South Korea Triples E-9 Visa Quota for Care Workers; Unions Cite “Exploitation Risks”

South Korea has tripled its E-9 visa quota for care workers to address acute labor shortages in the elderly and childcare sectors amid an aging population. The expansion policy of the Employment Permit System (EPS) seeks to introduce thousands more foreign caregivers, mostly from Southeast Asia, to provide care to families and facilities. Nevertheless, there is a threat of increased exploitation (low wages, excessive working hours, and restricted work mobility with the employer), which labor unions alert about. This action reconciles demographic demands with criticism of insufficient provisions for migrant workers.

E-9 Visa Expansion Details

The E-9 visa quota for care workers has surged threefold, building on pilot programs like the Foreign Housekeepers initiative that started with 100 Filipino workers in 2024. The official plans focus more on the non-metropolitan regions where firms located outside Seoul can employ up to 30 percent foreign residents. This is a reaction to the rural work crises in the caregiving and improved seasonal distributions.

Unions Highlight Exploitation Risks

The unions in Korea speak out about the quick quota increment, which has made employees vulnerable to losses in terms of wages, worker abuse, and threats of deportation in case of job change. Restricted movements (3-5 times only) confine the caregivers in bad conditions, a repetition of factory scandals. They require more rights and accountability.

Embedded Official Social Link

Korea Times post on proposed E-9 visa reforms for foreign workers: Click here

FAQs:

What is the E-9 visa for care workers?
Non-professional foreign workers, such as caregivers, are able to work in South Korea under the E-9 visa as a result of EPS for up to 3-5 years. It is aimed at shortages in such services as elderly care, and quotas are assigned by service sphere and region.​

Why did South Korea triple the quota?
To fight the graying population and rural labor imbalances, increase pilot programs to permanent positions. The non-urban companies get the flexibility of hiring a 30 percent foreign workforce.​

What exploitation risks do unions mention?
Poor pay that is below standard, extended hours (as long as 11 per day), abuse, and an employer-enforced set of rules that restrict changes of jobs, causing vulnerability and fear of deportation.

How can care workers apply?
Through official EPS channels: pass the EPS-TOPIK test, skill assessments, via government-approved providers. No agents or payments required.​

Is the quota only for care workers?
No, E-9 covers manufacturing, agriculture, services; the care sector sees targeted tripling within the overall framework.​