Guide to visas that allow employment and hiring in restaurants
◾ H-2 (visiting employment): 4 years and 10 months of employment possible (basic 3 years + extension of 1 year and 10 months (application for special employment permit system)) ◾ F-2 (Residency)/F-4 (Overseas Koreans)/F-5 (Permanent Residence): Continuous employment possible ◾ D-2 (Study Abroad): 30 hours per week (except for those with insufficient credits, insufficient Korean language skills, or in exceptional cases where a residence permit has been obtained) ◾ G-1 (Other): Refugee applicant (can be extended for 6 months) ◾ E-9 (Non-professional Employment): Employment possible for 9 years and 8 months (Only available for kitchen assistants in Korean food service industry (Application for employment permit system)) In effect since April 24th The E-9 visa is a non-professional visa that allows employment only in the manufacturing/construction/fishing/agricultural/livestock industries. Recent national policies have expanded it to include forestry/mining/food service industries. Starting from April 24, you can get a job at some companies that have been recognized after applying for an employment permit under the category of 'Korean Restaurant Industry' (5611) among the 'Restaurant Industry' (561) in the Korean Standard Industrial Classification. It is expected to be gradually expanded after the pilot introduction, and since it is currently a pilot project, businesses with less than 5 people must have been in business for at least 7 years, and businesses with 5 or more people must have been in business for more than 5 years . ▼ Pilot area for allowing employment of foreign workers (E9 visa) in the restaurant industry (Korean food) Wide area basic Special city Seoul (25) Jongno-gu, Jung-gu, Yongsan-gu, Seongdong-gu, Gwangjin-gu, Dongdaemun-gu, Jungnang-gu, Seongbuk-gu, Gangbuk-gu, Dobong-gu, Nowon-gu, Eunpyeong-gu, Seodaemun-gu, Mapo-gu, Yangcheon-gu, Gangseo-gu, Guro-gu, Geumcheon-gu, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Dongjak-gu, Gwanak-gu, Seocho-gu, Gangnam-gu, Songpa-gu, Gangdong-gu Metropolitan City Busan (16) Jung-gu, Seo-gu, Dong-gu, Yeongdo-gu, Busanjin-gu, Dongrae-gu, Nam-gu, Buk-gu, Haeundae-gu, Saha-gu, Geumjeong-gu, Gangseo-gu, Yeonje-gu, Suyeong-gu, Sasang-gu, Gijang-gun Daegu (8) Jung-gu, Dong-gu, Seo-gu, Nam-gu, Buk-gu, Suseong-gu, Dalseo-gu, Dalseong-gun Incheon (10) Jung-gu, Dong-gu, Miju-hol-gu, Yeonsu-gu, Namdong-gu, Bupyeong-gu, Gyeyang-gu, Seo-gu, Ganghwa-gu, Ongjin-gun Gwangju (5) Dong-gu, Seo-gu, Nam-gu, Buk-gu, Gwangsan-gu Daejeon (5) Dong-gu, Jung-gu, Seo-gu, Yuseong-gu, Daedeok-gu Ulsan (5) Jung-gu, Nam-gu, Dong-gu, Buk-gu, Ulju-gun Wide area Match (3) Suwon, Seongnam, Goyang Chungbuk (3) Cheongju, Chungju, Jecheon Chungnam (3) Cheonan, Asan, Seosan Jeonbuk (3) Jeonju, Gunsan, Iksan Jeonnam (3) Yeosu, Suncheon, Mokpo Gyeongbuk (3) Pohang, Gumi, Gyeongju Gyeongnam (3) Changwon, Gimhae, Jinju Special autonomous city Sejong (1) - Special autonomous province Gangwon (3) Wonju, Chuncheon, Gangneung Jeju (1) - *The above information is based on information as of May 2024 and may be subject to change. If you have any questions, please check with your administrative agent.