Changing your workplace on an E-9 visa 사업장 변경

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1. 1

   Check your reason

   You do thisWhen the reason happens

   You can change only for legal reasons: your employer ends or will not renew your contract; something that is not your fault, such as closure, unpaid or cut wages, violence, sexual harassment, discrimination, illegal housing, or missing insurance; or an injury means you cannot work there but can work elsewhere.

   • Write down dates and keep payslips, messages and medical papers
   • For wage problems, apply while the problem continues or within 4 months after it ends
   • Call 1577-0071 if you are not sure your reason counts

   !Many not-your-fault reasons have conditions, for example 30% or more of monthly pay unpaid for 2 months, or 10% or more for 4 months.

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2. 2

   Apply at the job center

   You do thisWithin 1 month after your contract ends

   Go in person to the job center that covers your workplace area and submit the workplace change application. There is no fee. The center may ask for proof of your reason.

   • Bring the application form (English version available)
   • Bring your Alien Registration Card and a copy of your passport
   • Bring proof of your reason if you have it

   !If you do not apply within 1 month, you must leave Korea.

   Mark this step as doneDownload the form (PDF, English) ↗
3. 3

   The job center checks your case

   The agency does thisWithin 15 days

   The job center must decide within 15 days, and can extend this once by up to 15 days. If your employer disagrees or there is not enough proof, a worker protection committee (권익보호협의회) can still approve the change.

   • Answer the job center's questions
   • Submit any extra papers they ask for

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4. 4

   Find a new employer through the job center

   You do thisAfter your application is accepted

   The job center refers you to employers looking for workers. If you entered Korea in the 4th round of 2023 or later, you are mostly referred within the region of your first workplace. Since 2025 you can also move from the capital area to another region, or between non-capital regions.

   • Tell the job center what work and area you want
   • Sign the new labor contract
   • Do not start work anywhere before you get permission

   !The 5 regions: Capital area (Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon). Gyeongnam (Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam). Gyeongbuk/Gangwon (Daegu, Gangwon, Gyeongbuk). Jeolla/Jeju (Gwangju, Jeju, Jeonnam, Jeonbuk). Chungcheong (Daejeon, Sejong, Chungnam, Chungbuk).

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5. 5

   Get immigration permission for the new workplace

   You do thisBefore you start, within 3 months of applying

   E-9 workers need permission to change workplace (근무처 변경허가) before starting the new job. No employer may hire you without it.

   • Get permission before starting the new job
   • Keep a copy of the permission

   !If you do not get permission within 3 months of applying at the job center, you must leave Korea. If injury, illness, pregnancy or childbirth stops you, the 3 months starts when that reason ends.

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Documents checklist

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0 of 5 documents ready

• Workplace change application (사업장 변경신청서, English form 13-2)Job center, or download from law.go.kr
• Alien Registration CardYou
• Passport copyYou
• Proof of your reason, if asked (payslips, medical certificate, messages)Employer, hospital, coworkers
• Deadline extension application (form 13-3) with proof of injury, illness, pregnancy or childbirthJob center (only if you could not meet a deadline)

How to fill in the form

Tap a numbered area on the form, or use Next, to see what to write there.

EXAMPLE12345

1. 11. Your details

   Name in English as in your passport, Alien Registration No., nationality, address in Korea, and a phone number where the job center can reach you.

2. 22. Why you are changing

   Tick one: contract expired, contract terminated, a reason announced by the ministry (closure, unpaid wages, violence and so on), or injury. Bring proof if you have it.

3. 33. The job you want

   List up to 3 types of business and work in order of preference, the city or province you want, your minimum monthly salary, and other wishes like hours. Remember the regional rules for newer workers.

4. 44. Date and signature

   Write the date (YY/MM/DD) and sign as the applicant.

5. 55. Consent to share information

   Sign here so the officer can check your registration online. If you do not sign, you must bring the documents yourself.

6. ← BackNext →

Blank official form shown as an example. The job center also has paper copies. There is no fee. Download the official form (PDF) ↗

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