E-9 visa holders are generally required to remain at their initial place of employment as specified in the employment permit. However, workplace changes may be allowed under specific circumstances.

• 1

  Cases Where Workplace Changes Are Allowed

  
  • 1)

    If the employer wishes to terminate the employment contract during the contract period due to the worker's fault (such as negligence, violation of laws or regulations), or refuses to renew the contract after its expiration.

    
  • 2)

    If it is recognized that the foreign worker cannot continue working at the workplace due to reasons not attributable to the worker, such as suspension of operations or business closure.

    
  • 3)

    If the Ministry of Employment and Labor cancels the employment permit for foreign workers at the workplace or imposes restrictions on employment.

    
  • 4)

    If the working conditions at the workplace differ from the contractual conditions, or if there are unfair treatment by the employer (e.g., violation of working conditions), making it socially unreasonable to maintain the employment contract.

    
  • 5)

    If the foreign worker is deemed unfit to continue working at the current business or workplace due to injury but is considered capable of working in another business or workplace.

    
• 2

  Application Process

  

  The worker must apply for a workplace change within one month after the termination of the employment contract with the employer at the Ministry of Employment and Labor's Employment Center. Additionally, within three months from the date of the workplace change application, they must visit the competent Immigration Office to obtain permission for the workplace change.

  ※ If the worker is unable to apply for or obtain permission for a workplace change due to reasons such as occupational injury, illness, pregnancy, or childbirth, the period will be calculated starting from the date the reason is resolved. Workers falling under such circumstances must submit supporting documents, such as proof of industrial accident or medical certificates.

• 3

  Limits on Workplace Changes

  

  Workplace changes are permitted up to two times within the regular employment period of three years and once during the 1 year and 10 months reemployment period. However, workplace changes due to reasons attributable to the employer are not included in this count.

• 4

  Required Documents

  
  • 1)

    Application form, passport, and alien registration card.

    
  • 2)

    Copy of the employment permit.

    
  • 3)

    Copy of the standard labor contract.

    
  • 4)

    Business registration certificate or equivalent proof of workplace status.
    For construction companies: A foreign workforce status table issued by the primary contractor.

    
  • 5)

    Proof of reasons for workplace change (e.g., closure certificate, Proof of non-payment of wages)

    
• 5

  Additional Workplace System for Agricultural Workers

  

  This system allows foreign workers in certain agricultural fields with significant seasonal fluctuations in workload to maintain their original employment contract while temporarily working for another employer under a separate labor contract. Workers return to their original workplace after the contract expires.

  • 1)

    Qualifications : E-9-3 visa holders working in seasonal crop farming.

    
  • 2)

    Application Method :
    Applications must be submitted in person at the local Immigration Office. (Submission via regional agricultural cooperatives is also allowed.)

    
  • 3)

    Required Documents:

    
    • ①

      Application form, passport, and alien registration card.

      
    • ②

      Copy of the employment permit for the additional workplace.

      
    • ③

      Copy of the standard labor contract for the additional workplace.

      
    • ④

      Proof of agricultural scale and business registration or unique identification number (if unavailable, a copy of the resident registration).

      
    • ⑤

      Authorization form from the foreign worker (required for applications via regional cooperatives).