Overseas Koreans in the country all submit a "Domestic Simple Labor Non-Employment Pledge" without exception when applying for an F4 visa. This Simple Labor Non-Employment Pledge is a mandatory document that must be submitted when applying for an F4 visa. If not submitted, it's not just denied but returned with a request to "write the Simple Labor Non-Employment Pledge and come back."
The Simple Labor Non-Employment Pledge is, as the name suggests, a pledge not to work in simple labor. So, what happens after receiving the F4 visa with this document?
The reality seems to be different.
Many F4 visa holders often find employment in simple labor jobs after receiving their visas.
However, this issue becomes a significant problem not when holding an F4 visa, but when applying for the next level visa, the F5 visa (permanent residency). For instance, when required to submit proof of income, if the proof shows employment as a daily laborer or claims of working as a cook in a restaurant, the immigration office may demand relevant chef certification. There have been cases where individuals applying for an F5 visa (permanent residency) were fined.
With that introduction, let's look at the jobs that F4 visa holders (Overseas Koreans) cannot take.
Restricted Employment Activities for Overseas Koreans (F-4) Qualification
1. Simple Labor Activities
< Detailed Jobs that Fall Under Simple Labor Activities >
Category | Detailed Description |
(1) Construction Simple Worker (91001) | (1) Construction Simple Worker (91001) Refers to those engaged in simple and routine tasks involving physical labor related to construction and civil engineering. [Job Examples] Building construction laborer Simple laborer for masonry Demolition laborer Civil construction laborer Drainage maintenance laborer Well maintenance worker Dam construction laborer Building maintenance helper [Exclusions] Traditional building constructor (77241) Bricklayer (77251) Building demolisher (77293) |
(2) Mining Simple Laborer (91002) | It refers to individuals who perform simple and routine tasks associated with the removal of wooden and iron supports in closed workplaces in mines or quarries, as well as the extraction of limestone, clay, gravel, or sand in open-pit mining. 【Occupational Examples】 ∙ Quarry excavation laborer ∙ Mining simple laborer 【Exclusions】 ∙ Miner (77411) ∙ Quarryman (77412) |
(3) Loading and Unloading Simple Worker (92101) | Refers to those performing tasks related to packing, shipping, loading, and unloading goods at various manufacturers, markets, docks, and freight transporters. [Job Examples] Loader Unloader Land freight loader Dock worker Ship loader Product transporter |
(4) Moving Laborer (92102) | Refers to those involved in packing, shipping, loading, and unloading tasks for moving. [Job Examples] Moving laborer |
(5) Other Loading and Unloading Simple Workers (92109) | Refers to those performing similar tasks not included in the above classifications. This includes transporting office or household furniture and appliances from one place to another. [Job Examples] Furniture transporter Furniture loader Frozen goods transporter Fruit transporter Fish transporter Meat transporter Food transporter Warehouse transporter |
(6) Mail Delivery Worker (92210) | Refers to those collecting mail from mailboxes installed in the jurisdiction of the post office and delivering mail to the designated address in the jurisdiction. [Job Examples] Postman Mail delivery worker Mail deliverer |
(7) Courier (92221) | Refers to those transporting goods ordered or purchased by customers to the desired location using vehicles. [Job Examples] Courier deliverer |
(8) Other Couriers (92229) | Refers to those quickly delivering items such as documents, files, parcels, and telegrams as requested by the client. [Job Examples] Quick service deliverer Motorcycle quick service deliverer |
(9) Food Delivery Worker (92230) | Refers to those delivering various dishes from restaurants, etc., to specific locations as per customer requests. [Job Examples] Meal deliverer, Late-night snack deliverer, Dish deliverer, Lunchbox deliverer, Chinese food deliverer, Snack deliverer, Food deliverer, Chicken deliverer, Pizza deliverer |
(10) Beverage Delivery Worker (92291) | Refers to those regularly delivering milk, green juice, fermented milk, etc. [Job Examples] Milk deliverer (excluding door-to-door sales) Yogurt deliverer (excluding door-to-door sales) Green juice deliverer (excluding door-to-door sales) |
(11) Newspaper Delivery Worker (92292) | Refers to those delivering newspapers to homes or offices or other places as requested by regular subscribers. They may also collect newspaper fees. [Job Examples] Newspaper deliverer (excluding door-to-door sales) |
(12) Other Delivery Workers (92299) | Refers to those performing similar tasks not included in the above classifications. |
(13) Manual Packing Worker (93001) | Refers to those manually packing materials or products into boxes, bags, and other containers for shipping or storage. [Job Examples] Manual packer |
(14) Manual Label Applicator (93002) | Refers to those manually attaching labels or brands. [Job Examples] Manual label applicator Manual brand applicator |
(15) Building Cleaner (94111) | Refers to those cleaning and tidying up public buildings, offices, commercial buildings, apartments, etc. [Job Examples] Office cleaner Public building cleaner Studio apartment cleaner Apartment cleaner Hospital cleaner Hotel cleaner |
(16) Transportation Equipment Cleaner (94112) | Refers to those cleaning the exterior, floors, and windows of airplanes, ships, and trains. [Job Examples] Train cleaner Ship cleaner Airplane cleaner Bus cleaner |
(17) Other Cleaners (94119) | Refers to those performing similar tasks not included in the above classifications. |
(18) Garbage Collector (94121) | Refers to those collecting and disposing of garbage from buildings, yards, streets, and other public places using brooms, bags, tongs, plastic containers, etc. This also includes collecting human waste. [Job Examples] Garbage collector Garbage cleaner Human waste collector |
(19) Street Beautification Worker (94122) | Refers to those cleaning streets, airports, stations, and other public places. [Job Examples] Street beautification worker Park cleaner |
(20) Recyclable Collector (94123) | Refers to those collecting recyclables from buildings and other public places to recycle or sell after simple repairs. [Job Examples] Recyclable collector |
(21) Other Environmental Beautification and Recyclable Collectors (94129) | Refers to those performing similar tasks not included in the above classifications. |
(22) Apartment Security Guard (94211) | Refers to those patrolling the interior and exterior of apartments, controlling the entry and exit of people, and maintaining and managing various facilities. [Job Examples] Apartment security guard Villa security guard |
(23) Building Security Guard (94212) | Refers to those patrolling the interior and exterior of schools, controlling the entry and exit of people, and maintaining and managing various facilities. This also includes general buildings, workspaces, and factories. [Job Examples] Government building security guard School security guard, Commercial building security guard Building security guard, Hospital security guard Building security guard, Building facility security guard Building security officer, Market security guard Factory security guard, Construction site security guard Construction security guard |
(24) Other Building Managers (94219) | Refers to those performing similar tasks not included in the above classifications. [Job Examples] Church manager, Church caretaker, Park patroller Park safety officer, Park manager, Park order officer Playground order maintainer, Villa manager |
(25) Ticket Checker (94220) | Refers to those checking tickets and admitting visitors at parks, movie theaters, performance venues, sports stadiums, amusement parks, exhibition halls, etc. [Job Examples] Express bus ticket checker, Theater ticket checker Amusement park ticket checker, Toll ticket checker Ticket checker, Sauna ticket checker |
(26) Fast Food Preparer (95210) | Refers to those performing simple repetitive tasks in fast-food restaurants, such as grilling hamburgers or packing them in containers. [Job Examples] Fast food worker |
(27) Kitchen Assistant (95220) | Refers to those performing various cooking assistance tasks in restaurants, schools, hotels, restaurants, etc., under the direction of a chef or cook. [Job Examples] Kitchen assistant, Food ingredient washer Cook's assistant, School meal assistant |
(28) Gas Station Worker (95310) | Refers to those employed at gas stations or gas charging stations to sell fuel and other automotive consumables. [Job Examples] Gas station worker Gas charger |
(29) Store Arranger (95391) | Refers to those transporting products to be displayed and sold in retail stores or arranging shopping carts and other transport means. [Job Examples] Store arranger, Product transporter Sales assistant, Product display worker Shopping cart transporter, Arranger |
(30) Flyer Distributor and Poster Worker (95392) | Refers to those distributing various store or product advertising flyers to pedestrians on the street, subway stations, bus stops, etc. They also attach promotional materials such as posters to walls or bulletin boards. [Job Examples] Flyer distributor Poster worker |
(31) Other Sales-Related Workers (95399) | Refers to those performing similar tasks not included in the above classifications. |
(32) Forest Fire Watcher (99104) | This classification includes forest fire watchers who participate in forest fire prevention and suppression. [Job Examples] Forest fire watcher |
(33) Meter Reader (99211) | Refers to individuals who visit consumers' premises to read and record the usage of gas, water, and electricity meters. [Job Examples] Meter reader (gas, water, electricity, etc.) Electrical safety inspector |
(34) Gas Inspector (99212) | Refers to individuals who visit households and businesses using city gas or LP gas to check for gas leaks and other safety concerns related to gas usage. They may also request necessary actions based on their findings. [Job Examples] Gas inspector |
(35) Vending Machine Manager (99220) | Responsible for collecting various payments. Refers to individuals who maintain and manage vending machines and collect money from them. [Job Examples] Vending machine maintenance and collector |
(36) Parking Manager (99231) | Refers to individuals who operate, manage, and guide free or paid parking facilities for vehicles. [Job Examples] Parking manager Parking lot manager |
(37) Parking Guide (99232) | Refers to individuals who guide vehicles to free or paid parking facilities. [Job Examples] Parking guide |
(38) Shoe Polisher (99910) | Refers to individuals who visit offices, restaurants, etc., to collect shoes, polish or shine them, and perform simple repairs. [Job Examples] Shoe polisher Shoe shiner |
(39) Laundry Worker and Ironer (99920) | Refers to individuals who hand-wash clothing, textiles, and similar items or perform simple ironing to smooth out wrinkles. [Job Examples] Hand laundry worker Simple ironer [Exclusions] Dry cleaning machine operator (82301) Other laundry machine operators (82309) |
(40) Environmental Monitor (99991) | Refers to individuals who perform surveillance tasks for the protection of the natural environment. They patrol on foot and by vehicle to monitor and enforce against littering, fishing, water activities, wastewater discharge, etc. They report and take legal action against those who pollute the environment. They report to relevant departments to remove dumped pollutants. They also perform other surveillance activities for environmental protection. [Job Examples] Environmental monitor |
(41) Other Simple Service Workers (99999) | This classification includes individuals who perform similar tasks that are not included in the detailed classifications above. [Job Examples] Errand runner Attendant |
2. Acts contrary to good morals or other social order
(1) Engaging in businesses related to gambling activities
※ Gambling activities refer to actions that collect property or economic benefits from multiple people and determine specific outcomes through random methods, causing economic gains or losses. This includes spinning wheel businesses, lotteries, and prize businesses.
(2) Working as an entertainer in bars or similar establishments
※ Entertainment bar businesses primarily involve the sale of alcoholic beverages and may employ entertainers or have entertainment facilities. It's a business where customers are allowed to sing or dance.
(3) Engaging in businesses that go against good morals
※ Businesses that go against good morals include hostess bars and entertainment bars, and any other odd places. Think of it as working in a weird place. For instance, businesses that provide services where there's a risk of physical contact between unspecified people or exposure of private parts, or any sexual activities or similar acts. It also refers to businesses that produce, distribute harmful media or drugs for youth.
3. Other cases where it's deemed necessary to restrict employment for the sake of public interest or maintaining domestic employment order
<Jobs deemed necessary to restrict>
Service Workers
Type | Detailed Description |
(1) Foot Care Specialist (42233) | Refers to individuals who press, massage, and stimulate specific parts of the foot related to various body organs to relieve fatigue, promote blood circulation, prevent diseases, and maintain health. [Job Examples] Foot masseuse Foot care specialist |
(2) Bathhouse Attendant (42234) | Assists customers in bathing, provides massage, and beauty services to relieve fatigue. [Job Examples] Bathhouse attendant |
(3) Wedding Assistant (42320) | Prepares chairs, carpets, and other materials for weddings, guides the bride and groom's attire and behavior during the ceremony. This category also includes those who officiate weddings upon request. [Job Examples] Wedding assistant, Wedding staff Wedding usher, Professional officiant |
(4) Hotel Service Worker (43221) | Provides various services to hotel guests, including reception, room guidance, luggage transport, mail receipt and delivery, key management, laundry supply, and food service. [Job Examples] Bellman, Doorman Room service attendant, Bellboy |
(5) Other Accommodation Service Workers (43229) | Provides services to guests in condos, motels, and other accommodation facilities. [Job Examples] Condo service worker Motel attendant Inn attendant |
(6) Karaoke Service Worker (43232) | Assists customers with equipment in karaoke rooms and sells beverages, among other services. [Job Examples] Karaoke staff Karaoke manager |
(7) Other Entertainment Facility Service Workers (43239) | Refers to other entertainment facility workers not specified in the detailed classifications above. [Job Examples] PC room staff, PC room manager Video room staff, Video room manager Comic room manager |
(8) Golf Caddy (43292) | Assists golfers on the golf course by organizing golf bags and equipment, selecting the appropriate golf club based on distance, advising on the golf course and its features, and ensuring a pleasant golfing experience. [Job Examples] Caddy Golf assistant |
(9) Food Service Worker (44221) | Presents menus to customers in food establishments and takes food orders. [Job Examples] Banquet waiter/waitress Formal restaurant waiter/waitress Ship restaurant waiter/waitress Train dining car waiter/waitress |
(10) Beverage Service Worker (44222) | Takes orders and serves beverages like coffee, tea, and soft drinks in beverage establishments. They may also take orders for simple foods or alcoholic beverages. [Job Examples] Waiter Waitress |
(11) Alcohol Service Worker (44223) | Assists customers in selecting and serving alcoholic beverages in bars, clubs, etc., presents alcohol menus, answers questions about alcohol characteristics, and recommends alcohol that pairs well with meals. [Job Examples] Sommelier Wine steward Host (related to food and beverage) |
<Jobs deemed necessary to restrict>
Sales Workers
(12) Street Vendor and Mobile Salesperson (53220) | Sells various products without a fixed store, either by setting up temporary stalls on streets or by traveling. [Job Examples] Street vendor Mobile salesperson Newspaper stand salesperson Train cabin salesperson |