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The Overseas Korean (F-4) visa generally allows freedom in most employment activities, but to protect national job opportunities and maintain domestic employment order, employment in certain occupations is restricted by announcements from the Ministry of Justice.
These restricted occupations are broadly divided into simple manual labor, acts contrary to public morals and social order, and other occupations restricted for public interest.
According to the announcement on May 1, 2023, a total of 53 occupations were restricted, including 41 simple manual labor occupations, 11 service occupations, and 1 sales occupation. However, recent changes have allowed some occupations or permitted them for residents in population-declining areas.
1. Simple Manual Labor (39 detailed job categories)
The following are representative simple manual labor occupations where employment is restricted for F-4 visa holders.
- Construction and Mining / Construction simple workers (carriers, general laborers), mining simple laborers, etc.
- Transportation and Unloading / Unloading and loading simple workers, moving laborers, other unloading/loading simple workers
- Delivery and Transportation / Mail carriers, parcel delivery workers, other parcel delivery workers, food delivery workers, newspaper delivery workers, other delivery workers
- Packaging and Production / Manual packers, manual label applicators
- Cleaning and Beautification / Building cleaners (offices, buildings, etc.), transportation equipment cleaners, garbage collectors, street beautifiers, recyclables collectors
- Security and Management / Apartment security guards, building security guards, other building managers (parking lot managers, etc.)
- Services and Sales / Leaflet distributors and poster workers, other sales-related simple workers, meter readers, gas inspectors, vending machine managers, parking managers, parking guides, shoe shiners, laundry and ironing workers, environmental monitors, forest fire watchers, etc.
2. Major Occupations Changed to Permitted (Implemented on May 1, 2023)
Restaurant Business (4) / Kitchen assistants, fast food preparers, food service workers, beverage service workers
Accommodation Business (2) / Hotel service workers, other accommodation facility service workers
Therefore, these 6 occupations are now open to employment for F-4 visa holders.
3. Acts Contrary to Public Morals and Social Order
Employment in occupations involving acts contrary to public interest or social order, as follows, is absolutely prohibited with an F-4 visa.
Gambling Business Venues / Employment at gambling venues, lotteries, prize-related business places
Adult Entertainment Businesses / Entertainment workers or related staff at room salons, nightlife bars, and other adult entertainment venues
Others / Employment at venues prohibiting youth entry or hiring (Article 27-2, Paragraph 2 of the Immigration Control Act Enforcement Rules)
4. Other Restrictions for Public Interest (Other Simple Service Jobs)
These are other service-related occupations restricted to maintain domestic employment order.
Skin care therapists, foot care therapists, bath attendants, wedding hall staff, karaoke service workers, other entertainment facility service workers (PC bangs, video room managers, etc.), golf caddies, alcohol service workers (bars, etc.), street vendors and mobile sellers
5. Special Exceptions for Residents in Population-Declining Areas
The Ministry of Justice allows F-4 visa holders residing in regional specialized visa project areas (population-declining areas) to work in all 53 restricted occupations, including simple manual labor jobs. (However, acts contrary to public morals or social order remain prohibited.)
As such, the scope of employment restrictions for F-4 visas is dynamically changing through announcement revisions. Before seeking employment, please confirm the eligibility of the occupation through the relevant immigration office or Ministry of Justice announcements.