14/11/2025
South Korea to Recruit More Foreign Workers to Ease Labor Shortage in Small Companies — 5th Round Application Dates Announced .
The Ministry of Employment and Labor of South Korea has announced a new round of recruitment for foreign workers (E-9 visa) to address the growing labor shortage in small and medium-sized enterprises.
According to the ministry, applications for the 5th round of employment permits will be accepted from November 24 to 28 at local employment offices across the country.
A total of 9,326 foreign workers will be hired under this phase, distributed across various sectors as follows:
• Manufacturing: 6,530
• Shipbuilding: 250
• Agriculture and Livestock: 940
• Fishery: 832
• Construction: 178
• Service sector: 596
If the demand for workers exceeds the quota, an additional 32,000 slots may be allocated for adjustment, the ministry stated.
The allocation of foreign workers will be based on criteria such as workplace safety, labor management, and housing facilities. Companies with poor safety records, labor law violations, or fatal accidents will receive negative evaluations.
Employers seeking to hire foreign workers must first attempt to recruit local workers for seven days. If unsuccessful, they can apply through nearby employment offices or via the Work24 website.
The employment permit results will be announced on December 12, and official permits will be issued between December 15 and 22.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor expressed confidence that this initiative will help reduce labor shortages in small and medium-sized industries and support stable business operations.