Rising Use of Foreign Workers in South Korea’s Construction Industry
Recently, the construction industry in South Korea has seen an increase in the hiring of foreign laborers, largely driven by rising labor costs and an aging workforce. This trend is also fueled by foreigners’ willingness to work on construction sites. Particularly, it’s becoming more common for foreign workers to be hired as day laborers. However, it’s crucial to follow the proper procedures aligned with their residency status when employing these workers.
Eligible Residency Status for Foreign Workers
Foreign workers holding the following residency statuses can work in the construction sector without needing any additional paperwork:
- F-2 (Resident Visa)
- F-5 (Permanent Resident Visa)
- F-6 (Marriage Migrant Visa)
Foreigners with any of these statuses only need to present their Alien Registration Card and a Basic Safety and Health Education Certificate to work at construction sites.
Additional Requirements for Certain Visa Types
For foreign workers with the following residency statuses, extra documentation is required:
-
H-2 (Working Visit Visa)
Foreign nationals with an H-2 residency status need a Construction Employment Recognition Certificate to work in the construction industry. This certificate is only granted to candidates who have completed specific training and have been approved by the Minister of Justice. -
E-9 (Non-Professional Employment Visa)
E-9 visa holders can only work at businesses that have issued an Employment Permit, and that permit must be presented upon hiring. This means they must be employed by companies that have already applied for and received a foreign worker employment permit. -
F-4 (Overseas Korean Visa)
Overseas Koreans who hold a qualification of technician level or higher are allowed to work in the construction industry. However, those without any qualifications cannot work in simple labor roles.
Documentation and Hiring Procedures for Foreign Workers
When hiring foreign workers, employers must ensure that they submit the correct documents corresponding to the worker’s residency status.
For individuals holding F-2, F-5, or F-6 visas, only the Alien Registration Card and Basic Safety and Health Education Certificate are required. In contrast, foreign workers with H-2, E-9, or F-4 visas need to provide additional documents as outlined above.
Employers must verify these documents and adhere to the proper hiring procedures.
As a reminder, this information is accurate as of August 2024 and may change based on South Korea’s visa policies. For further inquiries, feel free to visit our 1:1 Consultation Board.