When can I apply to extend my E-10 seafarer employment stay period, and what documents do I need?

For an E-10 extension, apply from 2 months before your expiry date until the expiry date. This applies to the re-employment special rule (when your 3-year employment period after first entry has ended and your employer wants to keep employing you). You usually apply at the Immigration Office (출입국·외국인청) with jurisdiction over your address (office or branch office).

Just prepare these documents

• Basic documents (application form, passport, Alien Registration Card, fee) — the fee is waived
• Recommendation letter for employing a foreign seafarer (외국인선원 고용추천서) — issued by the head of the Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries (지방해양수산청장)
• Seafarer employment contract (선원근로계약서) — shows you will keep working
• Copy of the business registration certificate (사업자등록증) — to confirm the employer's business
• Letter of identity guarantee (신원보증서) — submit only if the guarantee period has passed
• Proof of residence — lease contract, accommodation confirmation, utility bill receipt, dormitory fee receipt, etc.

Steps to apply

1. Your employer gets the recommendation letter. For fishing vessel seafarers (E-10-2), a recommendation from the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (수협중앙회) is sometimes used. For coastal and cruise passenger ship seafarers, a recommendation from the Korea Shipping Association (한국해운조합) is sometimes used.
2. Gather the documents and submit them to the Immigration Office with jurisdiction from 2 months before the expiry date until the day before the expiry date.
3. You go through the review. Immigration checks how the employer manages seafarers, whether the employer has reported employment changes, and more.

⚠️ Points to note

• The stay period you can get at one time is up to 3 years. Your total stay period cannot exceed 4 years and 10 months from your first entry date.
• If your contract with your workplace has ended and you are looking for a job, your stay may be extended for up to 3 months from the day the contract ended. In this case, your remaining allowed stay period must usually be 4 months or more. You also submit a pledge to leave the country voluntarily if you cannot get a workplace change within the period.
• If your expiry date passes, you may become an illegal resident. If you are late, get advice from an administrative agent (행정사) (K-VISA AI app visa service).

Before you submit, check the exact documents once more on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Foreigner Comprehensive Information Center (외국인종합안내센터) (1345).