Korea Labor Contract Checklist for Foreign Students (2026)

Starting a job without a 근로계약서 (Labor Contract) makes it hard to prove your 시급 (hourly wage), work hours, or dismissal reason later. For foreign students, the risk is higher because wage problems can overlap with 시간제취업 (Part-Time Employment Permission) rules. The rule is simple: get permission first, read the contract, receive a copy, and then start work.

Final review date: 2026-05

8 things to check before signing

1. 시급

The 2026 최저임금 (Minimum Wage) is KRW 10,320 per hour under the Ministry of Employment and Labor notice. If an employer says “training,” “probation,” or “you are a foreigner” and offers less, check before signing. Weekly holiday allowance, night work, overtime, and holiday work pay may apply separately depending on the conditions.

2. Written 근로계약서 and copy

근로기준법 (Labor Standards Act) Article 17 requires key working conditions such as wages, agreed working hours, holidays, and paid annual leave to be stated. After signing, do not rely only on a phone photo. Receive a paper copy or PDF and keep it.

3. Work hours and breaks

The contract should show working days, start time, end time, and break time. A 시간제취업 계약 (part-time work contract) must stay within the hours allowed by your permission. If your actual schedule is different from the contract, your stay status may be affected.

4. Job duties and workplace

The contract should describe the real work, such as cafe service, cashier work, office assistance, or internship tasks. If you are repeatedly sent to a different place or assigned different duties, keep records and ask your school’s international office.

5. Payday and deductions

Check the payday, payment method, and how your 시급 is calculated. “We will treat it as 3.3% income” does not automatically replace a labor contract. If you work fixed hours under a manager’s direction, you may still be a worker under labor law.

6. 4대보험 for student part-time jobs

4대보험 (Four Major Social Insurances) means 국민연금 (National Pension), 건강보험 (Health Insurance), 고용보험 (Employment Insurance), and 산재보험 (Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance). For short-term part-time jobs, coverage can differ by work hours, employment period, visa, nationality, and individual status. If insurance is deducted, check which insurance appears on your payslip.

7. 시간제취업 permission

D-2 and D-4 students should start work only after receiving 시간제취업 permission. A contract alone is not enough if permission has not been granted. Also check the previous D-2/D-4 guide for school confirmation, HiKorea or immigration procedure, and whether the job type is allowed.

8. 해고 procedure

“Do not come tomorrow” does not make every dismissal valid. Check the 해고 (dismissal) reason, notice method, contract period, and unpaid wages. Do not delete messages, work schedules, payslips, or bank transfer records.

What if you do not understand Korean? — Multilingual standard contracts and translation help

If Korean is difficult, ask for an 외국인 근로 표준계약서 (Standard Labor Contract for Foreign Workers) or 다국어 표준근로계약서 (multilingual standard labor contract). Even when an English or Vietnamese version exists, confirm that the numbers and terms match the final Korean version. Do not sign unclear sentences. Ask your school, interpretation support, or 1350.

Where to get help for unfair treatment or unpaid wages

If wages are delayed, below the 최저임금, or you worked without a contract, collect evidence first. Work schedules, attendance records, messages, bank transfers, and payslips are important. You can contact 1350 or file an unpaid wage complaint with the relevant 노동청 (Labor Office).

Official links: 2026 Minimum Wage notice, 표준근로계약서 Standard Labor Contract, 1350 MOEL Customer Counseling Center.

FAQ

Q. Is it a problem if there is no 근로계약서?

The employer must state and provide key working conditions in writing. For students, no contract makes it harder to prove wage, hours, and dismissal issues later.

Q. What is the minimum 시급 in 2026?

The 2026 최저임금 is KRW 10,320 per hour under the MOEL notice. For exact minimum wage, dismissal procedure, and case-specific details, check the official notice or consult a 노무사 (labor attorney).

Q. Do student part-time workers have to join 4대보험?

Not always in the same way. 국민연금, 건강보험, 고용보험, and 산재보험 can differ depending on hours, period, visa, and personal status.

Q. Can I do training before 시간제취업 permission?

If it is real work, it is risky. Even if it is called training, probation, or unpaid experience, fixed hours and manager instructions may still be considered labor.

Q. What if the conditions change after signing?

If 시급, hours, workplace, or duties change, keep it in writing. Do not rely only on spoken promises. Save the revised contract or messages.

A 근로계약서 is not just paperwork. It is evidence that protects your wages and your stay in Korea. For your first job, check the numbers, hours, and permission before starting.