E-2 Visa Transfer in Korea | Change Employer or Add Workplace
This page is for teachers already in Korea on an E-2 visa who are either transferring to a new primary employer or adding a secondary workplace. It outlines the standard process, the documents generally prepared for each case, and the official channels used for reservations, forms, and immigration filing. If you are changing jobs while remaining in Korea, preparing the correct documents early and following the proper procedure within the required reporting period can help prevent unnecessary delays.
📑 Table of Contents
Key Points
- Changing workplace is a report, not a permission. Under the Immigration Act §21(1) proviso, E-2 teachers file a report within 15 days of starting the new job — advance approval is not required.
- Use the immigration office with jurisdiction over your current place of residence.
- File the report within 15 days of the change. Late filing is an administrative fine of up to ₩2,000,000 (§100(1)3) — not a criminal penalty.
- Report any Residence Card detail changes or address changes within 15 days.
- Transfer Prepare the transfer documents for a change of primary workplace.
- Add workplace Prepare the additional workplace documents for a secondary job.
Which Form Do I Submit?
Use the Integrated Application (Report) Form and check “Change or Addition of Workplace”. Fill in both your current workplace details and your new workplace details.
■ Download the Integrated Application (Report) Form
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Documents to Prepare
For Transfer (change of primary workplace)
From the Teacher
- Passport (original)
- Residence Card (ARC) (original)
- Integrated Application (Report) Form — check “Change or Addition of Workplace”
- New Employment Contract (signed)
- Letter of Release (LOR) — not required where your school closed or suspended business, or where you worked to your contract’s end date or to a date both sides agreed on (Enforcement Rule, appended table 5-2). It bites only when you leave mid-contract through your own fault (Ministry of Justice Notice 2020-212).
- Proof that the previous employment ended normally, if the previous contract already ended
- Labor Income Withholding Receipt
- Amount of Income Certificate
- Photocopy of the accommodation lease (숙소임대차계약서 사본), provided by your employer if your employer provides housing
- Confirmation letter for the accommodation (거주/숙소제공확인서), provided by your employer if your employer provides housing
From the New Employer
- Business Registration Certificate
- Hagwon Establishment / Operation Certificate
- School status report / company information sheet / license or approval documents
- Timetable or role description
For Add Workplace (secondary job)
From the Teacher
- Passport (original)
- Residence Card (ARC) (original)
- Integrated Application (Report) Form — check “Change or Addition of Workplace”
- New Employment Contract for the additional workplace
- Permission / Consent Letter from your current primary employer
- Photocopy of the accommodation lease (숙소임대차계약서 사본)
- Confirmation letter for the accommodation (거주/숙소제공확인서)
From the Additional Employer
- Business Registration Certificate
- Hagwon Establishment / Operation Certificate
- School status report / company information sheet / license or approval documents
- Timetable or role description
Important: Immigration offices have run on a booking system since April 2021, and workplace-change reporting is not on the walk-in exception list. Do not turn up without a slot — widen your search to neighbouring offices, or call 1345 and explain that your 15-day deadline is close. The filing deadline still applies.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Reserve your visit on HiKorea and select the office that covers your current residence.
- Prepare the correct document set for either transfer or add workplace.
- Visit the immigration office, submit the form and documents, and pay the applicable fee.
- Receive approval and complete any Residence Card update process required by the office.
- Report address changes within the legal deadline if you have moved.
Timing & Fees
- Deadline: File the workplace-change report within 15 days of starting the new job. Late filing: administrative fine up to ₩2,000,000 (§100(1)3).
- Processing time: Processing times depend on office volume and case details.
- Fees: Fees differ depending on the office service and Residence Card handling.
FAQs
1) Is the Letter of Release (LOR) always required?
No. The Enforcement Rule (appended table 5-2) names the consent letter but expressly excepts three situations: the former workplace closed or suspended business; you worked to the contract’s expiry date; or you worked to a date both sides agreed on. Ministry of Justice Notice 2020-212 drops you out of the report track only if you left mid-contract through your own fault and cannot obtain the former employer’s consent. Add workplace: a consent letter from your current primary employer is needed, because none of the three exceptions applies while you keep working there.
2) Are tax documents required?
They are not statutory documents. The Enforcement Rule’s document list for an E-2 workplace change (appended table 5-2) does not include tax paperwork. Some immigration offices still ask for a Labor Income Withholding Receipt or an Amount of Income Certificate to confirm the previous job ended, so check with your office before you go.
3) Which form should I use?
Use the Integrated Application (Report) Form and check “Change or Addition of Workplace.”
4) What is the deadline?
File the workplace-change report within 15 days of starting the new job (§21(1) proviso). Late filing is an administrative fine of up to ₩2,000,000 (§100(1)3). A change of address must also be reported within 15 days (§36).
5) What if I cannot get a reservation?
Do not simply turn up. Since April 2021 every immigration office runs on a booking system, and workplace-change reporting is not on the walk-in exception list (which covers residence-card collection, certificate issuance and a few others). Widen your search to neighbouring offices, or call the Immigration Contact Center on 1345 and explain that your 15-day deadline is close.
Quick Links
HiKorea Main
HiKorea e-Application
HiKorea Visit Reservation
HiKorea Forms
Requirements may vary by case and by immigration office. Always follow the instructions given by the immigration office with jurisdiction over your residence.