South Korea · Jobs
Where to find jobs in South Korea — major job boards, in-demand sectors, and how to apply.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Work24 is Korea's official integrated employment service and job board, and it consolidated the former WorkNet in 2024 — so references to WorkNet are dated. Foreign workers need a visa that allows employment, such as the E-series work visas or, for some sectors, the Employment Permit System. The point worth knowing is that work rights do not only come from work visas: some residence visas, including F-2, F-5 and F-6, also allow work.
Work24 (work24.go.kr) — which consolidated the former WorkNet in 2024 — is Korea's official integrated employment service and job board, run by the government. Foreign workers need a visa that allows employment, such as the E-series work visas or, for some sectors, the Employment Permit System.
- Work24 (work24.go.kr) is the official integrated employment service (formerly WorkNet), covering listings and benefits.
- Foreign workers need an employment-permitting visa (e.g. E-7 skilled, or the Employment Permit System E-9 for some sectors).
- Some residence visas also allow work (e.g. F-2, F-5, F-6).
- The Minimum Wage Council sets the annual national minimum wage.
- 1
Use Work24, not WorkNet
Work24 consolidated the former WorkNet in 2024. Guidance still pointing at WorkNet is dated, and that is usually a signal about the rest of its detail too.
- 2
Check whether your residence visa already allows work
Some residence visas, including F-2, F-5 and F-6, also allow work. If you hold one, you may not need a separate work visa at all, which changes the whole search.
- 3
Identify the right work-visa series
The E-series covers skilled work visas such as E-7. Establishing which series fits the role you are targeting keeps the search aligned with what you can actually take up.
- 4
Consider the Employment Permit System route
For some sectors the Employment Permit System, with the E-9 visa, is the applicable route. It is sector-specific, so it fits some searches and not others.
- 5
Use Work24 for listings and benefits
Work24 is an integrated service covering listings and benefits together. Because it consolidates functions that used to sit apart, it is worth exploring beyond the job search itself.
- Work24 used rather than outdated WorkNet references
- Current visa checked for existing work rights
- F-series work permission considered if applicable
- Appropriate E-series visa identified
- Employment Permit System route assessed
- Sector eligibility checked for that route
- Work24 benefits features reviewed alongside listings
- Work24 (Korea employment service)
Official integrated employment portal (formerly WorkNet).
- HiKorea (work visas)
Official immigration portal for work-visa procedures.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to WorkNet in Korea?
Work24 consolidated it in 2024 and is now the official integrated employment service covering listings and benefits. Guidance still pointing at WorkNet is dated, which usually says something about the rest of its detail too.
Do I always need a work visa to work in Korea?
Not necessarily. Some residence visas, including F-2, F-5 and F-6, also allow work — so if you hold one you may not need a separate work visa at all. Checking your current visa first can change the whole shape of the search.
What is the Employment Permit System for?
It is the applicable route for some sectors, using the E-9 visa. Because it is sector-specific it suits some searches and not others, so check whether the work you are targeting falls within its scope before pursuing it.
Government portals
- Government of Korea — Korea's integrated government portal — policy, administrative services, e-government
- Korea Immigration Service (HiKorea) — Visas, residence status changes, work permits, and alien registration in Korea
- National Tax Service (NTS) — Korean income tax, corporate tax, VAT filing; annual comprehensive tax return for foreigners (May); foreign taxpayer incentive lookup