The scope of employment opportunities open to foreign nationals in Korea is relatively broad, but the type of activity and period of stay may be limited depending on your visa type.
⚠️ Key Rule
Foreigners can only seek employment within the residential qualifications of their visa type. Not all visa holders are permitted to work — visas are categorized as eligible or ineligible for employment.
✅ Visas Eligible for Employment
The following visa types allow employment in Korea:
- Short-Term Employee (C-4)
- Professionals (E-1~7)
- Non-Professional (E-9)
- Maritime Crew (E-10)
- Working Holiday (H-1)
- Working Visit (H-2)
- Resident (F-2)
- Overseas Korean (F-4)
- Permanent Resident (F-5)
- Marriage Migrant (F-6)
📋 Employment Rules by Visa Type
Short-Term Employee (C-4)
Eligible if the term of employment is within 90 days, including temporary promotional activity, advertisement, fashion model activities, lectures, speeches, research, and technical instruction.
Professionals (E-1~7)
Eligible if satisfying certain conditions. Certified doctors and nurses must receive approval from the Minister of Health and Welfare. E-2 visa applicants must submit criminal records, health certificate, proof of secondary education, and the TBPE test issued by a designated medical institution.
Resident (F-2)
Eligible if having invested more than $500,000 and stayed in Korea for more than three years under the Corporate Investment (D-8) visa, or having invested more than $300,000 and employed more than two Korean nationals. Also includes real estate investment immigrants, spouses of permanent residents, and refugees.
Overseas Korean (F-4)
Eligible for three years, excluding simple labor and speculation.
Permanent Resident (F-5)
Eligible with no restrictions on employment.
Working Holiday (H-1)
Eligible for short-term employment only during the visa period.
Non-Professional (E-9)
Education training must be completed and insurance for the return flight and accidents is required before workplace placement after entry. The employment contract can be signed and/or extended within the 3-year visa period following mutual agreement. Family members may not be accompanied.
📌 Workplace Changes (E-9)
Foreign workers can change their workplace up to 3 times within the initial 3-year period, and up to 2 additional times if re-employment is extended. Changes due to employer fault (closure, wage delays, etc.) do not count toward the limit.
Valid reasons for workplace change include:
- Employer cancels or refuses to extend the employment contract
- Temporary or permanent closure of the workplace
- Employer's permit for foreign workers is cancelled
- Working conditions differ from the employment contract or involve unfair treatment
- Worker is unable to continue due to injury but can work elsewhere
After leaving a workplace, you must apply for new employment within 1 month and be employed within 3 months of the application.
Working Visit (H-2)
Must complete employment education at a designated institution first, then seek employment through the employment center or independently. Only allowed to work at workplaces designated by the Ministry of Employment and Labor. Must report the start of employment or workplace change within 14 days to the local immigration office.
Foreign resident registration must be completed within 90 days of entry, regardless of employment education status. For construction work, a prerequisite construction employment certificate is required.