One Delivery Gig and You're Out? Must-Read for International Students 🛵

🧭 What's changing?

On October 29, the Ministry of Justice held a meeting with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (국토교통부), the Ministry of Employment and Labor (고용노동부), the National Police Agency (경찰청) and the Korea Coast Guard (해양경찰청). They discussed how to respond jointly to illegal delivery work by foreigners, areas of public safety concern, and illegal stay on Jeju.

The most important thing for international students is the stricter penalty standard. If you are caught working illegally in a restricted field like delivery or entertainment businesses, it is in principle a deportation order or departure order, no matter how many times it has happened. For details such as the start date, check the original release or call 1345 💡

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International student (D-2)

What exactly is being tightened this time?

Kevi

If you are caught working illegally in a restricted field, the plan is to give a deportation order or departure order in principle, regardless of the number of times. Details like the start date are not in the original text, so please check with 1345.

🚨 How far will the crackdown reach?

The Ministry of Justice will strengthen joint crackdowns with the National Police Agency. It will also expand investigative cooperation on illegal acts such as organized illegal hiring and brokering by delivery companies, unlicensed driving, and unauthorized use of accounts in someone else's name.

In addition, immigration offices (출입국·외국인청(사무소)) nationwide will carry out intensive inspections in 69 areas and workplaces of public safety concern. On Jeju, they will run joint crackdowns on illegal stay, illegal hiring, job-placement brokers, and leaving the island without permission 😮

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International student (D-2)

Is borrowing someone else's delivery account a problem too?

Kevi

The original text lists unauthorized use of an account in someone else's name as an illegal act subject to investigative cooperation. Unlicensed driving is too. The specific penalty standards are not in the original text, so please check with 1345.

👀 What was it like before?

According to the reference material on handling violations of part-time work permits, if you were caught working without permission for the first time and the violation was minor, you could receive a notice of penalty (통고처분) and then get permission to stay. From the second time, deportation was the rule, and illegal work in construction always meant a departure order, with no exceptions.

This announcement says that for delivery, entertainment businesses and similar fields, removal will in principle be the response regardless of how many times. So thinking "just once is fine" is risky ⚠️

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International student (D-2)

Will first-time offenders still be let off like before?

Kevi

This policy means a deportation order or departure order in principle, regardless of the number of times caught. However, each case is decided by the immigration office, so please ask 1345 about specific situations.

📄 How to work legally

To work part-time, an international student needs a part-time work permit. You sign a standard labor contract with your employer, the university's international student staff member fills out a part-time work confirmation form (시간제취업확인서), and you apply online or in person. Once approved, you get a sticker or print out the online permit.

This applies to D-2-1 to D-2-4, D-2-6, and D-2-7. Language trainees (D-4-1, D-4-7) and visiting students (D-2-8) must wait 6 months from the date of status change (or the date of entry for those holding a visa). Even with a permit, the original text does not say which types of work are allowed, so be sure to check before you apply ✅

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International student (D-2)

If I get a permit, can I do delivery work too?

Kevi

The original text describes delivery and entertainment businesses as restricted fields. The detailed standards for permitted types of work are not in the material, so be sure to ask your school's international student staff or 1345 before you start working.

⚠️ Common mistakes

The most common mistake is working without a permit because "it's only for a moment" or "I'm just covering for a friend." The person who hired you can also be punished.

Another risky mistake is changing employers just because you already have a permit. If your employer changes and your workplace changes, you must get a new part-time work permit in advance 😮

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International student (D-2)

Can I work at a different shop from the one on my permit?

Kevi

If you change employers and your workplace changes, you must get a new part-time work permit in advance. Working without a permit can count as illegal employment.

✅ What to do now, step by step

1. 1If you are working now, check your passport or permit to confirm you have a part-time work permit.
2. 2Before you start a job, ask your school's international student staff member to fill out the part-time work confirmation form.
3. 3Don't do work in restricted fields such as delivery or entertainment businesses, and if you already have, consult 1345 first.
4. 4Don't use a delivery account in someone else's name.
5. 5Check the Ministry of Justice press release or call 1345 for detailed standards.