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A Job Offer Isn't the Finish Line — 6 Things Foreign Workers in Korea Should Check

Updated 9/2/2026
A Job Offer Isn't the Finish Line — 6 Things Foreign Workers in Korea Should Check

A guide to the wages, contract, and status issues foreign workers run into after landing a job in Korea, from the EPS system to the 1345 hotline.

For foreign workers in Korea, the hard part usually starts after the job offer, not before. Plenty of people research the hiring process, but far fewer know where to turn once pay doesn't match the contract, contract terms don't match the actual job, or a workplace transfer becomes necessary. Getting injured, wanting to change employers, or running into a status question each routes to a different office.

This list orders six government and public services by the situations foreign workers actually run into after starting work — from checking your Employment Permit System (EPS) status to job search services, labor counseling, keeping records, a phone hotline, and the part-time work rules that apply if you're also enrolled as a student.

How to use this list

  • Still waiting on placement or entry procedures? Start with No. 1, the EPS system.
  • Changing workplaces or job hunting? No. 2.
  • Confused about wages or overtime terms? No. 3 first.
  • Need help in your language right now? Call No. 5, the 1345 hotline, directly.
01

EPS 외국인고용관리 시스템

The official system for workers who entered Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS), covering workplace placement, contract details, and status-related information. You can check your employment contract terms, the process for requesting a workplace change, and required enrollments like return-cost insurance here. If you just arrived, don't miss notifications about placement confirmation or contract renewal timing. If the language is a barrier, confirm details with your local employment center or the 1345 hotline as well. Menus and screens are updated periodically, so always check the current version.
02

고용24 구직·고용서비스

A Ministry of Employment and Labor platform where foreign workers can search job postings and check vocational training programs they're eligible for. If you need a workplace change, this is where to start looking for a new position. What you can access — resume registration, unemployment benefit information — depends on your visa status, so confirm what applies to you first. If the interface feels confusing, your nearest employment center can walk you through it in person.
03

고용노동부 노동 상담 안내

The official channel for reporting and getting advice on unpaid wages, unfair dismissal, or working-hour violations. Foreign workers are protected under the same Labor Standards Act as Korean nationals, so if your treatment doesn't match your contract, counseling is worth pursuing rather than letting it go. You can reach counseling by phone, in person, or online through your regional labor office. Bring your employment contract and pay stubs as evidence — it makes the process much smoother. Interpretation availability can vary by region, so ask when you contact them.
04

근로계약서와 급여명세서 보관

If a dispute comes up, documents are the first thing you'll need. Keep a copy of your original employment contract, monthly pay stubs, and any overtime records separately from what your employer holds. Some employers only ask for a signature without handing over a copy — always request one. If wages are deposited by bank transfer, saving your account statements too makes it easier later to compare actual hours worked against what you were paid. Photographing documents and backing them up to cloud storage is one simple way to keep them safe.
05

외국인종합안내센터 1345

A multilingual phone hotline covering visa status, employment, labor, and daily life questions, run by the Ministry of Justice. Dial 1345 and you'll be connected through an interpreter. If you're not sure which agency handles your issue, calling here first saves time. Available languages and operating hours can shift over time, so follow the phone menu for current details. For urgent status issues especially, it's worth calling right away rather than waiting.
06

유학생 시간제 취업 가능 범위 확인

If you're on a Student (D-2) or language-training (D-4) visa and also working part-time, that work is only allowed within limits you've been pre-approved for. Permitted hours and job types depend on your visa status and whether school is in session, so check your specific conditions with HiKorea or your university's international student office first. Working beyond the approved scope without permission can put your visa status at risk. Since rules can change, reconfirm the current standard before you start any part-time job.

How to prioritize

What's most urgent should decide your order. If you're mid-process on a workplace change or job search, start with No. 1 (EPS) and No. 2 (Work24). If you're already working and something feels off with your contract or pay, prioritize No. 3 (counseling) and No. 4 (organizing your records). If you're not sure who to ask, calling No. 5 (1345) is the fastest way to get pointed in the right direction.

If you're also enrolled as a student and working part-time, check No. 6 before you take on more hours — exceeding your approved scope can put your visa status itself at risk.

The procedures and contacts here reflect the time of writing, and rules can change — confirm the latest details through official channels before you apply or file anything.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I apply to change workplaces?

Workplace changes go through the Employment Permit System (EPS) process — check the EPS system and your local employment center for the current procedure and eligible reasons before you leave a job on your own.

What if my pay doesn't match my contract?

Compare your employment contract against your pay stubs first, then contact Ministry of Employment and Labor counseling to ask or file a report. Foreign workers get the same Labor Standards Act protections as Korean workers.

Can I get help if my Korean isn't strong?

Call the Foreigner Comprehensive Information Center at 1345 for multilingual counseling through an interpreter. It's also a good first call when you're not sure which agency to ask.

Can international students work part-time freely?

No — only within hours and job types you've been pre-approved for, which depend on your visa status and whether school is in session. Confirm your specific conditions with HiKorea or your university's international office.

My employer won't give me a copy of my contract. What now?

You're entitled to a copy — request it directly. If they keep refusing, raise it through Ministry of Employment and Labor counseling.

I was injured on the job — who do I notify?

It may qualify as an industrial accident, so get medical treatment right away and check the process through labor counseling or the 1345 hotline. Keep records of the incident and your treatment as you go.

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Foreign Workers in Korea: 6 Job & Labor Resources to Know | Golladream