The name says it all. The Korean permanent resident visa (F-5) is the Korean green card, the most versatile visa for foreigners who wish to live in Korea for an unlimited period of time and without any restriction on their activities in Korea.
There are several categories which can apply for a permanent resident visa.
(more…)The overseas Korean Visa (F-4) is a multiple entry visa. This visa is for a Korean who had obtained foreign citizenship and his/her foreign lineal descent.
The F-4 visa is the most versatile resident visa next to the Korean permanent resident visa. This visa was originally introduced to provide the overseas Korean descendants with almost the same level of residential benefits as Korean nationals enjoy in Korea. Thus, the initial term of permitted stay is 3 years, and you can easily extend it.
(more…)Recently a foreigner asked some questions to us regarding Korean employment law issues. He has a problem in his Visa status here in Korea and the employer refused to pay some amount to him, a matter of quite frequent occurrence here in Korea, which I’m afraid of though.
Basically foreigners have the same rights as Koreans under Korean civil and/or labor law. Even though the employee does not have a valid working Visa, it does not hinder him or her from executing his or her right under Korean law.
If the company has no justifiable cause to withhold the money earned by the employee, it constitutes a breach of contract and/or an unlawful act. The employee can file a lawsuit against the company or put a provisional attachment on its assets.
Please note, however, that the company could threaten the employee saying “Unless you keep quiet, I’ll inform the Immigration office of your illegal stays in Korea and make you expelled!” as is often the case with vicious small entrepreneur in Korea. Practically it is the primary reason that makes many foreigners working without visa hesitate to take legal (more…)