Maritime Crew(E-10)
| Scope of Activities | Employment in Korea as a domestic seafarer
Employment in Korea as a crew member on a fishing vessel over 20 tons Employment in Korea as a crew member on a cruise passenger ship over 2,000 tons Previously, the Seafarer Employment (E-10) status was regulated together with Non-Professional Employment (E-9) under the “Manual for Simple Labor,” but guidelines for Seafarer Employment (E-10), which is not subject to the Employment Permit System, are now applied separately. Previously, the Seafarer Employment (E-10) status was regulated together with Non-Professional Employment (E-9) under the “Manual for Simple Labor,” but guidelines for Seafarer Employment (E-10), which is not subject to the Employment Permit System, are now applied separately. |
| Eligible Persons | Domestic Seafarer (E-10-1)
* Persons engaged in businesses under Article 3(1) (Domestic Scheduled Passenger) and (2) (Domestic Non-Scheduled Passenger) and Article 23(1) (Domestic Cargo Transport) of the Shipping Act, and who have entered into a seafarer employment contract with the business on the condition of providing labor for at least 6 months, and who correspond to “crew members” under Article 2(6) of the Seafarers Act (limited to crew members on domestic vessels of 5 tons or more, excluding fishing vessels, to which the Seafarers Act applies). Fishing Vessel Crew (E-10-2) * Persons engaged in businesses under Article 7(1)(1) (Set Net Fisheries), Article 40(1) (Nearshore Fisheries Using Powered Fishing Vessels), and Article 51(1) (Fish Transport) of the Fisheries Act, and who have entered into a seafarer employment contract with the business (on a fishing vessel of 20 tons or more) on the condition of providing labor for at least 6 months, and who correspond to “crew members” under Article 2(6) of the Seafarers Act. Cruise Passenger Ship Crew (E-10-3) * Persons who are operators of a national cruise business under Article 2(7) of the Act on the Promotion and Support of the Cruise Industry, who operate a business using an international cruise ship under Article 2(4) of the same Act, and who have entered into a seafarer employment contract with the business on the condition of providing labor for at least 6 months, and who correspond to “crew members” under Article 2(6) of the Seafarers Act while serving on a cruise ship of 2,000 tons or more under the provisions of Article 3 of the Enforcement Decree of the Shipping Act. |
| Maximum Period of Stay Grantable at One Time | 3 years |
| Permission for Activities Outside Status of Stay | Permission for Activities Outside Status of Stay for Fishing Vessel Crew (E-10-2)
* Targe : Fishing Vessel Crew (E-10-2) * Other Status of Stay Allowed : Non-Professional Employment (E-9) * Applicable Activities : Tasks related to catch, such as drying and packaging, connected to the caught products * Conditions for Permission : All of the following must be satisfied: ▪ The original employer and the employer at the site for the activity outside the status of stay must be the same ▪ Tasks must be incidental to production activities in the process from catch to sale * Timing, Number, and Duration of Permission : ▪ Timing : During the fishing season (applications allowed during closed season) ▪ Number of People Allowed : Up to 1/3 of the foreign crew actually working on the vessel (fractions rounded down) ▪ Duration : Cannot exceed 1/3 of the stay period granted under the current status of stay |
| Change or Addition of Workplace | If a seafarer finds it difficult to maintain a normal employment relationship due to the closure or suspension of a workplace, they may apply for a workplace change with the recommendation of the local Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office Director.
Required Documents ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport, foreigner registration card, fee ② Foreign Employment Recommendation issued by the Korea Shipping Association or the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives ③ Employment contract ④ Business registration certificate ⑤ Industrial accident documents or medical certificate (if necessary) ⑥ Guarantee of identity ※ Note: Even when transferring between vessels of the same shipping company (shipowner), prior approval for workplace change must be obtained. In this case, the fee is exempt. |
| Granting of Status of Stay | Not applicable |
| Permission for Change of Status of Stay | Not applicable |
| Permission for Extension of Stay | A. Extension Criteria
* The stay period that can be granted at one time for seafarers shall be within 3 years, allowing a maximum stay of up to 3 years after the first entry. * However, if the employment activity period extension is granted due to re-employment, the total stay may be allowed up to 4 years and 10 months from the first entry. Required Documents ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport, foreigner registration card, fee ② Employment contract ③ Copy of Business Registration Certificate ④ Guarantee of identity ⑤ Foreign Seafarer Employment Recommendation (E-10-1, E-10-3, Korea Shipping Association), Recommendation for Extension of Employment Activity Period (E-10-2, National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives) ⑥ Proof of residence (lease contract, confirmation of accommodation provision, notice of impending stay expiration, utility payment receipts, dormitory payment receipts, etc.) * For those seeking employment due to termination during the stay period, stay extension may be granted within 3 months from the termination date. * Eligible Persons : Those with at least 4 months remaining of the total allowable stay period (3 years) * Required Documents : ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport, foreigner registration card ② Written pledge ※ Fee for stay extension permission is exempted 2. Procedure for Extending Employment Activity Period for Seafarers Whose Employment Period Has Expired (Re-employment Exception) A. Eligible Persons Domestic Seafarers (E-10-1), Fishing Vessel Crew (E-10-2), and Cruise Passenger Ship Crew (E-10-3) whose 3-year employment period after initial entry has expired, but whose employer wishes to re-employ them B. Stay Period * The stay period granted at one time may not exceed 3 years, and the total stay may not exceed 4 years and 10 months from the first entry. C. Application Procedure * In principle, apply for permission from 2 months prior to the expiration date of the stay until the expiration date. ※ The final approved extension period cannot exceed 4 years and 10 months from the first entry. D. Required Documents ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport, foreigner registration card, fee ② Foreign Seafarer Employment Recommendation (issued by the Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office Director) ③ Seafarer Employment Contract ④ Copy of Business Registration Certificate ⑤ Guarantee of identity (if guarantee period has expired) ⑥ Proof of residence (lease contract, confirmation of accommodation provision, notice of impending stay expiration, utility payment receipts, dormitory payment receipts, etc.) |
| Re-entry Permit | 1. Implementation of Re-entry Permit Exemption System (Revised Enforcement Rules effective Dec. 1, 2010)
* Foreigners who have completed registration are exempt from re-entry permit if re-entering within 1 year from the date of departure. * If the remaining period of stay is less than 1 year, re-entry permit is exempt within the remaining period of stay. ※ However, those subject to entry restrictions or visa issuance restrictions must visit the immigration office with jurisdiction over their place of stay to obtain a re-entry permit. |
| Foreigner Registration | 1. Documents Required for Foreigner Registration
① Application form (Form No. 34), original passport, one standard-size photo, fee ② Domestic Passenger Transport Business License or Domestic Cargo Transport Registration Certificate ③ Health Examination Certificate (must be submitted sealed in an envelope, not to be opened) ④ Drug Test Certificate (must be submitted sealed in an envelope, not to be opened) ⑤ Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance or Accident Insurance Certificate ⑥ Proof of Residence |
| Others | 1. Employment Change Report
A. Persons Obligated to Report Those who employ foreign seafarers under Seafarer Employment (E-10). B. Reporting Deadline Report to the Director of the immigration office with jurisdiction over the address in accordance with Article 19(1) of the Immigration Control Act and Article 24(1) of its Enforcement Decree. * Termination, resignation, or employment contract changes: within 15 days from the date the reason occurs * Death or disappearance: within 15 days from the date the reason is known C. Reporting Method In-person report : Directly visit the immigration office with jurisdiction over the place of stay Fax report : 1577-1346, HiKorea e-Government service ([www.hikorea.go.kr](http://www.hikorea.go.kr)) * Can be reported without distinguishing the immigration office of jurisdiction (system automatically sorts) * Only processed if within the above reporting deadlines D. Required Documents * Employment/trainee foreigner change report (Form No. 32, Enforcement Rules), copy of foreigner registration card, copy of business registration certificate, handover confirmation for resigned foreign seafarers * Employer ID (if reporting directly by employer) * If reported by company staff on behalf of employer: power of attorney from employer, certificate of employment, staff ID E. Reasons for Report and Actions * When a foreigner is dismissed or resigns mid-term * Resignation due to contract expiration does not require reporting * When a foreigner dies * When the whereabouts of an employed foreigner cannot be confirmed * When important contents of the employment contract are changed : * Contract period change * Change of employer or representative * Change of workplace name * Change of workplace location due to relocation 2. Employer Compliance Obligations * Comply with all reporting requirements * Exercise diligent management to prevent unauthorized departure, human rights violations, unfair treatment, or wage arrears * Ensure foreign seafarers carry their foreigner registration card or passport when leaving the workplace * Maintain a list of employed seafarers at the workplace (or work location) for inspections by relevant authorities * Take immediate departure measures if a seafarer wishes to leave the country ※ If it is found that the inviter neglected compliance management or reporting obligations, issuance of visa approval certificates and other permissions may be restricted |
