Changing Employers on an E-9 Visa: Reasons, Limits and Deadlines

Under the Employment Permit System, you can't simply quit one factory and start at another. That rule keeps many workers in difficult jobs because they don't know when a change is allowed. The law does give you a way out in real problem situations — but it has firm deadlines. Miss them and you could have to leave Korea. Here's how it works.

When you're allowed to change

Article 25 of the Act on the Employment of Foreign Workers lists the reasons. In plain words:

Your contract ends, or the employer won't renew it.

If the employer ends the contract for a fair reason, or refuses to renew it when it expires, you can apply for a change.

Something happens that isn't your fault.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor lists these: the company closes or shuts down for a while, its permit to hire foreign workers is cancelled or limited, the dormitory breaks the housing rules, or the employer breaks your working conditions or treats you unfairly.

You're injured and can't do this job — but could do another.

The Enforcement Decree adds injury or a similar reason that makes your current workplace unsuitable while you can still work somewhere else.

Workers housed in temporary structures inside vinyl greenhouses can also change workplace, and the ministry says those changes don't count toward the limit.

Two deadlines you must not miss

1. Apply within 1 month. After your contract ends, you have 1 month to apply to the job center for a workplace change.
2. Get your new permit within 3 months. After you apply, you have 3 months to find a new workplace and receive a change-of-workplace permit from immigration.

If you don't apply in time, or don't get the permit in time, the law says you must leave Korea, and the job center sends the list of such workers to immigration. The count pauses while you're dealing with a work injury, illness, pregnancy or childbirth, and starts again when that ends.

Say your contract ends on May 31. You should apply by June 30. If you apply on June 10, you have until about September 10 to get your new permit. Write these dates on your calendar the day you apply.

How many times you can change

The law allows 3 changes in your first employment period and 2 changes during the extended period. The important part: changes for reasons that aren't your fault — closure, shutdown, the employer's violations or unfair treatment — don't count toward these limits.

That's why it matters how the reason is recorded. If your employer is breaking the rules, make sure the job center records that as the reason. Bring your evidence.

Regional and industry limits

In July 2023 the Foreign Workforce Policy Committee approved a new rule: for workers who arrived from September 2023, workplace changes are allowed only within a set region and industry. In practice, if you work in a factory in one region, you'll usually move to another factory in the same region. Ask the job center which workplaces you can choose from. The government has discussed changes to these limits, so check the current rule when you apply.

The process, step by step

1. Collect your evidence. Contract, pay slips, messages, photos of the dorm, your own notes with dates.
2. Apply at the job center (고용센터). Bring your residence card and passport. EPS has a workplace change menu, and employer services have moved to Work24.
3. Look at the list of workplaces. The job center will tell you how you can find and be matched with a new employer.
4. Sign a new contract. Read it as carefully as the first one. Our EPS guide has a contract checklist.
5. Get the change-of-workplace permit from immigration before you start at the new workplace.
6. Report your new job information on HiKorea. Since 2026, job information reports are online. See our HiKorea guide.

What to say at the job center

Many workers go to the job center nervous and leave without saying the most important thing. Prepare three short points before you go:

• Why you're applying. “My contract ended on May 31.” Or: “My company closed.” Or: “My wages were not paid for two months.”
• When it happened. Exact dates help the officer record the reason correctly.
• What proof you have. Hand over copies, not originals, and keep your originals safe.

If the reason is the employer's fault, say so clearly and ask the officer to record it that way. Remember: changes that aren't your fault don't count toward your limit. If you don't understand something, ask for an interpreter or call 1350 from the job center and ask them to help explain.

Before you leave, ask two questions: “What is my deadline?” and “How will you contact me?” Write the answers down. Then check your phone and email every day.

While you're between jobs

The weeks between two workplaces can be the hardest part. A few things make them easier.

Money. Your old employer still owes you your last wages within the legal deadline, and severance pay if you worked at least a year. Our severance pay guide explains both. Don't sign any paper that says you “give up” money you're owed.

Housing. If you lived in the company dorm, ask in writing how long you can stay. Some workers move in with friends for a short time. Keep your address up to date, because the job center and immigration may send you letters.

Insurance. Your health insurance through work ends the day after your job ends. Ask the National Health Insurance Service how you're covered until you start the new job.

Your stay date. A workplace change doesn't extend your permitted stay on its own. Check the date on HiKorea and keep it in mind while you look.

If the problem is unfair treatment

Unfair treatment, unpaid wages and unsafe housing are all reasons the law recognizes. They also don't count toward your limit — but you need to show what happened. Our dormitory and deductions guide explains the housing rules, and our minimum wage guide helps you check your pay. When you're ready, the help lines guide lists who to call: 1350 for labor questions and 1345 for immigration.