Employment Restrictions for Overseas Koreans Holding the F-4 Visa
Holders of the overseas Korean F-4 visa are allowed to work in South Korea, but there are certain sectors where employment is restricted. For instance, areas involving simple labor or those deemed incompatible with public welfare are off-limits. Therefore, it’s essential for F-4 visa holders to consider these limitations when seeking work and to look for opportunities that align more closely with their qualifications and experience.
The restrictions on employment serve as a protective measure, which is why the Ministry of Justice provides a detailed list for guidance. As of May 1, this year, new regulations have been established, and you can download the specific sectors that have employment restrictions at the end of this article.
Ministry of Justice Announcement
In accordance with Article 18, Paragraph 1 of the Immigration Control Act and relevant regulations, the Ministry of Justice has designated specific areas of employment that are off-limits for F-4 visa holders as follows, effective May 1, 2023.
Scope of Employment Restrictions for F-4 Visa Holders
- General Guidelines
- a. Engaging in simple labor activities (See Appendix 1 below)
- b. Participating in activities that contravene public morals or social order, including:
- Employment in establishments related to gambling as defined by the Special Act on Regulation and Punishment of Illegal Gambling.
- Working in entertainment venues as indicated in the Food Sanitation Act.
- Employment at places running businesses contrary to public morals defined under the Law on the Regulation of Speculative Business.
- c. Any other cases where employment is deemed necessary to limit for public interest or to maintain domestic employment order (Refer to Appendix 2 below).
- Exceptions
- According to Article 23, Paragraph 3 of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Control Act, F-4 visa holders residing in designated areas affected by population decline may engage in restricted employment if they are part of specialized visa projects established by the Minister of Justice. However, activities that violate public morals remain restricted.
Revision Timeline
The Minister of Justice is required to review the validity of this announcement every three years from January 1, 2023, and make any necessary improvements.
Revoke of Previous Regulations
The previous announcement on employment restrictions for overseas Koreans holding F-4 visas (Ministry Announcement No. 2018-70, dated March 26, 2018) is revoked upon the implementation of these new guidelines.
Effective Date:
These restrictions are effective from May 1, 2023.
For more information on restricted sectors for F-4 visa holders, you can view the sections on:
- Simple Labor Activities (Appendix 1)
- Public Welfare Restrictions (Appendix 2)