[May 2025 Latest] Everything About the Korean Seafarer Employment (E-10) Visa! [For Foreigners Residing in Korea]

1. Eligible Individuals and Scope of Activities

Scope of Activities

• Employment activities in Korea as a coastal seafarer.
• Employment activities in Korea as a seafarer on fishing vessels of 20 tons or more.
• Employment activities in Korea as a seafarer on cruise passenger ships of 2,000 tons or more.

*Note: Previously, the Seafarer Employment (E-10) status was regulated under 'Guidelines for Non-Skilled Labor' along with the Non-Skilled Employment (E-9) status. However, separate guidelines are now applied to the Seafarer Employment (E-10) status, which is not subject to the Employment Permit System.

Eligible Individuals

• Coastal Seafarer (E-10-1)

  Individuals who have entered into a seafarer employment contract to provide labor for at least 6 months with a business operator engaged in activities under Article 3, Item 1 (Regular Coastal Passenger Transport), Item 2 (Irregular Coastal Passenger Transport), and Article 23, Item 1 (Coastal Cargo Transport) of the Maritime Transport Act. They must be considered a crew member as defined in Article 2, Item 6 of the Seafarers Act and must be a crew member serving on board merchant vessels of 5 tons or more (excluding fishing vessels) that are subject to the Seafarers Act.

• Fishing Vessel Seafarer (E-10-2)

  Individuals who have entered into a seafarer employment contract to provide labor for at least 6 months with a business operator engaged in activities under Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 1 (Set Net Fishing), Article 40, Paragraph 1 (Offshore Fishing using Powered Vessels), and Article 51, Paragraph 1 (Fish Carrier Business) of the Fisheries Act. They must be a crew member as defined in Article 2, Item 6 of the Seafarers Act, serving on fishing vessels of 20 tons or more.

• Cruise Passenger Seafarer (E-10-3)

  Individuals who are Korean cruise business operators as defined in Article 2, Item 7 of the Act on the Promotion and Support of the Cruise Industry and are engaged in business operations using international cruise ships as defined in the same Article, Item 4. They must have entered into a seafarer employment contract to provide labor for at least 6 months with such business operators. They must be considered a crew member as defined in Article 2, Item 6 of the Seafarers Act, serving on board cruise ships of 2,000 tons or more as stipulated in Article 3 of the Enforcement Decree of the Maritime Transport Act.

2. Maximum Period of Stay Permitted at One Time

3 years

3. Activities Other Than Those Permitted by Status

Permission for "Activities Other Than Those Permitted by Status" for Fishing Vessel Seafarers (E-10-2)

• (Eligible Individuals) Holders of the Fishing Vessel Seafarer (E-10-2) status.
• (Other Permitted Statuses) Non-Skilled Employment (E-9).
• (Permitted Activities) Work related to catches, such as drying and packaging of fishery products.
• (Conditions for Permission) Both of the following conditions must be met:
• 1. The employer for the original employment and the employer for the place of activity outside the permitted status must be the same.
• 2. The activities must be ancillary to the catch production process, from capture to sale.
• (Permitted Time, Number of People, and Period)
• (Permitted Time) Permitted only during the fishing season. (Applications are possible even during the fishing moratorium period).
• (Permitted Number of People) Limited to within one-third of the actual foreign seafarers working on the seafarer's vessel. (Fractions are disregarded).
• (Permitted Period) Cannot exceed one-third of their own permitted period of stay.

4. Change/Addition of Workplace

① If a seafarer employed under the Seafarer Employment status finds it difficult to continue their employment relationship due to the temporary closure or permanent closure of their workplace, they may apply for a change of workplace upon recommendation from the head of the Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office.

② Required Documents

• ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card, and fee.
• ② Foreigner employment recommendation letter issued by the Korea Maritime Association or the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives.
• ③ Employment contract.
• ④ Business registration certificate.
• ⑤ Documents related to industrial accident compensation or a medical certificate (if necessary).
• ⑥ Letter of guarantee.

※ (Note) Even when moving to and working on a different vessel belonging to the same shipping company (owner), you must obtain permission to change your workplace in advance. However, the fee is waived in this case.

5. Granting of Status of Residence

Not applicable

6. Permission to Change Status of Residence

Not applicable

7. Permission to Extend Period of Stay

1. Extension Criteria and Procedures

A. Extension Criteria

• The period of stay granted at one time for seafarers employed under the Seafarer Employment status is up to 3 years. The maximum period of stay after initial entry is 3 years.
• However, if an extension of the period of employment activities is granted due to re-employment, the period of stay can be extended up to a maximum of 4 years and 10 months from the date of initial entry.

Required Documents

• ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card, and fee.
• ② Employment contract.
• ③ Copy of business registration certificate.
• ④ Letter of guarantee.
• ⑤ Foreign seafarer employment recommendation letter (issued by the Korea Maritime Association for E-10-1 and E-10-3 statuses, and by the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives for E-10-2 status).
• ⑥ Documents proving place of residence (lease agreement, confirmation of accommodation provision, notice of expiration of stay, receipts for public utility payments, dormitory fee receipts, etc.).
• ⑧ Individuals seeking employment due to termination of employment are eligible for an extension of their period of stay within 3 months from the date of termination.

Eligible Individuals: Those with at least 4 months remaining within their total permissible period of stay (3 years).

Required Documents:

• ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport, and alien registration card.
• ② Letter of undertaking.

※ In this case, the fee for the extension of the period of stay is waived.

2. Re-employment Extension Procedure for Expired Seafarer Employment Periods (Re-employment Exception)

A. Eligible Individuals

Individuals who initially entered Korea with the status of Coastal Seafarer (E-10-1), Fishing Vessel Seafarer (E-10-2), or Cruise Passenger Seafarer (E-10-3), have completed their 3-year employment period, and whose employer wishes to re-employ them.

B. Period of Stay

The period of stay granted at one time cannot exceed 3 years, and the total period of stay cannot exceed 4 years and 10 months from the date of initial entry.

C. Application Procedure

Unless there are special circumstances, applications for permission must be submitted from 2 months before the expiration date of the period of stay until the expiration date.

※ The final extended period of stay cannot exceed 4 years and 10 months from the date of initial entry.

D. Required Documents

• ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card, and fee.
• ② Foreign seafarer employment recommendation letter (issued by the head of the Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office).
• ③ Seafarer employment contract.
• ④ Copy of business registration certificate.
• ⑤ Letter of guarantee (if the guarantee period has expired).
• ⑥ Documents proving place of residence (lease agreement, confirmation of accommodation provision, notice of expiration of stay, receipts for public utility payments, dormitory fee receipts, etc.).

8. Re-entry Permit

1. Implementation of Re-entry Permit Exemption System (Amended Enforcement Rule, effective December 1, 2010)

• Foreign nationals who have completed their registration are exempted from the re-entry permit if they re-enter Korea within one year from the date of their departure.
• If the remaining period of stay is less than one year, the re-entry permit is exempted within the scope of the remaining period of stay.

※ However, individuals subject to entry restrictions and those for whom visa issuance is restricted must visit the competent immigration office (branch office/sub-office) in their area of residence to obtain a re-entry permit.

2. Multiple Re-entry Permit

Eligible Individuals: Registered foreign nationals who wish to re-enter Korea within two years, but more than one year, from the date of their departure.

Required Documents: Application form (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card, and fee (KRW 30,000 for single entry, KRW 50,000 for multiple entries).

9. Alien Registration

1. Required Documents for Alien Registration Application

• ① Application form (Form No. 34), original passport, one standard-sized photograph, and fee.
• ② License for coastal passenger transport business or registration certificate for coastal cargo transport.
• ③ Health examination certificate (must be submitted sealed in an envelope and not opened).
• ④ Drug test confirmation certificate (must be submitted sealed in an envelope and not opened).
• ⑤ Proof of enrollment in industrial accident compensation insurance or accident insurance.
• ⑥ Documents proving place of residence.

10. Other Information

1. Employment Status Change Notification

A. Obligated Party:

An employer of a foreign national with the Seafarer Employment (E-10) status.

B. Notification Deadline:

According to Article 19, Paragraph 1, and its Enforcement Decree Article 24, Paragraph 1 of the Immigration Act, notification must be made to the head of the competent immigration office (branch office/sub-office) in the area of residence.

• Dismissal, resignation, or change in employment contract: Within 15 days from the date the reason occurs.
• Death or unknown whereabouts: Within 15 days from the date the reason is known.

C. Notification Method:

• In-person Notification: Visit the competent immigration office (branch office/sub-office) in your area of residence to submit the notification.
• Fax Notification: 1577-1346
• Online Notification: HiKorea Electronic Civil Petition (www.hikorea.go.kr)

*Fax and online notifications can be made regardless of the jurisdiction of the area of residence, and the system will automatically categorize them. Processing will only occur if the notification deadline is met.

D. Required Documents:

• Notification form for changes in employment or training status of foreigners (Form No. 32 of the Enforcement Rule).
• Copy of alien registration card.
• Copy of business registration certificate.
• Confirmation of transfer/acceptance of a dismissed foreign seafarer.
• Employer's identification card (if the employer reports in person).
• If a company employee is submitting the application on behalf: Letter of authorization from the employer, certificate of employment, and employee's identification card.

E. Reasons for Notification and Actions:

• When a foreigner is dismissed or resigns mid-contract (Note: Resignation due to contract expiration does not require notification).
• When a foreigner passes away.
• When the whereabouts of an employed foreigner become unknown.
• When significant terms of the employment contract are changed (e.g., change in employment contract period, change in employer or representative, change in workplace name, relocation of workplace, etc.).

2. Employer's Obligations

• Must comply with all reporting requirements.
• Must exercise due diligence to prevent unauthorized absence of seafarers, human rights violations, unfair treatment, and wage arrears.
• Must ensure that seafarers employed under the Seafarer Employment status carry their alien registration card or passport when going out.
• Must keep a list of employed seafarers at the workplace (or place of work) in preparation for on-site inspections by relevant authorities.
• Must arrange for the immediate departure of a seafarer who wishes to leave the country.

※ If it is confirmed that the inviting party has been negligent in managing obligations or has failed to fulfill reporting duties, the issuance of a Certificate of Visa Issuance may be restricted.

Q1: What are the specific fields where one can work with an E-10 visa?

A1: With an E-10 (Seafarer Employment) visa, you can engage in employment activities in Korea as a coastal seafarer (E-10-1), a seafarer on fishing vessels of 20 tons or more (E-10-2), or a seafarer on cruise passenger ships of 2,000 tons or more (E-10-3).

Q2: What is the maximum period of stay for an E-10 visa?

A2: The maximum period of stay permitted at one time is 3 years. However, by obtaining an extension of the employment period through the re-employment exception, you can stay for up to a maximum of 4 years and 10 months from the date of initial entry.

Q3: I am a fishing vessel seafarer (E-10-2). Can I work in jobs other than being on the boat?

A3: Yes, it is possible. Fishing vessel seafarers (E-10-2) can engage in activities such as drying and packaging of fishery products, which are considered ancillary to fishing, if they obtain permission for activities outside their status. This is allowed if the original employer is the same and the work is ancillary to fishing production. However, it is limited to one-third of the actual foreign seafarers working on the vessel and cannot exceed one-third of your own period of stay.

Q4: I want to change my workplace. What is the procedure?

A4: If normal work is difficult due to business closure or bankruptcy, you can apply for a change of workplace with a recommendation from the head of the Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office. You need to prepare documents such as an application form, passport, alien registration card, employment recommendation letter, employment contract, and business registration certificate. Even if you are only moving to a different vessel within the same shipping company, you must obtain permission to change your workplace in advance.

Q5: My 3-year period of stay has expired, but I want to continue working. What should I do?

A5: If the employer wishes to re-employ you, you can extend your period of employment activities through the 'Re-employment Exception'. You must apply from 2 months before the expiration date of your period of stay until the expiration date. In this case, you can stay for a maximum of 4 years and 10 months from the date of initial entry.

Q6: What are the required documents for alien registration?

A6: You need an application form, passport, standard-sized photograph, fee, license for coastal passenger transport business or registration certificate for coastal cargo transport, health examination certificate, drug test confirmation certificate, proof of industrial accident compensation or accident insurance, and documents proving your place of residence. The health examination certificate and drug test confirmation certificate must be submitted in a sealed envelope.

Q7: What are the essential reporting matters for employers?

A7: Employers must comply with all reporting obligations. This includes reporting the dismissal, resignation, death, unknown whereabouts, or significant changes in the employment contract (such as changes in contract period, employer, or workplace name/location) of foreign employees to the competent immigration office within 15 days of the occurrence of the reason or upon becoming aware of the fact.

Q8: What are the main obligations that employers must adhere to?

A8: Employers must fulfill all reporting obligations and manage the employment of seafarers to prevent unauthorized absence, human rights violations, and wage arrears. Additionally, they must ensure that seafarers carry their alien registration card or passport when going out and keep a list of employed seafarers on site for inspections by relevant authorities.

Q9: What should I do if I want to temporarily leave and then re-enter Korea?

A9: Registered foreign nationals are exempted from the re-entry permit if they re-enter Korea within one year from the date of their departure. If the remaining period of stay is less than one year, the exemption applies within that remaining period. However, individuals subject to entry restrictions must obtain a re-entry permit in advance.

Q10: Is it possible to extend my period of stay if my employment contract has been terminated and I am looking for a job?

A10: Yes, it is possible. If you have at least 4 months remaining within your total permissible period of stay (3 years), you may be granted an extension for job searching purposes for a period of up to 3 months from the date of termination of employment. In this case, the fee for the extension of stay is waived.