Korea opens final 2026 round of foreign worker permits
Korea will accept its final round of applications this year for foreign worker visas starting Nov. 23, offering 6,699 new permits to help businesses ease persistent labor shortages while introducing incentives for employers who complete human rights and labor law training, the Ministry of Employment and Labor said Thursday. The five-day application window, running through Nov. 27, covers…
Korea initiated its concluding 2026 cycle for foreign worker visas on November 23, granting 6,699 new permits to assist businesses grappling with labor shortages. The Ministry of Employment and Labor disclosed this on Thursday. The five-day application period concludes on November 27 and encompasses nonprofessional employment visas, or E-9, across five primary industries.
Manufacturing dominates the quota, with 4,510 slots, followed by agriculture and livestock (954), fisheries (897), construction (198), and services (140). In the event of employer demand surpassing sector quotas, officials revealed they will utilize a flexible reserve pool of 10,000 supplementary permits. The declaration highlights Korea's increasing dependence on foreign labor to sustain its export-oriented factories, farms, and fishing industries amid one of the world's most rapidly aging populations and lowest birthrates. Recently, the government has incrementally expanded its Employment Permit System.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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