Worker Rights and Support: Contracts, Workplace Changes, and Free Help
- Ministry of Labor
- 1350
- Immigration Contact Center
- 1345
- E-9 normal workplace changes
- Max 3 (2 during re-employment)
- E-9 changes when not your fault
- Unlimited
- Foreign Workers Counseling Center
- 1577-0071 (18 languages)
Start With the Contract
Before you begin working, you will sign a standard labor contract. This document protects you — so treat it seriously.
- Check it carefully before signing.
- Keep your own copy.
- You can request a translation in your native language — do not sign something you do not fully understand.
Changing Your Workplace on an E-9 Visa
E-9 workplace changes have limits, but there is an important exception in your favor:
| Situation | Limit |
|---|---|
| Normal workplace changes | Maximum 3 times (2 during re-employment) |
| Changes that are not your fault | Unlimited |
"Not your fault" includes wage arrears (unpaid wages), unfair treatment, or abuse. If your employer is the reason you must leave, those changes do not count against your limit. This rule exists to protect you from being trapped in a bad workplace.
If Your Wages Are Not Paid
Unpaid wages are illegal. You can:
- File a complaint with the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
- Do this without fear of disadvantage — you have the right to report, and retaliation for reporting is not allowed.
Keep evidence: your contract, work records, and any messages about pay.
Free Multilingual Counseling — Use It
You do not have to solve problems alone. These services are free and available in many languages:
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Workers Counseling Center | 1577-0071 | Support in 18 languages |
| Ministry of Labor | 1350 | Labor law questions |
| Immigration Contact Center | 1345 | Visa and immigration questions |
| Foreign worker support centers | Nationwide | In-person help across the country |
The Smart Way to Get Reliable Information
Use a two-step approach:
- Ask your community first. Talk to workers of your own nationality who arrived earlier. They can tell you what really happens in practice.
- Reconfirm with official channels. Community advice is valuable but not always up to date. Always verify the legal details with the official hotlines above.
This combination — real experience plus official confirmation — protects you from both outdated rumors and unfair treatment.
⚠️ Rules and limits can change. When in doubt, call 1577-0071 or 1345 to confirm the latest information for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many times can I change my workplace on an E-9 visa?
- Normally up to 3 times (2 of them during re-employment). However, changes caused by situations that are not your fault — such as unpaid wages, unfair treatment, or abuse — are unlimited and do not count against that limit. If you are unsure whether your case qualifies, call the Foreign Workers Counseling Center at 1577-0071.
- My employer has not paid my wages. What can I do?
- Unpaid wages are illegal. You can file a complaint with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and you have the right to report without suffering any disadvantage for doing so. Keep your contract and work records as evidence, and call the free Foreign Workers Counseling Center (1577-0071) or the Ministry of Labor (1350) for guidance in your language.
Official sources
Ask people who already made it
Have a question about coming to Korea? Ask workers who are already here in our community.
Ask the communityThis is general information, not legal advice. Rules and figures change each year — always confirm on the official portal epsnepal.gov.np before you act.