Metropolitan Area Mid-sized Companies Can Now Employ Foreign Workers at Regional Sites

The 44th Foreign Workforce Policy Committee Meeting
Announcement of Finalized Improvements to Employment Permit Requirements

Mid-sized companies headquartered in the Seoul metropolitan area but operating business sites in non-metropolitan areas can now hire foreign workers with E-9 visas.

On the morning of the 2nd, when the weather showed signs of full autumn, the clothing of commuters on their way to work in Sejong-ro, Seoul, became thicker. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

On the 17th, the government held the 44th Foreign Workforce Policy Committee meeting and finalized measures to improve employment permit requirements for mid-sized companies in the root industry sector.

Last September, the government newly allowed foreign workers (E-9) for mid-sized root industry companies located in non-metropolitan areas facing labor shortages. However, if the headquarters were in the metropolitan area, foreign workers could not be employed even if the business site was in a provincial (non-metropolitan) area.

Accordingly, the requirements have been improved so that mid-sized root industry company business sites located in provinces with relatively severe labor shortages can utilize foreign workers regardless of the headquarters location. A customized specialized training plan for the root industry will also be prepared to help foreign workers adapt quickly and work safely.

The improved requirements based on this decision are expected to be applied starting from December, when the 5th round of employment permit applications will be made this year. Detailed application methods will be distributed and guided separately by the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

Bang Gi-seon, Chairperson of the Foreign Workforce Policy Committee (Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination), said, "We expect that this improvement in requirements will enable smooth utilization of foreign workers in the field." He also urged related ministries to "pay special attention to safety management so that foreigners can understand safety rules and perform their duties safely."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.