weeks after IBT (as of 2026 — verify at topik.go.kr, as timelines can change). Check your score on the My Page score portal at topik.go.kr.

Your TOPIK score certificate is valid for 2 years from the test date. Most visa and university applications accept the certificate within this window, though some contexts may have different requirements. For details on what each score means for your visa or residency application, see TOPIK for F-2 Points and Korean Residency.

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Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting until the last day of registration. The window is 7 days, but seats at popular centers fill before it closes. Register on day one, when the window opens at 10:00 KST.

Name mismatch. The name on your registration must match your ID exactly — including spelling and order of given name and family name. This field cannot be corrected after test center selection.

Photo rejection. Upload a photo that meets the spec (JPG, 354x472 px, under 200 KB, color, no hat, recent). A rejected photo delays your registration and may cost your seat if you're slow to resubmit.

Missing the payment deadline. Credit card payments are due by 4:00 PM on the day of registration. Virtual account transfers are due by 11:59 PM. Missing either deadline cancels your registration.

Using a mobile browser. The topik.go.kr registration site works best in Chrome on desktop. Mobile browsers are not reliably supported; some sessions may behave oddly in non-Chrome browsers.

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What to do if spots are full

If your preferred test center is full, select an alternate center in the same city or a nearby city. If all centers for your target test date are full, register for the next available session. TOPIK runs six PBT sessions per year in Korea, so the wait is rarely more than two to three months.

If you need TOPIK urgently for a visa deadline, check whether the IBT schedule has an upcoming session with available seats — IBT centers are separate from PBT centers and may have space when PBT is full.

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Ready to understand what your score means? See the TOPIK hub for the full picture, or jump to TOPIK Levels Explained to understand what Level 3, 4, 5, or 6 means in practice. If you are registering because you need points for an F-2 or long-term residency application, TOPIK for Visa Points explains exactly which score gets you what.