✔ Employment Guide for G-1 Visa Holders
The G-1 visa does not, in principle, permit employment, but limited employment may be permitted if certain conditions are met.
We'll explain the G-1 visa employment eligibility and procedures.😊
G-1 Visa Overview
The G-1 visa is granted to foreigners staying in Korea for humanitarian reasons.
- refugee applicant
- Foreigners staying long term for medical treatment
- Foreigners staying for special reasons recognized by the Minister of Justice
The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea prohibits foreigners with this G-1 visa from engaging in employment activities, but with the permission of the Ministry of Justice, employment is possible within a certain scope.
In other words, in order to maintain a minimum standard of living in the country, the Immigration Office, upon application, conducts an appropriate review and permits employment in industries other than those with restricted employment, such as simple labor.
G-1 visa employment status
Since this is not a visa for employment purposes, you must obtain a ‘work activity permit’ to work.
Employment Eligibility Conditions
- 6 months after applying for refugee status: You can apply for a work permit after 6 months.
- Prior approval from the Ministry of Justice is required: You must obtain a work permit specifying your employer and working conditions.
Limited to permitted occupations: General simple labor positions are not permitted, and employment is limited to certain industries.
(Eligible occupations - simple labor (accommodation, restaurants, construction, etc.) / entertainment (bars, adult entertainment establishments, etc.) / industries harmful to youth / industries that threaten national security / private tutoring, etc.)
Persons eligible for permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under their residence status
| Activity permit |
| G-1-5 People with humanitarian reasons, such as pregnancy or childbirth |
| G-1-6 Persons with humanitarian stay permits among those who have not been recognized as refugees |
| Family members of those who died in the G-1-7 accident, etc. |
| G-1-11 Foreign nationals requiring humanitarian considerations, such as victims of prostitution or sexual violence |
| G-1-12 Family of humanitarian stayer G-1-6 |
| G-1-99 Foreign nationals whose stay is unavoidable for other national interest or humanitarian reasons |
| Activities not permitted |
| G-1-1: Persons filing for industrial accident compensation or receiving hospitalization and their families |
| G-1-2: People undergoing treatment for illness or accident and their families |
| G-1-3: Persons in the process of various lawsuits (civil, criminal) |
| G-1-4: Persons with unpaid wages and refugee applicants |
| G-1-9: Foreign nationals requiring stay due to pregnancy, childbirth, etc. |
| G-1-M: Persons seeking treatment or rehabilitation and their accompanying family members |
| G-1-10: Foreign patients requiring long-term treatment after entering the country with a B-1, B-2, or C-3 visa. |
Conditions for inability to work or cancellation of permit
- If less than 6 months have passed since applying for refugee status
- Without permission from the Ministry of Justice
- If you are employed in a job other than the permitted occupation
- Illegal employment by employers (illegal employment)
- If you do not obtain a new permit after changing your business location
Disadvantages if illegal activity is detected
- Forced Deportation and Entry Ban: If illegal employment is discovered, you may be subject to forced deportation and may be banned from entering Korea for a certain period of time.
- Fines and criminal penalties: Not only foreign nationals who work illegally, but also employers who knowingly hire foreign nationals may be subject to penalties.
- No visa extensions or changes: If you have a history of illegal employment, it may be difficult to extend your G-1 visa or change to another visa.
- Adverse impact on refugee status determination: If a refugee applicant engages in illegal employment, it may adversely affect the refugee status determination process.
G-1 Visa Employment Procedures
STEP 1. Check your eligibility for employment
You must first check whether the G-1 visa applicant is eligible for employment.
- Confirmation of Alien Registration Card and Residence Status (G-1) (You must also confirm whether the visa is eligible for activity permit)
- Check if 6 months have passed since applying for refugee status
- Check your period of stay and passport validity
- Check employment and employability
STEP 2. Apply for a work permit
Please make a reservation to visit the immigration office in your jurisdiction first.
You must prepare the documents below to submit for permission to work outside of your G1 residence status.
- Integrated Application for Work Permit
- passport
- Alien registration card
- Employment contract
- Copy of business registration certificate
- Lease agreement or proof of residence (copy of provider's ID)
- Immigration fee: 120,000 won
- Ministry of Justice review and approval decision
STEP 3. Job search activities
You can start working in an approved occupation and at an approved work location.
If your working conditions change, you will need to reapply to the Ministry of Justice.
STEP 4. Maintain and renew your residency status every six months.
The G-1 visa is not, in principle, a long-term visa. To engage in long-term employment, the visa holder must renew their residency and work permit every six months.
✔ For more detailed information, please refer to the official website of the Ministry of Justice Immigration Office or HRD Korea, or contact the relevant agency directly.
📌 Immigration Office website: www.immigration.go.kr
📌 HRD Korea website: www.hrdkorea.or.kr