How to Register for TOPIK in Korea and Abroad

You register for TOPIK differently depending on where you take the test. If you are taking TOPIK in Korea, the official route is the TOPIK website. If you are taking TOPIK outside Korea, follow the local administering institution in your country.

This guide focuses on official registration rules and 2026 schedule data. It does not try to predict which test centers will fill first or which local overseas office will use which payment method.

If you have not yet chosen a level, read TOPIK Levels Explained first.

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Step 1: Choose The Right Test

TOPIK I covers Levels 1 and 2.

TOPIK II covers Levels 3, 4, 5, and 6.

If your university, employer, scholarship program, or visa route asks for Level 3 or higher, TOPIK I cannot produce that result. Choose TOPIK II.

There are also separate formats:

• PBT: paper-based TOPIK
• IBT: computer-based TOPIK, with separate raw score bands
• TOPIK Speaking: separate speaking evaluation

Use the format named by the institution or route you are applying to. If it only names a TOPIK level, confirm whether PBT and IBT are both accepted.

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Step 2: Check The 2026 Korea Schedule

NIIED's 2026 implementation plan lists these Korea PBT sessions.

The same 2026 plan lists these Korea IBT sessions.

TOPIK Speaking runs separately in Korea.

NIIED says 2026 schedules may change depending on domestic or overseas administering-institution circumstances. Check topik.go.kr before registering.

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Step 3: Register Through The Correct Channel

NIIED's TOPIK basic operating regulation separates domestic and overseas registration.

If you take TOPIK in Korea, register through the TOPIK website.

If you take TOPIK outside Korea, follow the registration method of the administering institution in that country. The same regulation says overseas applicants follow the country-level administering institution's registration method.

Overseas registration periods and fees can differ from Korea. NIIED's 2026 implementation plan tells overseas applicants to confirm with the local administering institution.

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Step 4: Avoid Mobile Registration

TOPIK's mobile notice says mobile devices, including phones, tablets, and touch-enabled laptops, are not supported during registration periods. Use a PC or ordinary laptop.

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Step 5: Prepare ID And Photo

ID

The 2026 implementation plan says domestic test takers must bring an accepted original ID. For foreign residents, the listed examples include an unexpired passport, foreigner registration card, mobile foreigner registration card for eligible users, permanent resident card, and welfare card.

Overseas test takers follow the ID rules of the country-level administering institution. NIIED's basic operating regulation says overseas ID rules are set locally, but the ID should include a photo, English name, and birth date.

Photo

The 2026 implementation plan says TOPIK registration photos follow the Ministry of Justice foreigner-registration photo standard. It describes a recent color upper-body passport-style photo, 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm, with a plain background, no hat, no eye obstruction, and no altered original image.

If your local overseas office gives a stricter local photo rule, follow the local office.

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Step 6: Know The Korea Fees

The 2026 Korea fees are:

Fees outside Korea vary by country. Confirm the current fee with the local administering institution before the local registration window opens.

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Step 7: Cancellation And Refund Basics

NIIED's basic operating regulation says domestic applicants can cancel from the application date until 1:00 PM on the day before the test. It also says detailed cancellation and refund rules can be set by the NIIED president.

For overseas tests, the regulation says the local administering institution's refund rules apply.

Because refund percentages and cutoff times can vary by session or local office, check the current session notice before paying.

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Step 8: Test Day Basics

Bring your accepted original ID.

The 2026 implementation plan says a person who does not bring a required ID cannot take the test. It also says test takers cannot enter the test room after the notified entry time.

Electronic and communication devices are not allowed during the test. The 2026 plan tells candidates to turn off and submit communication and electronic devices before the first session starts.

For PBT, the 2026 plan says the answer sheet must be filled out with the computer marking pen provided by the test supervisor.

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Step 9: Check Results And Certificate Validity

The 2026 Ministry of Education plan says scores are announced through the website on the announced score date. It also says the score certificate is issued through the website and is not sent by post, fax, or email, except that overseas administering institutions may receive one copy per test taker when requested.

TOPIK scores are valid for 2 years from the score announcement date.

For what your score can do in a visa context, see TOPIK for Visa Points and verify the current official immigration notice before applying.

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Common Mistakes To Avoid

Using the wrong test. TOPIK I cannot award Level 3 or higher.

Using the wrong score table. PBT and IBT have different raw score bands.

Registering on mobile. TOPIK's mobile notice says mobile devices are not supported during registration periods.

Ignoring the local overseas office. Overseas applicants follow the country-level administering institution's method, fees, ID rules, and refund rules.

Using an old score. TOPIK scores are valid for 2 years from the score announcement date.

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Ready to understand the score table? See TOPIK Levels Explained. For the broader overview, use the TOPIK hub.

@misc{seoulstart-topik-registration-guide,
  author = {{Seoulstart Editorial Team}},
  title = {{How to Register for TOPIK in Korea and Abroad}},
  year = {2026},
  publisher = {Seoulstart},
  url = {https://seoulstart.com/guides/topik-registration-guide},
  note = {Last updated June 6, 2026}
}