HOW TO FIND A JOB IN SOUTH KOREA

The Republic of Korea (unofficially, South Korea) is one of the world leaders in information technology, automobile manufacturing, cell phones and other high-tech products. Jobs in South Korea for foreigners in 2024 are available primarily for skilled technicians and holders of scarce jobs for the Korean economy.

South Korea is located in East Asia, washed by the Yellow Sea, Sea of Japan and East China Sea and has a comfortable climate. The main political, cultural and economic center of the country is the capital Seoul. It is to this major Korean city that most labor migrants rush. Most of the language used in South Korea is Korean; however, English is also widespread, especially in large multinational companies.

Work in South Korea

Population of South Korea in 2024 is about 51.8 million people, unemployment does not exceed 2-3%. Most residents are employed in the service sector – 70%, followed by industry, about 24%, and agriculture accounts for up to 6% of the workforce. Labor immigration to Korea is not only a way to earn money, but also an opportunity to experience Asian culture, and perhaps a chance to stay in this country forever. Next, learn how to go to work in South Korea and what jobs and salaries a foreigner can expect in 2024.

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Employment in South Korea

In order to go to South Korea to work, you must obtain a work visa. Usually the document is tied to a specific job and in case of a change of employer or workplace you will need to reissue the visa. The applicant must apply for a work visa in person at the Korean Consulate in his or her home country, but only after signing an employment contract with the employer. This is the main difficulty of a foreign worker.

A company in South Korea, which is going to hire a foreign specialist must obtain a special certificate confirming the legality of employment of a foreigner. Not all employers are willing to spend time on this procedure. It should be noted that illegal work in South Korea can result in heavy penalties and deportation from the country with a subsequent ban on entry.

Documents for work visa to South Korea

Application form and a correctly filled in visa application form.
Foreign passport.
One color photo, taken no later than last 6 months.
CV.
Detailed description of future employment.
Education diplomas and other documents confirming qualifications.
Certificate proving you have an employment contract which allows you to work in Korea.
Criminal record certificate.
Medical insurance.

Work in Employment in South Korea

Term of issuing a work visa to South Korea takes up to one month. Initially, the document is issued for one year with the right to extend, but only if the employer does not change. Depending on the occupation of the applicant and the vacancy in the country, different visas are available. Korea's immigration system has a total of 36 types of visas, 9 of which are related to employment or business. Let's outline the most common ones:

D-7. It is granted to employees of foreign companies investing in Korea, as well as qualified specialists working in branches or representative offices of foreign firms.
C-4. This visa is intended for short-term employment in South Korea for up to 3 months. There are no special restrictions on types of activities.
E-3, E-4, E-5, E-7. Long-term visas, issued mainly to qualified foreign workers for employment in Korean companies. For example, lawyers, doctors, scientists, technicians, and some other professions.

After arriving in the country within 90 days, you must go to the local immigration office and get a residence permit. The process of moving to South Korea is quite complicated, so foreign workers often use the services of special intermediary agencies or labor migration consultants.

How to find a job in South Korea. Jobs without intermediaries.

Working in South Korea in 2024 means diligently searching for a job in the local labor market and confidence in your abilities. First and foremost, language skills will be required. It would be ideal to have skills in Korean, but English will suffice for many local employers. Working in South Korea without knowledge of the language is usually semi-legal work, which will not bring the desired result.

Education, experience, skills and qualifications of a foreigner play a crucial role, of course, if the goal is to find a decent job in South Korea, for example, in one of the major companies, such as Exxon Mobil, Hyundai, Samsung, Smith & Nephew and many others. By the way, when looking for a job in Korea, it is advisable to pay attention to well-known companies that often need foreign workers. Applicants with degrees from prestigious universities in South Korea or European universities, for example, British or French, have an undeniable competitive advantage.

How to find a job in South Korea

Let's move on to the job search in South Korea in 2024. This will require the internet and patience. If there is an opportunity to visit the country as a tourist, it is only a plus. There are quite a lot of foreigners living in Korea, with personal contact with whom you can get information about the situation in the local labor market. Also, use the professional social networking site linkedin.com to find migrant workers and make connections.

Visit the website of the national employment center of South Korea – work.go.kr

If you can't find a job in South Korea on your own, contact a reputable recruitment agency or send your resume directly to major Korean employers.

Jobs and wages in South Korea

South Korea has a very strong economy, and it is not only associated with the development and implementation of modern technologies in the industrial sector, not lagging behind and the service sector. In addition, a large number of international companies employing foreigners are concentrated in the country.

The average salary in South Korea in 2024 is about 4,247,765 Korean won per month ($3,075). The official minimum wage for a Korean worker in 2024 is 9,860 won per hour ($7). Jobs in South Korea for foreigners in 2024 are available in the automotive, IT, shipbuilding, electronics, cell phone, finance and some other industries.

Wages here range from $2,500 to $3,500 a month and up. There are jobs for unskilled workers in South Korea, such as attractive girls, there are model and dancer jobs, hostesses are very popular in Korea.

Translators, English teachers, construction workers, farm workers, or seafood processors are often in demand. Remuneration in these areas is quite diverse, from $600-700 per month. Much depends on the region, in Seoul you can earn much more than in other Korean cities, but the competition here is much higher.