How to Hire Filipino Skilled and Professional Workers for E7 Visa in Korea: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Hire Filipino Skilled and Professional Workers

Hiring skilled or professional Filipino workers on an E7 visa can greatly benefit Korean companies by bringing in experienced and reliable talent. Recently, we assisted a major semiconductor and electronics manufacturer in Korea to process the necessary documents and approvals through the Philippine Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). In this post, we outline the complete and detailed procedure to successfully hire and deploy Filipino professional and skilled workers to Korea.

Step 1: Verify E7 Visa Eligibility with Korean Immigration

Before beginning recruitment, your company must verify eligibility for hiring foreign professionals under the E7 visa category with the Korean Immigration Office. Immigration authorities will review your company’s financial stability, including annual revenue, number of Korean employees, and whether the proposed job positions align with the E7 visa allowed occupations.

For reference, the complete list of E7 visa-permissible occupations can be accessed via the official Korean Immigration website.

Step 2: Partner with a Philippine Recruitment Agency (PRA)

For hiring five or more Filipino workers, Korean companies are legally required to partner with an accredited Philippine Recruitment Agency (PRA). While companies can manage recruitment independently for fewer than five workers, engaging a PRA ensures streamlined and compliant processing, significantly reducing potential bureaucratic complications.

Step 3: Prepare Required Documentation for MWO and DMW Approval

The following documents must be prepared carefully and submitted:

• Job Order: A detailed outline specifying the employer’s information, job roles, number of employees required, salary, employment duration, working hours, and other employee benefits.
• Master Employment Contract: A standard employment contract format provided by the MWO, although companies can use their templates if all mandatory clauses from MWO are included. Essential clauses include provisions for repatriation in case of death or emergency.
• Special Power of Attorney: A document officially appointing and authorizing the PRA to manage recruitment procedures on behalf of your company.
• Recruitment Agreement: A formal contract between your company and the PRA outlining each party’s responsibilities and obligations.
• Contingency Plan: This document details the procedures your company will follow in emergencies, including repatriating employees or providing necessary welfare services if repatriation isn’t immediately feasible.
• Affidavit of Undertaking: A sworn statement affirming your company’s commitment to adhere to employment contract terms, protect employee rights, support workers during disputes, manage regular remittances, and cover repatriation expenses.

Step 4: Submission of Documents to MWO

Your PRA will initially submit the above documents along with its official DMW license to the MWO for preliminary checking and approval.

Step 5: Apostille Authentication of Business Registration

Companies must obtain an Apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for their business registration document (English version). This step can also be completed simultaneously with Step 2.

Step 6: Verification and Document Submission at MWO

All finalized documents, company profile in English, employer’s passport or ID copies, and one set of original and photocopied documents must be personally submitted to the MWO by a company representative. Each document submitted incurs a verification fee (KRW 13,420 per document; Recruitment Agreement is KRW 40,260).

Step 7: Document Review by MWO and DMW Approval

Post-submission, documents undergo verification by MWO, and subsequently forwarded to DMW in the Philippines for final approval and registration. Once approved, recruitment can officially commence through your designated PRA.

Additional Steps: Employer Interview and Accommodation Inspection

Although not included in all procedural documents provided by MWO, typically, employers must participate in an interview at the MWO office. Employers must also submit accommodation photos where workers will reside. MWO representatives may also conduct physical inspections of worker accommodations.

Location and Office Hours of MWO Seoul

The MWO Seoul office is located near the Philippine Embassy in Itaewon. Visiting hours are weekdays, excluding Fridays and Saturdays, from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

How Our Agency Can Help

Our agency provides complete document templates and detailed guidance on preparing and submitting the necessary documentation. For any queries regarding the hiring process, required forms, or detailed compliance guidelines, please feel free to contact us anytime. Our dedicated team ensures a smooth, compliant, and efficient recruitment process for Filipino professionals joining your team in Korea.