APAC • Country Guide

HIRE IN
SOUTH KOREA.

Asia's semiconductor and technology powerhouse with a world-class workforce.

EOR pricing
810,000
per employee / month (~US$599)
  • Full compliance handled
  • First hire live in 48 hours
  • No entity setup needed
Capital
Seoul
Population
51.97M
Currency
KRW (₩)
Language
Korean
Time zone
GMT+9
Region
APAC
Country snapshot

WHY SOUTH KOREA?

South Korea is home to Samsung, SK Hynix, LG, and Hyundai — global leaders in semiconductors, EVs, and consumer tech. With 52M people, the world's highest tertiary education attainment, and dense innovation clusters, Seoul is a critical APAC market for tech, manufacturing, and consumer brands.

Global hub for chip and EV manufacturing
Highest tertiary-education attainment in OECD
5G and digital-infrastructure leader
Free trade agreements with US, EU, China
Government R&D incentives for foreign firms
Ready to hire

Your first South Korea hire, live in days.

We handle entity, payroll, tax and compliance so you can focus on the work.

Market intel

THE MARKET
THE TALENT

Economy

USD $1.71T GDP, the world's 13th largest. Semiconductors, EVs, electronics, and entertainment lead growth.

Talent pool

70%+ of adults hold tertiary qualifications — highest in the OECD. Deep engineering, hardware, and design talent. Average professional salary: KRW 60M.

Key industries
Semiconductors & HardwareEV & AutomotiveElectronics & Consumer TechMedia & K-contentBiotech
Hiring & compliance

CORE HIRING
FACTS

Everything global operators need to know about employment costs, leave entitlements, and statutory rules in South Korea.

Employer cost on top of salary
~11–12%
Income tax
6–45% progressive
Social contributions
4 Major Insurances (~11% employer / ~9% employee)
Minimum wage
₩9,860/hour (~₩2.06M/mo, 2024)
Working hours
40 hours/week (52 incl. statutory overtime cap)
Annual leave
15–25 days (by tenure)
Sick leave
No statutory entitlement — employer discretion
Maternity leave
90 days paid (60 employer / 30 government)
Paternity leave
10 days paid
Public holidays
15 days/year
Notice period
30 days statutory
Probation
Up to 3 months typical
Severance
Statutory retirement allowance: 1 month's pay per year of service
Payroll cycle
Monthly, paid on the last working day
13th month pay
Performance-based bonuses customary
Compliance, handled

Skip the legal setup in South Korea.

We become the legal employer. You manage the work, we handle payroll, contracts, taxes and benefits.

Visa & immigration

MOVING
TALENT IN

Work visa types, eligibility, dependent visas, and the path to permanent residency in South Korea.

E-7 Specialised Occupation

4–6 weeks

For professionals in skilled roles

D-8 Investor Visa

6–8 weeks

For investors and corporate executives

F-2-7 Points-Based Visa

6–8 weeks

Long-term residence based on points (income, education, age)

Eligibility

Job offer, relevant degree/experience, employer sponsorship for E-7.

Dependants

Spouse and unmarried children under 20 eligible for F-3 dependent visa.

Path to PR

F-5 Permanent Residence after 5 years on long-term visas. Citizenship after 5+ years of PR.

Ready to hire in South Korea?

START IN 48 HOURS.

We'll handle the legal entity, payroll, tax, and compliance. You focus on the work.