At a Glance, the most common mistake companies make when hiring foreign nationals is assuming, "Since they have an Alien Registration Card, they can start working immediately." An Alien Registration Card merely serves as documentation of residency status; it does not mean they are permitted to perform any job. Before hiring, you must first verify their status of residence, scope of permitted employment, workplace restrictions, and wage requirements specific to each visa type. The key to safe foreign hiring is to follow the sequence of "Visa Verification → Job Matching → Contract → Registration → Onboarding."
Today, shall we take a look at the mistakes companies looking to hire foreigners make?
Hiring a foreigner may seem like simply selecting one person, but in reality, it is a bit different. The first step is to verify whether that individual possesses the necessary residency status to work at our company, in that specific role, and under those working conditions. The following seven points are actually where companies most frequently stumble.
| Common mistakes companies make | Key Risks |
|---|---|
| Determining that hiring is possible based solely on the Alien Registration Card | Illegal employment, visa mismatch |
| Failure to meet job and visa requirements | E-7 Denied, Recruitment Delayed |
| Making them start work before permission is granted | Illegal employment/illegal hiring risk |
| Process E-9, H-2, and E-7 using the same procedure | Omission of employment permit and reporting |
| Taking wage requirements and employment contracts lightly | Visa denial, labor dispute |
| Missed reporting resignation, departure, or contract change | Fines, future employment restrictions |
| Treat the four major insurances, industrial accident insurance, and onboarding as exceptions | Labor risks, increased turnover |
1. Can I hire them immediately if they have an Alien Registration Card?
To start with the conclusion, no. An Alien Registration Card or a Residence Permit merely demonstrates that "this person is legally residing in the country." They are not a guarantee that one is free to work in any type of job. Even among foreigners, the permitted scope of employment and procedures differ for international students, job-seeking visa holders, non-professional workers, and skilled worker visa holders.
Employers can check the employment eligibility and scope of foreign nationals on HiKorea, but even there, it advises that "being a legal resident does not automatically guarantee employment." Therefore, it is highly recommended to review the following points before hiring.
| Confirmation items | Why is it important? |
|---|---|
| Status of residence | Whether it is even possible to get a job with this visa |
| Period of stay | Check if the employment contract period and the expiration date of stay are correct |
| range of employment opportunities | Are there any restrictions on industry, job function, or workplace? |
| Whether a change of workplace is necessary | Is it possible to transfer from my current company to ours? |
| Whether permission or notification is required | Whether approval or reporting is required before starting work |
Summary: An Alien Registration Card is not a "certificate of eligibility for employment." The first step is to verify that your status of residence matches the job.
2. Can we hire the person first and arrange the visa later?
This is a fairly common yet dangerous practice. It involves confirming a hiring decision because you like a candidate, and then trying to fit the visa arrangements in later. In particular, specific activity visas like the E-7-1 (Skilled Worker) are not granted for just any job the company wants. You must consider the job function, education and experience, company requirements, wage requirements, and the necessity of employment all together.
For example, even if you intend to hire someone as a "Marketing Manager," if the actual duties are closer to simple packaging, production assistance, store sales, or interpretation and miscellaneous tasks, it is difficult to have it recognized as an E-7 position. Conversely, if the work is truly specialized, such as overseas sales, trade, or planning, the job description and justification for employment must clearly demonstrate that level of expertise.
Therefore, I recommend reviewing it in this order before posting a job opening.
- Check if this position is available with a foreign employment visa
- Check if the candidate's education, work experience, and major match the job.
- Checking requirements such as the company's industry, revenue, number of employees, and domestic employment ratio
- Check if the wage exceeds not only the minimum wage but also the wage requirements for each visa type
- Check if the contents of the job description and the employment contract match.
Summary: It is safer to go in the order of "Job → Visa Eligibility → Candidate Matching" rather than "Person → Visa."
3. May I have them come to work for now before the approval is issued?
"I'll just get out a few days early and handle the visa later." This mindset is the most dangerous. In principle, if you need to change your status of stay, change your workplace, or obtain a part-time work permit, you must begin working only after the permit or procedure is completed.
Part-time employment for international students (D-2) and language trainees (D-4-1) requires separate authorization. The Government24 Foreigner Service provides guidance on the application items and required documents for this part-time employment permit. The same applies to E-9 visa holders; according to the Human Resources Development Service of Korea, after entering the country with a non-professional employment E-9 visa and completing employment training, the employment contract becomes effective from the date of entry.
You have probably heard these kinds of phrases frequently used in the field at least once.
"It's okay to help out for just a few days, right?" "Since it's a trainee period, isn't it possible even before the visa comes out?" "It's just a part-time job; do I really have to report it?"
I understand your feelings, but whether it is a probationary period, short-term work, part-time, or weekend work, for foreigners, the issues of residency status and work permits come first.
Summary: Foreign employees must determine "when they can legally work" before their start date.
4. May I process E-9, H-2, and E-7 using the same procedure?
That is not allowed. Even though they may all appear to be the same "foreign national recruitment," the hiring and reporting methods for E-9, H-2, E-7, D-2, D-10, and F-series visas are all distinct. If you lump them all together into a single procedure, it is easy to miss essential reporting or documents.
| Visa Type | Key points the company will verify |
|---|---|
| E-9 | Industries subject to employment permit, employment permit, standard employment contract, employment training |
| H-2 | Confirmation of eligibility for special employment, job seeker registration status, notification of commencement of employment |
| E-7 | Job code, education/experience, wage requirements, justification for employment |
| D-2 / D-4 | Eligibility for part-time employment, restrictions on working hours and workplace |
| D-10 | Since the status is for job-seeking activities, verify the necessity of changing the status of residence prior to employment. |
| F series | The scope of employment may be broad, but restrictions based on specific qualifications need to be checked. |
For example, special employment under the H-2 Visiting Employment Act is only available to overseas Korean nationals who have completed job registration. The employer must hire the individual after drafting a standard employment contract and report it within 14 days of the start of employment.
Summary: Before posting a job opening, start by determining "which visa is suitable for this position."
5. Aren't wage requirements and employment contracts just administrative documents?
It may seem easy to overlook, but it is actually quite important data when hiring foreign workers. When it comes to wages, you must consider two criteria together: one is the minimum wage applicable to all workers, and the other is the separate wage requirements specific to each visa type.
According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the minimum wage applicable in 2026 is 10,320 won per hour, which translates to 2,156,880 won per month based on a 40-hour workweek and 209 hours per month. This applies equally to all workplaces regardless of industry.
However, for the E-7 visa, simply exceeding the minimum wage is not the end of the story. According to a notice from the Ministry of Justice, the wage requirements for the E-7 visa applicable from February 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, are as follows:
| Status of residence | 2026 wage requirements |
|---|---|
| E-7-1 (Skilled Personnel) | 31.12 million won or more per year |
| E-7-2 (Semi-professional) | 25.89 million won or more per year |
| E-7-3 (General Skilled Workforce) | 25.89 million won or more per year |
| E-7-4 (Skilled Workforce) | 26 million won or more per year |
There are surprisingly frequent discrepancies even in employment contracts.
| item | Common mistakes |
|---|---|
| job | The job duties applied for in the visa application are different from the actual work. |
| wages | The criteria for deductions for basic salary, allowances, and room and board are unclear. |
| Working hours | Actual overtime work is not included in the contract |
| Workplace | The authorized location and the actual workplace are different. |
| Contract period | Does not match the period of stay/permission period |
| language | The worker does not properly understand the content |
The E-9 Employment Permit System provides separate standard employment contract forms. Standard employment contract templates for the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors are also available in the data archive of the Foreign Employment Management System.
Summary: The job duties, wages, location, and duration of the employment contract must perfectly match the visa details.
6. Is it mandatory to report resignation, departure, or contract changes?
Many companies meticulously handle the hiring process but overlook reporting changes after an employee leaves. According to the EPS guidelines from the Human Resources Development Service of Korea, employers must report any changes—such as a foreign worker's departure, injury, death, or contract renewal—to the Employment Support Center and the Immigration Office within 15 days of becoming aware of the facts. Failure to do so may result in fines. Such situations occur surprisingly frequently.
| situation | Is it necessary to report this? |
|---|---|
| The employee suddenly didn't show up | Need to verify whether it has left or is missing |
| Extend the contract period | Renewal of employment contract and verification of period of stay required |
| Move from Factory A to Factory B | Need to check if the work location has changed |
| The company name has changed. | Confirmation of the possibility of reporting a change in workplace name |
| I resigned midway | Reporting of changes in employment required |
| Job changed | Re-evaluation needed to determine if the job is permitted under the status of residence. |
Summary: Hiring foreign nationals does not end with the start date. You must keep track of reporting deadlines based on the date of resignation, contract change, and workplace change.
7. Can the four major social insurances, industrial accident insurance, and onboarding be considered exceptions "because they are a foreigner"?
No. If a foreigner is a worker, they are also subject to working conditions, wages, industrial accident insurance, insurance, severance pay, and safety and health management. The "Easy-to-Find Living Laws Information" provides guidance on workplace health insurance enrollment, mandatory industrial accident insurance enrollment, the application of reciprocity in the National Pension, and employment insurance coverage standards for E-9 or H-2 foreign workers. In particular, regarding health insurance, the fact that the individual has acquired workplace subscriber status must be reported to the National Health Insurance Service within 14 days of employment.
And surprisingly, onboarding is something that is often overlooked. If foreign employees do not fully understand the language, culture, work style, pay stubs, and reporting procedures, it can easily lead to early resignation or unauthorized absences. In particular, in hands-on industries such as manufacturing, agriculture and livestock farming, logistics, and services, the first two weeks of onboarding significantly determine the turnover rate. Taking care of just these things will make the start much easier.
| Onboarding items | explanation |
|---|---|
| Explanation of Employment Contract | Wages, allowances, working hours, holidays, deductions |
| Payday & Payslip Guide | Understanding Pre-tax/Post-tax, Four Major Insurances, and Room and Food Expense Deductions |
| Work Rules Guide | Tardiness, Absence, Vacation, Sick Leave, Reporting System |
| Safety education | Protective equipment, hazardous facilities, and accident reporting |
| Living Guide | Dormitory, Commuting, Hospital, Bank, Communication |
| Reporting Guide | Procedures for changes in period of stay, address, or employment |
Summary: The success or failure of hiring foreigners depends more on post-hiring management than on hiring approval.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Can I hire someone immediately if they have an Alien Registration Card?
A. No. An Alien Registration Card is merely documentation showing residency status. Before hiring, you must separately verify the status of residence, scope of eligible employment, workplace restrictions, and duration of stay. HiKorea also advises that even legal residents may be subject to employment restrictions.
Q2. Is it possible to hire part-time workers with a D-2 international student visa?
A. While it is possible in some cases, you usually need to verify your part-time work permit first. Part-time work for D-2 international students and D-4-1 language students requires an application for a permit, and documents such as an employment contract are also required. It is best to avoid starting work before obtaining the permit.
Q3. For the E-7 visa, is it sufficient to just exceed the minimum wage?
A. No. For the E-7 visa, in addition to the minimum wage, you must also meet the wage requirements specific to each status of stay. As of 2026, the requirements are at least 31.12 million won per year for E-7-1, at least 25.89 million won per year for E-7-2 and E-7-3, and at least 26 million won per year for E-7-4. Since these standards are subject to change, it is necessary to verify them again.
Q4. Does the company need to report when a foreign employee resigns?
A. There are many cases where reporting is required. According to the EPS guidelines, if there is a change in employment, such as a foreign worker's departure, death, termination of the employment contract, or change of workplace, the employer must report it within 15 days of becoming aware of the fact. Failure to do so may result in a fine.
Q5. What disadvantages does the company face if it illegally hires foreigners?
A. Hiring undocumented immigrants or foreign workers without an employment permit may result in disadvantages such as fines, criminal penalties, and restrictions on future employment of foreigners. The EPS guide explains that employers who engage in illegal activities may be subject to imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won.
Hiring foreigners is almost entirely about "order."
In hiring foreigners, order is more important than speed. Finding a good candidate is important, but the priority is to first verify whether that person is legally authorized to work in that role at our company.
You can significantly reduce accidents just by following this order.
- Defining the job to be hired for
- Check available visa types
- Check the candidate's residency status, education, and work experience
- Reviewing Wage Requirements and Employment Contracts
- Proceed with Visa Change, Approval, and Reporting Procedures
- Starting work
- Managing Employment Changes, Insurance, and Onboarding After Joining
Once the procedures are properly established, hiring foreign workers becomes a reliable way to resolve labor shortages. Conversely, if taken lightly, it can easily lead to visa denials, illegal employment, fines, and early resignations.
Before you begin hiring foreign nationals, first check the eligible visas and job requirements that suit your company. If visa or residency status is complicated, you can consult with a JOBPLOY administrative advisor to align the job and visa requirements together.
You can check official information at HiKorea and the Foreigners' Information Center .
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us via Jobploy.
☎ 02-875-2134 / ✉ support@jobploy.kr