A Critical Examination of the E9 Path of the Employment Permit System: Focusing on the Perspective from Non-settled to Settled

Abstract

This article critically examines the non-settlement characteristics of foreign workers (E-9 visas) under the Employment Permit System, what institutional barriers they face in the process of transitioning from non-settlement to settlement, and makes some suggestions to resolve them. First, in the introduction, I criticized the fact that foreign workers are returning to their home countries. In Section 2, the Employment Permit System and the Korean language test (EPS-TOPIK) were specifically pointed out, and visa conversion (E-9 to E-7-4, D-10 to E-9) was critically reviewed. Section 3 deals with the issue of industrial trainees and the employment permit system from the perspective of a permanent residence type, preparing provisions for residence or permanent residency of the E-9 visa, converting the E-7-4 visa quota system to a support system, expanding the number of people and occupations to be applied, and EPS-TOPIK Suggested dependence and education plan.