Immigration Fines

Korea Immigration Fine Schedule — Complete Guide

Fines under the Immigration Control Act vary significantly by violation type and duration. The table below summarises the official guidelines issued by the Ministry of Justice. If you have received a fine notice or are concerned about a potential violation, consult a specialist immediately.

Failure to Report Foreign Employee Status Change

Art. 100(1)(1)

Employer fails to report within 15 days of dismissal, resignation, death, whereabouts unknown, contract change, etc.

DurationStandard Fine
< 3 months₩100,000
3–6 months₩300,000
6 months – 1 year₩500,000

Failure to Register as Foreigner (Overstay of Registration)

Art. 95(7)

Foreign national who must register (stay > 90 days) fails to do so within 90 days of entry

DurationStandard Fine
< 1 month₩200,000
1–3 months₩500,000
3–6 months₩1,000,000
6 months – 1 year₩2,000,000
1–2 years₩5,000,000
2+ years₩10,000,000

Hiring Unauthorised Foreign Workers

Art. 94(9) / Art. 99-3

Employing a foreign national without a valid work visa. Both corporations and individuals may be punished

DurationStandard Fine
< 3 months₩3M – ₩30M
3–6 months₩5M – ₩30M
6 months – 1 year₩7M – ₩30M
1–2 years₩9M – ₩30M
2+ years₩11M – ₩30M

Overstay / Unauthorised Activities

Art. 94(7)

Activity beyond permitted stay period or visa category

DurationStandard Fine
< 1 month₩2,000,000
1–3 months₩3,000,000
3–6 months₩4,000,000

Working Without a Work Visa (Employee Side)

Art. 94(18)

Foreign national personally working without a valid work visa

DurationStandard Fine
6 months – 1 year₩7,000,000
1–2 years₩10,000,000
2–3 years₩15,000,000

Using Forged / Others' Passport

Art. 94(2)

Use of a forged, altered, or another person's passport

DurationStandard Fine
1st offence₩5,000,000
2nd offence₩15,000,000
3rd+ offence₩30,000,000

Address Change Notification Failure

Art. 98(2)

Registered foreigner fails to report change of residence within 14 days

DurationStandard Fine
< 3 months₩100,000
3–6 months₩300,000
6 months – 1 year₩500,000
1–2 years₩700,000
2+ years₩1,000,000
📌 Received a Fine Notice?

Fines must be paid by the stated deadline. Late payment results in surcharges and may lead to forced collection or a departure ban. Check the notice immediately and consult a specialist.

⚠️ Fine vs Administrative Penalty vs Criminal Punishment

Immigration violations may result in a fine (administrative notification), a penalty, criminal punishment (fine or imprisonment), or a combination. Illegal employment, use of forged passports, and long-term overstay can lead to criminal prosecution and deportation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I received a fine notice. What should I do?
A. Pay by the deadline shown on the notice. If you dispute the amount, you may file an objection with the immigration office. Failure to pay on time results in surcharges and potential forced collection.
Q. Can I still be deported after paying the fine?
A. Yes. Paying the fine resolves the administrative penalty, but deportation is decided separately through an immigration review. Violations such as illegal employment or drug offences can lead to deportation proceedings regardless of fine payment.
Q. I overstayed by only a few days. Is this a serious problem?
A. Short overstays (< 1 month) attract the lowest fine tier, but a re-entry restriction may still apply upon voluntary departure. The fine and deportation risk escalate sharply with longer overstays. Seek advice as soon as you are aware of the situation.

For fine notices, illegal employment issues, overstay, or any immigration matter, contact Vision Administrative Office for immediate assistance.

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The figures on this page reflect Ministry of Justice guidelines. Actual penalties depend on the discretion of the reviewing officer and individual circumstances. This page is for general information only — please consult a specialist for legal advice.
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