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South Korea is a fantastic place to expand your business globally. Its highly skilled and educated workforce makes it easy for companies to access a large talent pool. Some of the country's major industries include electronics, telecommunications, and automobiles.
However, you must also understand labor laws and bureaucratic operations to hire in this country efficiently. Take the South Korea work visa as an example. It is a very important stamp on the passport that allows your employees to visit, work, and stay in this nation for a specified period.
The South Korea requirements for visa vary greatly depending on the nature of the work or duration of stay. Not being aware of all these details can often make the process complicated.
So, to help you on this journey, here is a detailed guide that covers all aspects of South Korea visa types, their unique requirements, and application processes.
Types of Work Permits in South Korea
First things first, South Korea has stringent immigration policies. Once issued, a visa is generally valid for three months.
Any foreigner who wishes to stay for more than 90 days must get a visa before entering. They must also register with the local immigration authorities by the end of the first three months of their stay.
To top it all off, visas are viewed as only consul recommendations for foreigners. This means that entry will not be guaranteed even if your employee has a visa. They might still be rejected if a customs officer refuses to admit them into the country.
South Korean work visa types
There are various South Korean visa types, specifically for employment purposes. Let’s examine them.
South Korea work permit types
Under the Employment Permit System (EPS) in South Korea, employers who cannot hire Korean nationals can legally hire foreign workers.
These workers, as are Korean nationals, will be subject to the same rules and regulations set forth by the Korean employment law.
However, please note that the EPS only applies to foreign individuals with non-professional work visa Korea(E-9).
Some of the major industries in South Korea that are eligible for EPS include,
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Services
- Fishery
- Agriculture and stockbreeding.
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Talk to an expertRequirements for South Korea Work Visa and Permits
As an employer, it is very important to know the various visa requirements of South Korea. This can help you avoid potential legal challenges.
The documents needed to apply usually differ based on the South Korean visa type. Nonetheless, some of the standard requirements include,
- Digital photographs are taken according to the rules set forth by the authorities.
- A valid passport with a minimum validity of six months.
- A clean criminal record.
- Academic qualification documents.
- Proof of sufficient funds to stay in Korea (letter of mission, certificate of deposit balance, etc.)
- A completed visa application form and
- Health certificate, among others.
How to Apply for South Korea Visa and Permits
Moving on, here is a detailed guide on applying for a South Korea work permit and visa.
Work visa in South Korea
You can use any of the following methods to get a work visa in South Korea.
- Submit an electronic visa application through the visa portal and wait for confirmation of the visa issuance application.
- Submit a visa application through the Korean Diplomatic Missions Abroad and await confirmation of the visa issuance application.
The process is pretty simple if you are going for the first method. Login into the visa portal > complete the application form > reception and review > confirmation of results > download the visa application form > submit the visa application and make the payment > wait for visa issuance by the Diplomatic Office.
Additionally, you can check the result of your application from the ‘Application Status’ section in the visa portal.
The basic fees for visa application are as follows.
Please note that all payments for visa applications in South Korea must be done in cash and are non-refundable, regardless of the outcome.
Work permit in South Korea
To obtain a South Korea work permit, an employer must first apply to the relevant employment center. This is to protect the employment opportunities of domestic workers.
If you cannot hire the desired workforce after this, apply for a foreign worker employment permit at the relevant employment center. This must be done within three months of the domestic recruitment effort.
You can either apply for the employment permit through an employment center referral or go for employee-employer selection.
Employers must draft a standard employment contract during the employment permit issuance process. The contract must highlight all the working conditions in the employment permit application.
After this, the employer can obtain a visa issuance certificate from the Immigration Office of the Ministry of Justice.
Looking to Hire in South Korea? Skuad Can Help
You need the right support and guidance to hire smoothly and efficiently in South Korea. Many businesses worldwide choose Skuad, a global employment platform that enables companies to hire people from anywhere.
Skuad is a one-in-all solution for your international hiring needs. We feature numerous capabilities such as digital onboarding within minutes, global payroll in 100+ currencies, automated payments and invoicing, management of work permits, employee benefits, and more.
The best part is that we are 100% compliant. Our in-house legal experts are adept at all country-specific laws and regulations, including South Korea's unique work visa requirements.
So, book a demo with us today and start hiring seamlessly, only with Skuad!
FAQs
How do I get a work visa for South Korea?
You can obtain a work visa in South Korea by submitting an e-visa application through the visa portal. However, please ensure you fulfill the due requirements, which can differ based on the type of visa you want.
How difficult is it to get a work visa in South Korea?
Getting a South Korean work permit visa can be challenging since there are so many processes and South Korean requirements for visa.
Can US citizens work in South Korea?
Yes, a US citizen can get work authorization in Korean workplace if they obtain the right type of visa, based on South Korea visa requirements for U.S. citizens. Thus answering the question - “do US citizens need a visa for South Korea?”
How long can a US citizen live in South Korea?
A US citizen with a valid passport can visit or travel to South Korea for up to 90 days (Korean visa for American citizens).
What is the minimum bank balance for a South Korean visa?
The minimum bank balance usually differs based on the type of visa in South Korea. But, it is recommended to keep sufficient funds in the bank account consistently.
What is an H-1 visa in Korea?
The H-1 visa, also known as the Working Holiday Program (working holiday visa Korea), allows foreign individuals to travel to Korea and work for short periods to earn and save money.
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