S.Korea to ease rules for employment permit system

The South Korean government plans to revamp its employment authorization system to allow foreign workers to stay in the country longer. 

Foreign workers on E-9 visas can stay in South Korea for 10 years or more without leaving, and foreign students can convert to E-9 workers and stay longer. 

The ruling People Power Party and the South Korean Ministry of Employment and Labor will submit a bill to the National Assembly on Thursday to amend the law of employment permit system for foreign workers in South Korea. 

The amendment will improve the re-entry special exemption program.

Now, foreign workers must stay in South Korea for a maximum of four years and 10 months before they can leave the country and re-enter for a maximum stay of four years and 10 months.

Foreign workers who meet certain requirements, such as working at the same workplace for at least two years, can stay in South Korea for more than 10 years in three-year increments without the need to leave the country. 

Foreigners who have worked at the same workplace for the first year of a maximum of four years and 10 months will be able to re-enter the country within one month after leaving the country.

“The opposition party will not oppose it because it's not about expanding the scale of foreign workers, but about efficient utilization of skilled workers," the People Power Party source said. 

Write to Yong-Hee Kwak and Yeong-Hyo Jeong at kyh@hankyung.com