Foreign Worker Wage Regulations Guide (E-9, F-2-R)

In this session, we will learn about the basics regarding the employment of foreign workers, including the wage regulations for foreign workers, for the E-7 visa and F-2-R visa.

□ 24-year GNI and foreign worker wage ratio

The wage regulations required when hiring foreign workers are divided into two: the minimum wage system and the GNI ratio per capita.

First, GNI stands for Gross National Income, and when this is converted into an amount per person, it becomes GNI per capita.

Because GNI fluctuates annually and changes depending on exchange rates, the government announces the GNI per capita amount every July.

Among the employment visas for foreigners, the E-7-1 (professional worker) visa and the F-2-R (regional specialized) visa are professional visas, and are issued per person.

The wages of foreign workers should be calculated in line with the GNI amount.

○ 2024 GNI (2024.7~2025.03): KRW 44,051,000

○ Gross National Income (GNI) 80% (KRW 35,240,800) or higher: E-7-1 (Professional) Visa 67 occupations and

E-7-3 (semi-professional personnel) Shipbuilding welders, shipbuilding painters, shipbuilding electrical engineers

○ Gross National Income (GNI) 70% (KRW 30,835,700) or higher: Special companies among 67 occupations for F-2-R visas and E-7-1 visas

※ Special companies: Small and medium-sized enterprises in the metropolitan area (small and medium-sized enterprise confirmation certificate), venture companies (venture enterprise confirmation certificate),

Non-metropolitan medium-sized enterprise (medium-sized enterprise certificate)

□ Occupations subject to minimum wage system

However, foreign workers who fall under certain occupations of E-7-2 visa and E-7-3 and E-7-4 visa are subject to the domestic minimum wage system.

Just apply the wages.

However, even if you are a foreigner, the domestic Labor Standards Act applies to overtime work and special work, so please refer to the necessary information or special matters.

It is important to check these points in advance in the employment contract to avoid problems later.