MUSIC
NewJeans' Hanni Faces Visa Dilemma Amid Contract Dispute with ADOR

According to entertainment and legal circles on the 21st, Hanni's E-6 (Entertainment) visa, issued through ADOR, is set to expire early next month. To continue her activities in South Korea, Hanni must either extend her E-6 visa through ADOR or leave the country.
If Hanni remains in South Korea after her E-6 visa expires in early February, she will be considered an illegal resident. Last November 29, Hanni notified ADOR of her contract termination, leading to a 'visa dilemma.' While Hanni claims her contract with ADOR has ended, ADOR maintains that NewJeans and Hanni are still under their management, leading to differing interpretations of the visa's validity. Once the E-6 visa expires, Hanni's status as an 'illegal resident' becomes inevitable.
Even if Hanni signs with a new agency or establishes a family corporation, as some speculate, obtaining a new visa could be challenging. The Immigration Control Act requires 'consent from the original employer' if the workplace of a foreigner holding an E-6 visa changes. ADOR, which is urging NewJeans to return, is unlikely to grant this consent.
The most feasible option for Hanni is to apply for a new E-6 visa independently of ADOR. This would not require ADOR's consent, but Hanni would need to leave the country to apply. She would also need to secure a new agency and provide necessary documents, including a copy of the exclusive contract with an agency registered under the Popular Culture Industry Act, a letter of guarantee from the inviting agency's representative, and an employment recommendation letter from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. This process is complex and typically takes 2-3 months to complete.

Regardless of NewJeans' activities, ADOR is preparing for Hanni's visa issuance. ADOR has stated, "The exclusive contract with NewJeans is still valid, and we are preparing the necessary documents for visa extension according to the procedure."
Meanwhile, Hanni, who claims her exclusive contract with ADOR has ended, has been reported as an illegal resident. Regarding this, the Investigation Division of the Seoul Immigration Office of the Ministry of Justice stated on the 10th, "It is difficult to answer personal details such as whether a specific foreigner has violated the Immigration Control Act."
However, they added, "The Immigration and Foreigners Office determines the domestic residency status and period for foreign entertainers staying with an E-6 visa based on employment contracts with domestic agencies, and will take appropriate measures once the employment relationship is resolved."