According to media outlet reports on December 20 KST, NewJeans member Hanni's E-6 (Entertainment and Culture) Visa is set to expire soon.
Foreigners conducting entertainment and culture activities in South Korea for the purpose of making a profit must be issued an E-6 Visa. In order for the E-6 Visa to be issued to an individual conducting entertainment activities, they must meet the following criteria: 1) they must be employed under an exclusive contract with a legally registered entertainment company; 2) they must provide proof of their identity, signed by their employer; and 3) they must submit a letter of recommendation for employment.
Therefore, if the decision by the NewJeans member to terminate their exclusive contracts with ADOR on November 28 KST is legally acknowledged as valid, then this would mean that Hanni is no longer employed by a legally registered entertainment company, failing to meet the requirements for her E-6 Visa. Furthermore, if an exclusive contract is terminated validly, the foreign individual must apply for a different visa or sign a new exclusive contract with a company within 15-days before they are ordered to leave the country.
In response, a representative of ADOR stated, "ADOR's exclusive contract with NewJeans remains valid. Therefore, we are currently preparing the necessary documents to renew Hanni's visa."
Typically, E-6 Visas are granted for 1-year. It is the responsibility of entertainment companies to renew the E-6 Visas of foreign employees each year. It's believed that Hanni's E-6 Visa is due to expire in early 2025.
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