What Is Standard Labor Contract (표준근로계약서)?

The Standard Labor Contract (표준근로계약서) is a Ministry of Employment and Labor form that establishes employment terms in a bilingual format — Korean and the employee's language — for foreign workers in Korea. It includes: job duties, working hours, wages (base + allowances), holiday entitlements, housing arrangements, and working conditions. For E-9 (non-professional employment) visa holders, this contract is mandatory and must be signed before departure from the worker's home country through the EPS system. For E-2 English teachers, most reputable schools provide a version of this contract; reviewing it carefully before signing — ideally with legal help — is important because contract disputes with schools are the most common issue immigration lawyers handle. The contract is submitted as part of the visa or ARC application.

Poorly written or unsigned employment contracts are the root cause of a large share of foreign worker disputes in Korea — from unpaid wages to sudden housing changes. A contract that doesn't match the visa application documents can also trigger immigration scrutiny. Having an immigration lawyer or employment consultant review your contract before you sign is one of the most cost-effective uses of legal advice for incoming workers.