Employment Contract
Getting a written contract (electronic is fine) stating your wage, contracted hours, holidays, annual leave, etc. when you start is a legal right (Labor Standards Act Art. 17). An employer who fails to deliver it can be penalized. Check it includes wage, hours, holidays, duties, and contract period; signing without understanding it often leads to disputes later, so always keep your own copy. It applies to every worker regardless of nationality or visa.
What to prepare
- Passport and ARC
- A copy of the signed contract
- (If possible) a translation in your language
How to proceed
- 1Ask for a written contract — a verbal promise is not enough
- 2Check it states wage, hours, holidays, duties, and contract period
- 3Ask about anything you don’t understand before signing
- 4Always keep your own copy of the signed contract
Tips
- E-9 (Employment Permit System) uses the government’s standard contract (Korean + your language — a contract you can’t read is where disputes begin).
- ⚠️ If actual conditions (wage, hours, duties) differ from the contract, don’t assume — consult ☎1350 or the employment center.
- Failing to deliver a written contract can itself be a violation (penalties apply) — request it.
- Understand everything before signing, and never sign a contract with blank fields.
Key contacts
- Ministry of Employment and Labor counseling ☎1350 (multilingual)
- MOEL standard contract forms moel.go.kr
Related guides
This is general information and has no legal force. Labor and residence rules depend on your situation and policy — always verify with experts (Ministry of Employment and Labor ☎1350, a labor attorney) and official sources.
Last updated: 2026-06-09