How to Verify Employment Contract in South Korea

Overseas Filipino Workers based in Korea often have to go through a process of contract verification. This is to ensure that they are working under the correct visa and status. The process can be tedious, but it is necessary for both the employee and the employer. Here we will discuss the steps involved in contract verification, as well as some tips to make the process go smoothly.

One of the main functions of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) is contract verification. The Labor Attaché will make sure that the contract terms are legal in the host country. The Philippines’ POEA BM Centers will get the validated contract as a requirement for OECs.

Also Read:

• How to Get OEC: POLO-Korea Online Appointment
• How to Renew OWWA Membership in Seoul, South Korea

There are outreach missions for Filipinos in Korea, so regularly check on the Philippine Embassy in Korea and POLO-Korea’s Facebook page and website to see where they’re doing outreach.

It is advisable to always wear face mask and keep your distance when visiting the POLO Korea office. The process and requirements for obtaining an Employment Contract Verification in Korea are discussed in the article.

Qualifications

• Filipino workers that have changed jobs onsite and are registered with POEA.
• Filipinos working in Korea without a POEA record.
• Filipino nationals who have been authorized for an employment visa by the Immigration Department.
• Change of employer and/or name of employer for the first time in Korea (for example, from a tourist or from another nation).
• Others on a fixed-term contract (this needs contract verified every renewal).

Note: OFWs who have already had their contracts verified with their present employer do not need to have their renewal contracts verified again. They can just show their old verified contract and their renewed contract when applying for BM, as long as the Employer remains the same.

Requirements

The qualified Filipinos’ employers will process the verification of their employment contracts.

• Original Employment Contract (Signed by the worker and the employer)
• Photocopy of your passport that is valid for travel for at least six (6) months
• Photocopy of valid Work Visa
• Recent pay slip
• Contract Verification fee

Note: Requirements are subject to change without prior notice; for questions and clarification, contact the POLO office in Korea.

How to Process Employment Contract Verification in Korea

Check out the procedure below on how to process employment contract verification in Korea.

Step 1: Gather all the requirements.

Step 2: Visit POLO Korea office (it is advisable to visit the office as early as you can).

Step 3: The assigned security personnel will check the necessary requirements. Show your valid ID to the assigned security personnel. To avoid long lines, bring the complete set of requirements.

Step 4: Get a token number from the assigned personnel.

Step 5: Submit the required documents to the processing window.

Step 6: Pay the verification fee and wait for your verified contract to be released.

Important Reminders

Here are some helpful tips and reminders to keep in mind during the contract verification process:

• Check the Philippine Embassy and POLO Korea website and Facebook Page since verification process may change due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Make sure that the employment contract is dated and signed on all pages by both the employee and the employer.
• All documentation should be submitted in two (2) sets or copies.
• Incomplete document submissions, payments, or other deficiencies, such as missing signatures, will not be accepted.
• If the employer completed the employment contract verification, the employer must give the original processed document to the employed worker or to the Philippine Recruitment Agency, which will then present it to POEA as part of the procedures for the issue of exit clearance.
• All applicants must bring their own pens.
• All applicants are encouraged to arrive at the POLO Korea office well-dressed. Shorts, transparent clothing, or slippers are not permitted.
• To avoid delays, employers should closely comply with all requirements.
• Feel free to call (02) 3785-3634 and (02) 3785-3635 Sunday to Thursday 9:30am to 4:30pm (Closed on Korean and Philippines public holidays).

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any further questions regarding “How to Verify Employment Contract in Korea”, see the list of frequently asked questions and answers below.

1. What is Employment Contract Verification?

Employment Contract Verification verifies that the OFW has a job and an employer, and that the contract conditions match the POEA and host government’s minimum requirements.

2. Is it possible to get OEC without a verified contract?

A verified employment contract is the most important requirement for the issue of an OEC. Only the POLO or the POEA can provide verification services.

3. Can I skip getting employment contract verification?

No, you can’t skip getting your employment contract verification because it’s one of the first steps in getting your OEC.

4. Can I go to the POLO Korea office directly to verify my employment contract?

Yes, you can directly visit POLO Korea office to verify your employment contract. However, there may be an appointment in the future, so be sure to visit the Facebook page for POLO Korea as well as the official website of the Philippine Embassy in Korea.

5. What is the POLO Korea’s office hour?

The POLO Korea office is open from Sunday to Thursday 9:30am to 4:30pm (Closed on Korean and Philippines public holidays).

6. What is the POLO Korean’s address?

The POLO Korea address is Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines 17 Hoenamu-ro 42-gil, Yo.

7. What is the POLO Korea’s hotline number?

You can reach the POLO Korea office at (02) 3785-3634 and (02) 3785-3635. You can also send a message to POLO-Korea via messenger.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/poloowwakorea

8. What is the email address of POLO Korea?

The email addresses of POLO Korea are labor@philembassy-seoul.com and philembassy-seoul.com.

9. Can I verify my employment contract instead of my employer?

Yes, as long as you have all of the requirements, you can process your employment contract verification, although it is preferred that the employer perform it. Because foreign employers that hire Filipinos must work through a legally licensed Philippine recruitment agency and sign a recruiting agreement with them.

Summary

May we remind all OFW’s in Korea that it is very important to verify your employment contract because the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) requires POLO contract verification in order to register a recruited or employed Filipino worker and process the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).

Make sure your contract is verified because authorities in Korea are on high alert for illegal immigrants. Once you’ve verified your contract, you’ll have access to all of POLO’s benefits and services as well as those provided by POLO’s partners in Korea.

There are regular outreach missions for employment contract verification, OEC, and other services by the POLO Korea. This is an opportunity for you to process your employment contract verification in person.

Contact Information

POLO-OWWA Seoul, South Korea
Main Address: 80 Hoenamu-ro, Itaewon 2(i)-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Telephone Number/s: OWWA: 010-9054-0694, POLO: 010-6591-6290
Email: OWWA: owwaseoul@gmail.com, POLO: labor@philembassy-seoul.com
Website: http://www.philembassy-seoul.com/, https://seoulpe.dfa.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/poloowwakorea, https://www.facebook.com/PHinKorea/

Google Map Location

The POLO-OWWA office in Seoul is located at the back side of the office building of the Philippine Embassy in Korea. Please be guided on the map guide below: