NewJeans' Hanni Faces Visa Uncertainty Amid Contract Dispute with ADOR

The National Newspaper answered the illegal stay report of the group NewJeans Hanni.

On the 10th, the Ministry of Justice's Seoul Immigration Office investigation department responded to Hanni's illegal stay complaints reported by an anonymous citizen, saying, `We will take measures accordingly as soon as the employment relationship between the parties is settled.'

It is difficult to answer personal details such as whether a specific foreigner who is a third party violates the Immigration Control Act "The Immigration Department determines the status of stay in Korea and the period of consideration for foreign entertainers staying on the basis of employment contracts with domestic agencies, etc. " he explained.




According to recent legal circles, Hani's E-6 visa, which has dual Australian and Vietnamese citizenship and does not have Korean citizenship, is nearing expiration, and it is difficult to extend the visa in the absence of an agency.

Foreigners must have an agency to work as celebrities in Korea. Foreign celebrities must obtain an E-6 visa to work, and for this, ▲ copies of exclusive contracts with agencies registered as pop culture and arts planning businesses under the Popular Culture Industry Act ▲ identity guarantee from the invited agency representative ▲ employment recommendation letter under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism must be prepared.

NewJeans is working on its own, saying its exclusive contract with Adore has been terminated as of November 29.




According to the claim that the exclusive contract with Ador has ended, the visa issued through Adore will be invalid because the exclusive contract has been terminated and there is no agency currently.

Hani can also extend her existing E-6 visa by signing with a new agency, but the Immigration Control Act requires that a foreigner with an E-6 visa be consented to transfer 'to the plaintiff employer if the place of work changes.

In response, it is highly likely that Adore, who even filed a lawsuit claiming that the exclusive contract with NewJeans is valid, will not give consent to the transfer.




Another way is to get a new E-6 visa after Hani leaves the country.

However, the E-6 visa has a lot of documents to submit, and unlike other visas, it takes about two to three months to prepare and process the necessary documents, such as issuing employment recommendations from the Minister of Culture, so entertainment activities will not be allowed in Korea for at least two to three months.

The expert explained that Hani does not immediately become an unregistered foreigner, that is, an illegal alien. This is because there is a high possibility that the immigration office will judge Hani as still belonging to Ador.

Meanwhile, Odor said "We are preparing documents for visa extension in accordance with the procedure because the exclusive contract with NewJeans is still valid."