Regional restrictions to be imposed on E-9 visa holders

Foreign workers enter Korea via Incheon International Airport [NEWS1]

E-9 visa holders will only be able to change workplaces within the same region starting from September, according to the Office for Government Policy Coordination on Wednesday.

For instance, E-9 visa holders who work for companies in North and South Chungcheong may move to companies only in those two provinces.

Currently, there are no regional restrictions for E-9 visa holders who wish to move to a new company.

E-9 visa holders can apply to change their workplace three times in the first three years upon entry, though they may change jobs only under circumstances stated in the Immigration Act.

Such circumstances include the permanent closure of their company, frequent delays in wages and unfair treatment.

"The change was made in response to workers trying to move to places like the greater Seoul area, while the population is decreasing in rural regions," said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

According to the ministry, 31.5 percent of E-9 visa holders move to another company within the first year of entry.

The government will also provide more benefits to E-9 visa holders who stay at the same company for a long time.

Though E-9 visa holders can stay in Korea for four years and 10 months, they can reapply for another four-year 10-month stay if they leave Korea for six months and file an application in their home countries.

However, those who work at the same company for a year and want to reapply for the visa will only need to stay abroad for one month.

The government also aims to amend the Act On The Employment Of Foreign Workers in the second half of this year to enable more benefits.

The amendment will allow E-9 visa holders who stay at the same workplace for four years and 10 months to reapply for the visa without having to leave the country at all.

Companies in areas where their local governments built new dorms for foreigners will be allocated larger foreign employee quotas.

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]