What should I do if the company where I worked on an E-7-4 visa closes down?

The company closing is not your fault, so you can move to another company and keep working. But you must get permission to change your workplace from Immigration first, before you start work at the new company.

Prepare these documents first

• Proof of suspension or closure: such as a business closure certificate (폐업사실증명). It shows you are moving because of the company's situation.
• New employment contract: Immigration checks if it meets the salary standard.
• Business documents of the new company: Immigration checks if the company can hire foreigners.
• Basic documents: application form, passport, Alien Registration Card, fee

How to proceed

1. Get proof of closure first. It becomes hard to get once the company disappears.
2. Find a new company. A workplace change is approved only when the worker is not at fault, such as suspension or closure, poor business conditions, or contract expiration. In the review, Immigration looks at your qualifications, whether the new company meets the requirements, and the allowed number of foreign workers per company. It uses the same standards as when you first got your visa.
3. Apply for permission to change your workplace at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or at the Immigration office for your address. The fee is 120,000 KRW.
4. Start work at the new company only after you get permission.

⚠️ Things to be careful about

• If you work at the new company before permission, it may be illegal employment.
• If you got E-7-4 through a recommendation from a metropolitan or provincial government, you must keep your address in that city or province for more than 2 years after the change. If you changed under the special rule for non-capital regions, the required period is 3 years. Be sure to check that the new company also meets this condition.
• It is not clear whether there is a set period during which you may stay without work. Do not delay. Prepare quickly. If your period of stay ends soon, also apply for an extension before it ends.

If you do not have a new company right away, or your situation is complicated, try the K-VISA AI administrative agent (행정사) consultation in the Visa Service in the app. Before you apply, check once more with HiKorea or 1345.