Mitra KoreaWhat to Do After You Leave Your Company: A 14-Day, 15-Day, 1-Month and 3-Month Checklist
When an E-9 worker leaves a company, deadlines for money, address, 고용센터 (Job Center) and a new company all start at the same time. This guide lists them in date order.
Quick overview
The deadlines start from the day you left (the day your contract ended).
| By when | What to do | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Before you leave | Confirm the end date by text message, and check what the 사직서 (resignation letter) says | Your boss |
| Within 14 days | Get your remaining wages and 퇴직금 (severance pay) | Your company |
| Within 15 days | If the place you live changes, report your change of address | 출입국·외국인관서 (immigration office) or the 시·군·구 office (city, county or district office) |
| Within 1 month | Apply for a workplace change | The 고용센터 (Job Center) for the area of the company where you worked |
| Within 3 months from the application date | Get a 근무처 변경허가 (workplace change permit) for your new company | 고용센터, immigration office |
If you miss the 1-month or 3-month deadline, you may have to leave Korea. Take care of the 고용센터 dates first.
When does this apply to you?
- You and your boss agreed that you would leave.
- Your boss told you to leave.
- You want to leave because of unpaid wages, violence or poor health.
- You have already left and you do not know what to do first.
If you are still at the company and your boss will not sign, first read Can't I change companies without a "release letter" from my boss?.
Steps
- Keep records before you leave. Confirm the end date and the reason by text message. Take photos of your contract, pay slips and work records. If it is not your fault but your boss tells you to sign a resignation letter that says "personal reasons," read Being forced to sign a resignation letter.
- Decide where you will go. If you have no place to sleep, call 1577-0071 and ask about a shelter. Read If you have no place to sleep.
- Go to the 고용센터. Go to the 고용센터 for the area of the company where you worked, not the area where you live. If it is far away, call 1350 first. Read Which 고용센터?. Check how to apply at the same time.
- Ask if your boss made the report. Your boss must file a 고용변동신고 (report of employment change) within 15 days. If it has not been filed, show the text messages you received.
- Get your 구직등록필증 (job seeker registration certificate) and check the dates. Read How to read your 구직등록필증.
- Check your money. If you are not paid after 14 days, make a wage report. Also read How to calculate 퇴직금.
- If your address changes, report it. Read 외국인등록증 and change of address.
- Contact the companies the 고용센터 tells you about. Read How to choose a company and what happens if you refuse.
What to bring
- 외국인등록증 (Alien Registration Card), passport
- 근로계약서 (employment contract), text messages between you and your boss
- 급여명세서 (pay slips), bank book
- If you are sick, a 진단서 (doctor's report). If your boss is at fault, evidence
Be careful
- You must not work before your new company is decided. This includes part-time jobs and delivery work. Read Second jobs and part-time delivery work are illegal.
- Do not leave without saying anything. If you miss work for a few days, it can lead to a 이탈 신고 (report that you left your job without notice). Read Threats of a 이탈 신고.
- Check first before you visit Nepal. Read When you visit Nepal for a short time.
- Take care of your health insurance payments. Read The trap during your job search.
- Check how many changes you have used. The limit is 3 times in the first 3 years and 2 times in the re-employment period. A change caused by your boss's fault does not count.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How much does it cost? A. Official guidance says there is no fee to apply for a workplace change at the 고용센터. Transport, housing and living costs are different for each person. If someone asks for money to find you a new company, call 1350 before you pay.
Q. If my boss will not sign, can I still go to the 고용센터? A. If your boss is at fault or you have a health reason, you can apply without your boss's agreement. The 고용센터 makes the decision. It is different if you want to leave for your own reasons. Read Workplace change.
Q. My 1 month is almost over. A. Call 1350 or 1577-0071 today, and go to the 고용센터 right away.
Where to get help
- 고용노동부 (Ministry of Employment and Labor) customer counseling 1350
- 외국인력상담센터 (Foreign Workforce Counseling Center) 1577-0071 (Nepali available, 365 days a year, 09:00~18:00)
- 외국인종합안내센터 (Immigration Contact Center) 1345 (Nepali on weekdays, 09:00~18:00)