New H-2 visas stopped, moving to F-4
The day we opened the government source and matched the numbers. This is not a labor attorney's review.
New work and visit (H-2) visas have stopped
What gets better with F-4
- From February 2026, the jobs F-4 holders may do became wider than before.
- Your residence becomes more stable and it becomes easier to bring your family.
- The distinction by country of origin disappears.
What you cannot do on F-4
On F-4, as a rule you cannot work in the simple-labor jobs listed in a Ministry of Justice notice. Which jobs those are is written as a list in the notice. In some areas set by the Ministry of Justice, there are exceptions depending on your place of residence and where you work.
| Group | Jobs written in the notice |
|---|---|
| Delivery and carrying | Parcel delivery, quick service, restaurant delivery, house moving crew, milk and newspaper delivery |
| Cleaning | Building cleaner, street cleaner, waste and recycling collector |
| Security and management | Apartment security guard, building security guard, parking attendant |
| Inspection and other | Meter reader, gas inspector, forest fire watcher, laundry worker, ticket inspector |
| Service and sales | Bathhouse attendant, karaoke and internet cafe staff, golf caddie, street vendor |
Check whether your own job is on the list
If you live in a population decline area
If your place of residence is in a city, county or district covered by the Ministry of Justice region-specific visa program, the simple labor restriction above does not apply to you inside the metropolitan city or province that district belongs to. Only entertainment businesses such as adult bars remain restricted. Ask 1345 whether your area is covered.
If you hold an H-2 now
Ask this before you change
Read next
Rules change often, and the same rule applies differently to different people. Check your own case with 1350 (Ministry of Employment and Labor customer center). Its phone counseling in foreign languages is in English and Chinese. For your own language, ask 1345 (Immigration Contact Center).
This is reference material. Rules change often — always confirm with the hotline below before you file anything.
Sources
- Ministry of Justice — Overseas Korean residence statuses merged into F-4 (2026-02-12) 법무부 — 동포 체류자격(F-4) 통합 시행 (2026-02-12) checked 2026-08-31
- MOJ Notice 2026-65 — Scope of work restrictions on the overseas Korean (F-4) status 법무부고시 제2026-65호 — 재외동포(F-4) 자격의 취업활동 제한범위 고시 checked 2026-08-31
- Korea Policy Briefing — Ministry of Justice merges overseas Korean statuses into F-4 정책브리핑 — 법무부, 동포 체류자격(F-4) 통합 시행 checked 2026-08-31