The government decided to grant the extension of stay and work permit to foreign workers*, whose permit
will expire within April 13-December 31, 2022, taking into account difficulties foreign workers have in
entering into and leaving the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the spread of Omicron
variant, and the ensuing labor shortages small- and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs) and agricultural and
fishing communities face.
* Eligible for stay: Non-professional Employment (E-9), Working Visit (H-2)
The extension of stay and work permit will apply to those employed under the Act on the Foreign Workers'
Employment (E-9, H-2), whose period of working(3 years or 4 years and 10 months) is set to expire
between April 13 and December 31, 2022.
However, for foreign workers who have already received a one-year extension, only those whose work
permit (4 years, or 5 years and 10 months) ends between April 13- June 30, 2022 will be subject to the
extension.
* If their stay exceeds six years when given a 50-day extension(expiration of 4 years and 10 months + 50
days + 1 year), they will be excluded from the measure.
Those whose work permit will be extended for the first time will be able to stay in Korea for another year,
and those whose permit has already been extended once will be given a 50-day extension from the date of
expiration.
Foreign workers will receive automatic extensions by the government without their or their employers’
separate application for stay and work extensions.
However, employers must apply* for employment contract extensions with foreign workers and
employment permit extensions. For ethnic Koreans (H-2), employers must obtain special employment
permits, and employers or employees must declare the commencement of work**.
* By visiting a local employment center or online (www.eps.go.kr).
** Employers may declare the commencement of work to a local employment center, or foreign workers
may declare his or her employment to an immigration office.
Accordingly, up to 132,000 foreign workers (E-9, H-2) are expected to benefit from this measure.
77,094 E-9 visa holders eligible for this measure will be able to extend their period of stay and work permit.
In the case of 55,519 ethnic Koreans (H-2), confirmation of the legality of their employment such as the
declaration of work commencement is required prior to the extension.
Minister of Employment and Labor An Kyung Duk said, "I hope the extension of stay and work permit for
foreign workers will help small and medium-sized enterprises and agricultural and fishing communities
suffering from labor shortages." "In addition, the government will closely cooperate with labor-sending
countries and relevant ministries to facilitate the entry of foreign workers."
Justice Minister Park Beom-Kye said, "I am glad that the extension will help ease labor shortages in the
manufacturing sector and agricultural and fishing communities due to the difficulty of foreign workers’
entry and departure.” He added, “The government will spare no efforts in cooperation with related
authorities to issue visas for foreign workers and expedite their entry into Korea without a hitch."