Useful Info

Key Features of the Employment Permit System
◈ Utilizing foreign workers while protecting employment opportunities for domestic workers
Obligation to make recruitment efforts for domestic workers imposed for 7 days across all industries
Determining appropriate introduction scale and permitted industries for employing foreign workers in connection with labor supply and demand trends
Implementing the Employment Permit System from August 2004 to resolve labor shortages in small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 300 employees, such as protecting domestic employment opportunities and addressing industries avoided by Koreans
◈ Prevention of sending corruption and transparency in the selection and introduction process of foreign workers
Preventing sending corruption by signing government-to-government Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) so that the public sector handles the selection and introduction of foreign workers
◈ Introduction of foreign workers tailored to employers' needs
Employers directly select qualified candidates who meet criteria such as nationality, physical condition, education, and Korean language proficiency
◈ Guarantee of basic human rights for foreign workers
Prohibition of unfair discrimination without reasonable grounds
Applying labor-related laws such as the Labor Standards Act equally to foreign workers and domestic workers
◈ Application of the principle to prevent settlement for non-professional foreign workers
Granting an employment activity period of less than 3 years or 5 years (4 years and 10 months upon re-employment permit)
Return to home country after expiration of employment activity period