Before Changing Jobs: Workplace Change Permit & Reporting Guide
While working in Korea, you may sometimes need to change jobs. This article explains what a workplace change means, whether your visa requires permission or reporting, why you still need to be careful even if reporting is sufficient, and why changing a part-time job involves a completely different process for international students.
🔎 Workplace change(job change) permission·reporting?
A workplace change means moving from your current company to another company. A workplace change is also allowed only within the scope of your current status of stay, and the permission·or reporting requirements apply to foreigners with a status of stay that permits employment. E-7(Specialized Activities), E-9(Non-professional Employment)are examples of people holding visas that allow them to work.
📋 Workplace change, Depending on the visa 'permission'and 'reporting'are the two categories
■ Those requiring prior permission: Obtain permission before changing jobs
ㆍC-4(Short-term Employment), E-9(Non-professional Employment), E-10(Maritime Crew), H-1(Working Holiday) ㆍE-6-2(Hotel Entertainment Worker) ㆍE-7(Specialized Activities) certain occupations: Sales Clerk, Chefs and Cooks, Designer, Hotel Receptionist, Medical Coordinator, Sea Cucumber Aquaculture Technician, Shipbuilding Welder, Skilled Worker(manufacturing·construction·on-site managers in agriculture, livestock and fisheries) |
You must not start working at the new company before permission is granted. Permission must be obtained in advance.
E-9(Non-professional Employment)has a separate workplace transfer procedure through the Employment Center, so, check with the Employment Center before changing jobs.
■ Those subject to post-change reporting: Reporting is allowed after changing workplaces
ㆍE-1(Professor), E-2(Foreign Language Instructor), E-3(Research), E-4(Technical Instructor), E-5(Professional Employment) ㆍArts and Entertainment(E-6) excluding hotel entertainment workers(E-6-2) ㆍE-7(Specialized Activities) other than the occupations requiring prior permission listed above |
⚠️ (Important) Post-change reporting also involves 'eligibility review'.
If you are subject to post-change reporting "All I need to do is submit documents after moving"you might easily assume. However, even when you are only changing workplaces, Immigration·authorities review whether your duties and employment conditions at the new workplace match your status of stay.
For example E-7 holding an E-7 visa Amoves to a company that pays a higher salary. Ais subject to post-change reporting and therefore did not obtain prior permission. However, if the new company’s industry or assigned duties differ from those at the previous company, or, the contract terms E-7 are deemed outside the permitted scope of E-7 activities, the report may not be accepted. If the person has already resigned, reversing the decision may be difficult.
Therefore, those subject to post-change reporting should also check the new company’s conditions before changing jobs.
ㆍWhether the work at the new company falls within my E-7 occupation and permitted scope of activities ㆍ The duties stated in the employment contract, whether employment conditions such as salary meet the requirements ㆍ Whether the company meets the requirements for employing foreigners |
🚫 A workplace change may be rejected in these cases
ㆍWhen the purpose of stay changes. In principle, permission is not granted if the duties at the new workplace differ from the purpose of stay under the original employment contract. ㆍWhen jobs are changed too frequently. Frequent transfers between workplaces without a valid reason may result in restrictions because the stay may be considered unstable. |
🎓 International students(D-2·D-4)changing a part-time job 'Workplace change'is not a workplace change
Study Abroad(D-2)and Language Training(D-4)are not work visas. Because these statuses do not ordinarily authorize employment, workplace change permission·or reporting requirements do not apply to them.
International students must obtain new part-time work permission for their new workplace.
🌟 Conclusion
ㆍDepending on the occupation, workplace changes require prior permission(E-9, E-7 certain occupations, etc.)or post-change reporting(E-1~E-5, E-6 some, E-7 remaining occupations)are the two categories.
ㆍEven if post-change reporting applies, the new company and employment conditions E-7 may undergo an E-7 eligibility review, so, check before changing jobs.
ㆍD-2·D-4 international students are not subject to workplace change reporting; instead, they, must obtain new part-time work permission when changing part-time workplaces.