TOPIK Test Centers Worldwide: Official Guide to 87+ Countries (2026)
August 19, 2026
TOPIK is administered by NIIED in 87 countries across 314 test centers worldwide. Source: topik.go.kr
You want to prove your Korean proficiency — but the nearest test center might be thousands of miles away. Or right around the corner. TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) is now available in 87 countries across 314 test centers, administered by South Korea’s National Institute for International Education (NIIED). Whether you’re applying to a Korean university, a work visa, or permanent residency, this guide shows you exactly where, when, and how to register — anywhere in the world.
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Key Takeaways
- TOPIK is offered in 87 countries with 314 test centers globally (NIIED official figure)
- In 2025, approximately 550,000 people took TOPIK — the highest number since the exam launched in 1997
- Two formats available: PBT (paper-based, 6 sessions/year) and IBT (internet-based, 6 sessions/year in 17 countries)
- Results are valid for 2 years from the date of announcement
- 4 new countries joined IBT in 2026: India, Nepal, Laos, and Bahrain
What Is TOPIK and Who Administers It?
TOPIK stands for Test of Proficiency in Korean (한국어능력시험). It is the official standardized exam measuring Korean language proficiency for non-native speakers. The test is administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED), a government agency under South Korea’s Ministry of Education.
TOPIK was first held in 1997 with only 2,274 participants. By 2012, the cumulative number of test-takers had surpassed 1 million. As of 2025, approximately 550,000 people take the exam each year — a record high driven by the global surge in Korean language learning. Overseas test-takers specifically grew from 64,000 in 2020 to 282,000 in 2025, a fourfold increase in five years, according to The Korea Times.
NIIED took over administration in 2011 (previously managed by the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation from 1999–2010). Today, NIIED coordinates the global network of test centers, sets exam schedules, and manages score reporting.
Overseas TOPIK test-takers grew from 64,000 in 2020 to 282,000 in 2025. Source: Korea Times (2025)
TOPIK I vs TOPIK II: Which Level Is Right for You?
TOPIK is divided into two tests covering six proficiency levels. You register for either TOPIK I (beginner) or TOPIK II (intermediate to advanced) — not both at the same sitting.
| Feature | TOPIK I | TOPIK II |
|---|---|---|
| Levels awarded | Level 1 and 2 | Levels 3, 4, 5, and 6 |
| Sections | Listening (40 min) + Reading (60 min) | Listening (60 min) + Writing (50 min) + Reading (70 min) |
| Total score | 200 points | 300 points |
| Level 1 threshold | 80+ points | — |
| Level 2 threshold | 140+ points | — |
| Level 3 threshold | — | 120+ points |
| Level 4 threshold | — | 150+ points |
| Level 5 threshold | — | 190+ points |
| Level 6 threshold | — | 230+ points |
| Result validity | 2 years | 2 years |
The current exam format has been in place since July 20, 2014 (the 35th test administration), when NIIED streamlined the structure from five levels to the current six-level system.
2026 TOPIK Test Schedule: All Exam Dates
In 2026, TOPIK is administered in 6 paper-based (PBT) sessions, 6 internet-based (IBT) sessions, and 3 Speaking assessment sessions. Overseas test dates may differ slightly from Korea domestic dates due to time zones.
| Exam No. | Test Date | Registration Period | Results | Where Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 104th PBT | Jan 11, 2026 | Dec 9–15, 2025 | Feb 12, 2026 | Korea + select overseas |
| 105th PBT | Apr 11–12, 2026 | Jan 27 – Feb 2, 2026 | May 29, 2026 | 87 countries worldwide |
| 106th PBT | May 17, 2026 | Mar 10–16, 2026 | Jun 25, 2026 | Korea + Asia/CIS |
| 107th PBT | Jul 4–5, 2026 | May 12–18, 2026 | Aug 13, 2026 | Korea + Americas/Africa |
| 108th PBT | Oct 17–18, 2026 | Aug 4–10, 2026 | Dec 10, 2026 | 87 countries worldwide |
| 109th PBT | Nov 15, 2026 | Sep 1–7, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | Korea + Asia/CIS |
Important: The 105th (April) and 108th (October) exams have the widest overseas availability, covering 87 countries. If you are outside Korea, these are the two sessions most likely to include a test center near you.
TOPIK Test Centers by Region: Full Country List
As of 2021, TOPIK has 314 test centers in 87 countries (54 centers inside Korea, the remainder overseas), according to Wikipedia citing NIIED official data. The countries below are confirmed participants in the 2026 PBT sessions based on published exam schedules.
TOPIK PBT is available across 6 continents. IBT is currently available in 17 countries. Source: TOPIK Guide
Asia & Central Asia
Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Mongolia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Laos, Myanmar, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan
Europe
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Russia, Poland, Hungary, Finland, Estonia, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Czech Republic, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Portugal, Greece, Slovenia, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Serbia, Turkey
Americas
United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador
Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Oman, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Madagascar, Tunisia
Oceania
Australia, New Zealand
Note: Not every country listed hosts all 6 PBT sessions per year. April (105th) and October (108th) exams have the broadest overseas coverage. For the exact test center address in your city, contact the Korean Embassy or Consulate in your country, or check the affiliated institution listed on topik.go.kr.
TOPIK IBT: Online Testing in 17 Countries
Since 2020, NIIED has been expanding IBT (Internet-Based Test) availability as a faster and more accessible alternative to PBT. IBT results are released in approximately 3 weeks, compared to 6–7 weeks for PBT.
As of 2026, TOPIK IBT is available in 17 countries. Four countries joined for the first time in 2026:
- Existing IBT countries (13): South Korea, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Philippines, USA (Guam), Indonesia, Malaysia, Romania, Thailand, Paraguay, Mongolia
- New in 2026 (4): India, Nepal, Laos, Bahrain
| Feature | PBT (Paper-Based) | IBT (Internet-Based) |
|---|---|---|
| Countries available | 87 countries | 17 countries |
| Sessions per year | 6 (global) | 6 |
| Result turnaround | 6–7 weeks | ~3 weeks |
| Levels | TOPIK I + II | TOPIK I + II |
| Registration | Via local institution | Via topik.go.kr |
Why You Need TOPIK: Official Uses of Your Score
A valid TOPIK score (Level 3+) is required for many Korean university admission programs for international students.
Your TOPIK score is officially accepted across South Korea’s government, academic, and professional systems. Here are the most common use cases:
- University admission: Most Korean universities require TOPIK Level 3 or above for international applicants to degree programs
- Work visa (E-7, H-2): Ethnic Korean workers from China and CIS countries must meet TOPIK score thresholds for specific visa categories
- Medical practitioner licensing: Foreign-trained doctors seeking Korean medical licenses must demonstrate Korean language ability via TOPIK
- Korean language teaching certification: Required for teaching Korean as a foreign language in official programs
- Permanent residency (F-5): TOPIK Level 3+ is one of the Korean proficiency requirements for the F-5 permanent residency application
- Marriage-based immigration (F-6): TOPIK Level 1 or above is among the language options for spousal visa applicants
Remember: your TOPIK score is valid for 2 years from the official results announcement date. Plan your exam timing accordingly if you have a visa or admission deadline.
How to Register for TOPIK Outside Korea
Registration procedures vary by country. There is no single global registration portal for overseas test-takers — each country’s affiliated institution manages its own process. Here is the general workflow:
- Find your local institution: Go to topik.go.kr or contact the Korean Embassy or Consulate in your country to identify the affiliated test center
- Check the registration window: Overseas registration dates may differ from the Korea domestic schedule. Some countries open registration 6–8 weeks before the exam
- Prepare your documents: Typically a passport-size photo (JPG, under 200KB, 3cm×4cm), ID, and registration fee in local currency
- Register online or in person: Some countries (e.g., USA, UK, Germany) accept fully online registration; others (e.g., some Southeast Asian centers) require an in-person walk-in
- Pay the fee: Test fees vary by country. Cash is required at many overseas centers — credit cards are often not accepted
- Seat availability: Some centers have very limited capacity — for example, Hong Kong caps at 500 seats per level, and some smaller centers accept as few as 14 applicants. Register early
For IBT registration (17 countries), the process is centralized at topik.go.kr.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries offer TOPIK in 2026?
TOPIK PBT is officially available in 87 countries with 314 test centers globally, according to NIIED data. The April (105th) and October (108th) exams have the widest country coverage.
Can I take TOPIK online from home?
No. IBT (Internet-Based Test) is conducted at designated IBT centers in 17 countries — not from your home computer. You must physically attend an authorized test venue.
How long is a TOPIK score valid?
TOPIK scores are valid for 2 years from the date the results are officially announced. After 2 years, you must retake the exam.
What TOPIK level do I need for a Korean university?
Most Korean universities require TOPIK Level 3 or above for admission to degree programs taught in Korean. Some competitive programs require Level 4 or 5. Confirm directly with your target university’s admissions office.
Is TOPIK the same as KLPT or TOPIK Business?
KLPT (Korean Language Proficiency Test) was a separate exam discontinued in 2010. Business TOPIK (비즈니스 한국어) was a specialized version previously required for H-2 visa applicants but has since been absorbed into the current TOPIK system. Today, only TOPIK I and TOPIK II exist as active official exams.
Where can I find the official TOPIK test center address in my city?
The official source for test center addresses is the Korean Embassy or Consulate in your country, or the affiliated institution listed on the NIIED TOPIK website at topik.go.kr. Addresses change yearly — always verify with the official source before exam day.
Start Your TOPIK Journey Today
With 87 countries, 314 test centers, and a record 550,000 annual test-takers, TOPIK has never been more accessible — or more important. Whether you’re planning to study in Seoul, apply for an F-5 permanent residency, or simply want official recognition of your Korean skills, finding your nearest TOPIK center is the first step.
Your next step: identify the Korean Embassy or affiliated institution in your country, check the registration window for the next overseas exam session (April or October have the widest coverage), and register early — seats fill fast in popular locations.
Need to send documents or official mail to a Korean address? Jusome provides verified Korean address translation and postal code lookup for international users — free to use.
Sources / 참고 자료
- Wikipedia – Test of Proficiency in Korean — TOPIK history, test structure, scoring, global center count (314 centers, 87 countries, NIIED data)
- TOPIK Guide – 2026 Overseas Locations Worldwide — Country-by-country list of PBT exam availability per session
- TOPIK Guide – 2026 Full Test Schedule — All 6 PBT exam dates, registration windows, result announcement dates
- The Korea Times (Oct 2025) — Record 550,000 TOPIK test-takers in 2025; overseas growth from 64K (2020) to 282K (2025)
- TOPIK Easy6 – 105th Overseas Registration Guide — Per-country registration methods, seat limits, fee details
- Joy of Korean – TOPIK IBT 2026 Guide — IBT country list (17 countries), 4 new additions in 2026
- TOPIK Official Website (topik.go.kr) — Administered by NIIED, Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea
This article cites only the official and verified sources listed above. Information is subject to change — always confirm the latest exam dates and test center addresses through the official TOPIK website or your country’s Korean Embassy.
What to do next
Guides for actually using your Korean address abroad.