2026 Round 3 E-9 Employment Permit Application Guide — July 6–20, 12,630 Slots Allocated
📌 What You Will Learn in This Guide
- Round 3 E-9 allocation size and breakdown by industry
- Full timeline: application period, results, and permit issuance
- The mandatory 7-day domestic recruitment requirement and how to meet it
- 6-step detailed guide for online application via Work24 (work24.go.kr)
- Required document checklist
- HR manager final review checklist
- Rounds 4 & 5 upcoming schedule and FAQ
If your Korean SME plans to hire foreign workers in the second half of 2026, mark your calendar right now. The Ministry of Employment and Labor has officially announced that Round 3 E-9 (Non-Professional Employment) work permit applications will be accepted from July 6 to July 20. A total of 12,630 slots have been allocated this round, led by manufacturing (9,020 slots) and followed by agriculture & livestock, fisheries, construction, and services.
The E-9 Employment Permit System (고용허가제) allows Korean SMEs that could not hire domestic workers to receive a government-issued permit and legally employ foreign non-professional labor. This guide walks HR managers through every step of Round 3 from start to finish.
A separate flexible allocation pool of 10,000 slots is reserved for this round. If demand in any sector exceeds the fixed quota, additional permits will be drawn from this pool. Submit within the application window — that is what counts.
Allocation by Industry — Manufacturing: 9,020 Slots, Plus 10,000 Flexible Reserve
Round 3 allocates 12,630 slots in total. Manufacturing leads with 9,020 slots — 71.4% of the total. Agriculture & livestock receives 1,906, fisheries 1,196, construction 394, and services 114. Even smaller-quota sectors can tap the flexible pool when demand exceeds the fixed number.
| Industry | Slots | Share | Typical Job Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 9,020 | 71.4% | Production, assembly, packaging, machine operation |
| Agriculture & Livestock | 1,906 | 15.1% | Crop cultivation, livestock care, seasonal work |
| Fisheries | 1,196 | 9.5% | Coastal fishing vessel crew, aquaculture |
| Construction | 394 | 3.1% | Construction site labor, formwork, rebar work |
| Services | 114 | 0.9% | Restaurants, laundry, and select permitted sectors |
| Round 3 Total | 12,630 | 100% | + 10,000-slot flexible pool available |
⚠️ 10,000 Flexible Allocation Slots — Use Them
The Ministry has reserved a separate flexible pool of 10,000 slots. Do not give up your application because of quota concerns — submit within the window without fail.
Full Timeline — From July 6 Application to August Permit Issuance
| Stage | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Application Period | July 6–20 | Online via Work24 or in person at local Employment & Labor Office |
| Results Announced | August 4 | Check results on Work24 |
| Permit Issuance (Manufacturing & Mining) | August 5–11 | Collect from your local Employment & Labor Office |
| Permit Issuance (Other Industries) | August 12–19 | Agriculture, livestock, fisheries, forestry, construction, services |
| Round 4 Application | September (planned) | Watch for official Ministry announcement |
| Round 5 Application | November (planned) | Watch for official Ministry announcement |
Timeline from Permit to Worker Arrival
Worker selection (HRD Korea / 한국산업인력공단), contract signing, Certificate of Visa Issuance, visa issuance, and post-arrival training typically takes 2–4 months. Permit in August = earliest start October–November.
Before You Apply — The 7-Day Domestic Recruitment Requirement
Employers must prove a genuine effort to hire Korean workers for at least 7 days before applying. Register a job posting on WorkNet (www.work24.go.kr) for at least 7 days, then obtain a Recruitment Activity Certificate if no suitable hire is found.
To apply on July 6, post your WorkNet listing by June 29 at the latest. Posting today (June 26) satisfies the requirement by July 3.
📋 Domestic Recruitment Requirement Checklist
- WorkNet job posting registered for at least 7 days (specify job type, wage, and working conditions)
- If applicants applied, conduct interviews in good faith
- Obtain a Recruitment Activity Certificate confirming no suitable Korean hire was found
- No arbitrary layoffs of Korean workers in the 2 months prior to application (May–June)
- Active enrollment in employment insurance and industrial accident compensation insurance
- No history of unpaid wages (resolve any issues before applying)
💡 Tips for Writing Your WorkNet Job Posting
Be specific about job type, working conditions, and wage. Confirm pay meets minimum wage and clearly state worksite location and accommodation details. A vague posting may not count as valid domestic recruitment effort.
How to Apply on Work24 — 6-Step Detailed Guide
Go to www.work24.go.kr. You need a joint public certificate (공동인증서) or financial certificate. First-time users must register and enter their business registration number.
Verify the posting is done and export the Recruitment Activity Certificate as a PDF.
[Foreign Employment] → [Employment Permit Application]. The button activates from July 6.
Enter industry, number of workers, preferred sending country, job type, and working conditions. Accuracy is critical — false information leads to permit cancellation.
Upload PDFs — business registration certificate, Recruitment Activity Certificate, insurance certificates, etc. Save your receipt number.
Results August 4. Manufacturing & Mining collect August 5–11; all other industries August 12–19.
Required Documents — Online Submission Checklist
📋 Required Document Checklist
- Employment Permit Application Form (complete and print from Work24)
- Copy of Business Registration Certificate
- WorkNet Domestic Recruitment Activity Certificate (after 7+ day posting)
- Employment Insurance Enrollment Certificate
- Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Enrollment Certificate
- Certificate of No Unpaid Wages (from local Employment & Labor Office)
- Draft Standard Employment Contract
- Business Status Confirmation Form (may vary by industry)
- Dormitory Provision Certificate (if accommodation is provided)
⚠️ Key Notices
- Applications outside the July 6–20 window are not accepted
- Verify your permitted foreign employment ceiling before applying
- Businesses that laid off Korean workers within the past 2 months are ineligible
- Businesses with unpaid wage records will be disqualified
- False information results in permit cancellation and future application bans
HR Manager Final Checklist
✅ HR Manager Pre-Submission Final Checklist
- ☐ WorkNet 7+ day posting completed and Recruitment Activity Certificate obtained
- ☐ Work24 employer account login confirmed
- ☐ Latest business registration, employment insurance, and industrial accident insurance docs as PDFs
- ☐ No unpaid wage history confirmed
- ☐ No Korean worker layoffs in May–June confirmed
- ☐ Permitted foreign employment ceiling confirmed
- ☐ Accommodation and dormitory standards checked
- ☐ Standard employment contract prepared in Korean + workers' language
- ☐ Post-arrival 16-hour safety & health training schedule confirmed
- ☐ Ministry helpline (☎ 1350) or local office contact secured
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. We already employ E-9 foreign workers. Can we apply for more?
Yes, but only within your permitted foreign employment ceiling. Check current headcount and ceiling on Work24 first.
Q2. Does my application become void if the quota runs out?
No. The government has a separate flexible pool of 10,000 slots. Apply within the window no matter what.
Q3. What happens if we are rejected in Round 3?
Reapply in Round 4 (expected September). No automatic carry-over; Round 3 rejection does not disadvantage you in Round 4.
Q4. How long from permit issuance to the worker's first day?
Typically 2–4 months. Permits in August = workers could start as early as October–November.
Q5. We are in fisheries or agriculture and our quota is small. Are there other options?
Consider the E-8 (Seasonal Employment) visa — up to 5 months in agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, typically with a shorter lead time than E-9.
Wrap-Up — What to Do Right Now
- Today (June 26): Post domestic job listing on WorkNet (7 days satisfied by July 3)
- Before July 6: Scan and prepare all required documents
- July 6–20: Submit employment permit application on Work24
- August 4: Check results and prepare to collect the permit
- After August: Work with HRD Korea to select workers and prepare for arrival
DODREAM Is Here to Help
From preparing your E-9 work permit application to managing foreign workers after arrival, DODREAM's specialist team provides business-specific guidance tailored to your industry and scale.
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