/ Recruitment / Employment Guide
Work Guide
This guide summarizes the scope and restrictions on labor and economic activities permitted to foreign nationals in the Republic of Korea based on their visas (status of residence). All foreign nationals operating in Korea are permitted to engage in labor activities only within the scope of their granted status of residence; violation of this is considered illegal employment and may result in punishment or deportation.
Visa types
Main purpose
Legal Basis and Important Notes
Work (employment) activities
Activities under a formal work contract that meet the purpose of stay authorized upon visa issuance (e.g., specialized research, employment in a specific technical field, etc.). This is the primary purpose of employment visas such as the E-7 and E-9.
You must comply with the conditions of the visa (occupation, employer).
Key Notes
Part-time/Hourly Employment
Part-time work activities permitted in addition to maintaining the original purpose of stay (e.g., study, training). Prior permission is mandatory for D-2, D-4, etc.
Working without permission constitutes illegal employment. Working hours are restricted, and requirements such as academic performance must be met.
Legal Basis and Important Notes
Definitions of Key Terms and Classification of Work Activities
Visa types
Main purpose
Eligibility for work
Part-time job availability
Legal Basis and Important Notes
Short-term visit to compatriots (C-3-8)
Purpose of short-term visit
impossibility
impossibility
This is for a purely short-term visit and no commercial activity is permitted.
Tue
근거 법령 및 유의 사항
아르바이트 가능 여부
근로 가능 여부
Other long-term residence (F-2)
Other reasons for long-term stay (F-2-7, F-2-99, F-2-R, etc.)
possible
possible
Conditions may vary depending on the visa type, but generally, economic activity is free.
Tue
근거 법령 및 유의 사항
아르바이트 가능 여부
근로 가능 여부
Permanent Residence (F-5)
Permanent residency in the country
freely possible
freely possible
Almost all economic activities are possible on an equal basis with South Korean citizens, and employment restrictions are the least.
Tue
근거 법령 및 유의 사항
아르바이트 가능 여부
근로 가능 여부
Overseas Koreans (F-4)
Foreign nationals
freely possible
freely possible
In principle, most economic activities are permitted. However, some employment, such as simple labor or employment in entertainment establishments, is restricted.
Tue
근거 법령 및 유의 사항
아르바이트 가능 여부
근로 가능 여부
Visiting Employment Visa (H-2)
Short-term employment activities of compatriots from contracting countries
possible
possible
Work is only permitted in industries designated by the Ministry of Justice.
Tue
근거 법령 및 유의 사항
아르바이트 가능 여부
근로 가능 여부
Trade Management (D-9)
Trade management or entrepreneurship activities
possible
possible
Limited to activities within approved business plans and fields.
Tue
근거 법령 및 유의 사항
아르바이트 가능 여부
근로 가능 여부
Corporate Investment (D-8)
Foreign investment company management/technology
possible
possible
Limited to investment activities and activities within the company.
Tue
근거 법령 및 유의 사항
아르바이트 가능 여부
근로 가능 여부
Job Search (D-10)
Activities to find a job for the purpose of employment
impossibility
impossibility
Employment contracts and wage receipt are not possible, and work is only possible if the visa is changed to an employment visa (E series).
Tue
근거 법령 및 유의 사항
아르바이트 가능 여부
근로 가능 여부
Specific Activities (E-7-1)
Specialized fields designated by the Ministry of Justice (professor, researcher, etc.)
possible
possible
Relatively free activities within permitted occupations and employment conditions.
Tue
근거 법령 및 유의 사항
아르바이트 가능 여부
근로 가능 여부
Skilled Workers (E-7-4)
Transition from unskilled employment to skilled labor
possible
In principle, it is impossible
Compliance with licensed professional occupations and employment conditions is required.
Tue
근거 법령 및 유의 사항
아르바이트 가능 여부
근로 가능 여부
Seafarer Employment (E-10)
Get a job as a sailor
possible
impossibility
Limited to authorized vessels and employers only.
Tue
근거 법령 및 유의 사항
아르바이트 가능 여부
근로 가능 여부
Non-professional workers (E-9)
Non-professional employment in manufacturing, construction, etc.
possible
impossibility
Only available at the workplace and job type specified on the employment permit. Changes in workplace are restricted.
Tue
근거 법령 및 유의 사항
아르바이트 가능 여부
근로 가능 여부
Study Abroad (D-2)
Completion of regular courses at a junior college or higher
impossibility
Possible after permission
Only possible within a specified time frame after meeting academic performance and Korean language proficiency (TOPIK) requirements.
Tue
근거 법령 및 유의 사항
아르바이트 가능 여부
근로 가능 여부
General training (D-4)
Language training, technical training
impossibility
Possible after permission
After entering the country, a certain period of time (usually 6 months) must pass and prior approval from the Immigration Office is required.
Tue
근거 법령 및 유의 사항
아르바이트 가능 여부
근로 가능 여부
Eligibility for employment and part-time work by visa type
Additional Information and Important Notes
3.1. The Importance of the Part-time Employment (Arba-ji) Permission Procedure
If a holder of a D-2 (student) or D-4 (general training) visa wishes to work part-time, they must apply for and obtain approval for a **'part-time work permit'** from the competent **Immigration Office (office)** before starting work.
Essential Requirements: Various requirements are needed, such as maintaining academic performance, proving Korean language proficiency (TOPIK, etc.), and a letter of recommendation from the head of the institution.
Risk of Penalty: Working without permission or working beyond authorized hours will be considered illegal employment and may result in fines or deportation orders.
3.2. Compliance with Employment Activity Visa Requirements (E Series)
For visas issued for the purpose of employment, such as E-9 (non-skilled workers) and E-7 (specific activities), the occupation, workplace, and employer are determined at the time of approval.
Restrictions on Leaving Workplace and Changing Jobs: For E-9 visas, there are strict restrictions on changing workplaces.
Prohibition of activities for purposes other than the purpose of stay: Engaging in profit-making activities (such as having a second job) other than your authorized duties is, in principle, prohibited.
3.3. Restrictions on Free Activity Visas (F-4)
The F-4 (Overseas Korean) visa is one of the most liberal visas regarding employment activities; however, to protect the domestic labor market, employment may be restricted in certain sectors, such as entertainment establishments or unskilled manual labor. F-4 visa holders must verify whether their job falls under any restricted sectors before employment.
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Department in charge: Chungnam Foreigner Global Center
Inquiries: 041-404-1533
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