Benefits of Hiring Foreign Employees 🌍

Global Talent Recruitment, Partner with Kowork! 🌎

Hello, this is Kowork!

Are you considering hiring foreign employees but find the process too complicated? Many HR professionals feel the same, but that’s where Kowork comes in!

Not only do we provide valuable resources and assistance for companies hiring foreign employees, but there are also a variety of benefits and support programs available for companies that proceed with foreign recruitment.

Let’s break down the key benefits and supports available when hiring foreign employees! ☺️

1. What is the Foreign Employment Permit System?

The Foreign Employment Permit System allows companies to legally hire foreign workers with government approval when it is difficult to find local talent.

• Eligible Industries
  • Manufacturing: Fewer than 300 employees or less than 8 billion KRW in capital
  • Construction: All construction projects (excluding industrial facility construction)
  • Agriculture and Livestock: Crop farming, livestock farming, and related services
  • Fishing: Inshore/offshore fishing, aquaculture, etc.
  • Services: Waste treatment, cold storage, recycled materials collection, etc.
• Benefits
  • Permission to hire foreign employees when local recruitment is difficult
  • Simplified issuance of work permits and visas
  • Government administrative support to reduce hiring burdens
• Summary of Procedures
  • Efforts to hire locals: Conduct recruitment activities for 7–14 days before applying for foreign workers
  • Permit Application: Apply through the Employment Permit System (EPS website)
  • Worker Selection and Contract: Refer to skill test results to select candidates and finalize employment contracts
  • Visa Issuance and Entry Preparation: Issue visas and arrange for workers' arrival

💡 Kowork Tip
To prove your efforts in hiring locals, prepare records of recruitment activities (e.g., job ads in newspapers or online platforms) conducted through the relevant employment center.

2. Training Cost Support for Foreign Employees

Foreign employees can quickly adapt to their roles through training cost support programs.

• Support Includes
  • Vocational training, Korean language education, and safety training
  • Partial or full coverage of training expenses
• Application Method
  • Apply via HRD-Net
  • Visit the employment center in your business area

💡 Kowork Tip
Providing Korean language education is crucial for improving communication and efficiency. Adding job-specific technical training can lead to even greater productivity gains.

3. Reimbursement of Employment Training Costs

Foreign workers must complete employment training within 15 days of entry, and companies can partially reimburse the training fees.

• Reimbursement Conditions
  • Employers enrolled in employment insurance
  • Foreign workers who have completed employment training
• Reimbursement Process
  1. Pay the training fee and obtain a training completion certificate
  2. Submit the fee receipt and certificate to the Korea Human Resources Development Service
  3. Receive partial reimbursement (approximately 60,000 KRW)

💡 Kowork Tip
Applications must be made within three years of training completion. Prepare all necessary documents in advance to avoid delays.

4. Employee Entry and Employment Training

Foreign employees must complete employment training after arriving in Korea before being assigned to their workplaces.

• Procedure
  • Visa Issuance: Issue a visa through the Visa Issuance Confirmation system after signing an employment contract
  • Employment Training: Complete training within 15 days of arrival (includes health checkups)
  • Workplace Assignment: Workers are assigned to workplaces after completing training
• Training Costs
  • Manufacturing: ~234,000 KRW
  • Agriculture: ~260,000 KRW
  • Construction: ~280,000 KRW

💡 Kowork Tip
Training fees vary by industry, so confirm costs and reimbursement eligibility with the Human Resources Development Service in advance.

5. Workplace Improvement Support Funds

Small and medium-sized enterprises hiring many foreign employees can apply for funds to improve working conditions.

• Support Includes
  • Improving dormitory facilities
  • Providing workplace safety equipment
  • Enhancing employee welfare

💡 Kowork Tip
When applying for support funds, prepare detailed improvement plans and photos of the current working conditions to strengthen your application.

6. Health and Medical Support for Foreign Employees

Support is available to help manage the health of foreign employees.

• Support Includes
  • Partial coverage of health checkup costs
  • Reduced medical expenses through industrial accident insurance
• Application Method
  • Apply through the local public health center or employment center

💡 Kowork Tip
Regular health checkups and preventive health measures can help ensure the long-term productivity of your foreign workforce.

Don’t Worry About Hiring Foreign Employees Anymore!

Utilize the above benefits and procedures to create a better environment for hiring foreign employees.

💬 For additional inquiries, feel free to contact Kowork anytime! 💙