As hiring Korean workers becomes increasingly difficult in the food & beverage industry, employing international students is no longer optional—it’s becoming essential. However, many owners hesitate because they don’t know the exact process, or they unintentionally violate the law and get into trouble.
Here is the core legal and safe hiring procedure for international students on D-2 (degree program) and D-4 (language training) visas.
If you follow these four steps, hiring international students can be completely compliant and worry-free
Step 1) Sign an employment contract
This is legally mandatory. Clearly specify the weekly working hours and the hourly wage.
Step 2) Sign the part-time work confirmation form
The student obtains a part-time work confirmation form from their university/school. Review the information and sign it as the employer.
Step 3) Provide a copy of the business registration certificate
The student needs this document when reporting to the immigration office.
Step 4) Confirm the work permit issuance
After submitting the required documents, the student will receive a part-time work permit within about 1–2 weeks.
Do not allow the student to start working until you have confirmed the permit has been issued.
The most important eligibility checks are handled by the 'school'.
When the student requests the confirmation form, the school verifies the student’s eligibility (attendance, academic status, etc.) and the legally permitted working hours. In other words, if you hire the student according to the school-issued confirmation, it is highly unlikely you will violate legal requirements. Leave the complex rules to the school—just follow the four steps.
Q1. Can the student start working immediately with the school’s confirmation form?
No. The student must also obtain the final work permit from the immigration office. Working before approval is illegal employment.
Q2. Is an employment contract required for international students as well?
Yes. It is legally required, and must clearly state weekly hours and hourly wage.
Q3. Do employers need to verify how many hours the student is allowed to work?
You can ask the student when drafting the contract. Even if the contract exceeds the limit, the school reviews and verifies the allowed hours again when issuing the confirmation form.
Q4. Can students work more during vacation?
There are limits during the semester, but during vacation there may be no hourly limit. However, prior approval from the school and immigration is still required.
Q5. What happens if the student works without permission and gets caught?
The student may face deportation and re-entry bans, and the employer may be fined.
Q6. What is the difference between D-2 and D-4?
D-2 is for degree-program students; D-4 is for language trainees. In particular, D-4 holders can apply for part-time work only after 6 months from entry.
Q7. What if the student graduates or drops out?
If the person is no longer a student, they lose eligibility for part-time work.
