What happens if I work on a G-1 (Other) visa without permission?

Working on a G-1 visa without permission violates the Immigration Act. You usually have to pay a fine (notification disposition, 통고처분). If you do not pay the fine, you can be reported to prosecutors and the case can move to criminal proceedings. Depending on the type of work and your stay status, you can even be placed in protective custody (detention) or ordered to leave the country.

How each case is handled

• Humanitarian stay holders: If you work without permission, the rule is to pay a fine and then receive stay permission.
• Refugee applicants (worked within 6 months of applying): You pay a fine for violating the rules that restrict employment of foreigners.
• Refugee applicants (worked without permission after 6 months had passed): You pay a fine for activities outside your status of stay.
• Working in a prohibited type of work (entertainment and gambling businesses, private tutoring, etc. For refugee applicants, construction is also included): You are punished by the same standards as other foreigners.
• Caught working after your period of stay has expired: You usually receive protective custody.

The fine may be reduced after considering your reason for applying, your ability to pay, the reason you started working, and similar factors.

What to do right now

1. Stop any work you are doing without permission right away.
2. Always get permission for activities outside your status of stay (체류자격외 활동허가) before you work. The documents are the basic documents (application form, passport, registration card, fee), an employment contract, and a copy of the business registration certificate. The fee is usually 120,000 KRW.
3. If your company changes, you must get permission again before you work at the new company.
4. If you have already been caught or received a summons to appear, do not deal with it alone. First get a consultation with the K-VISA AI administrative agent (행정사) (Visa Service in the app).

For exact handling, be sure to check with your local immigration office or the Foreigner Comprehensive Information Center (외국인종합안내센터) (1345).