On December 20, an individual submitted a request to deport Hanni of NewJeans to the Department of Justice’s Immigration Policy Division, alleging that she was residing illegally.
Following the termination of their exclusive contracts with ADOR on November 28, members of NewJeans, including Hanni, announced their departure from the agency. While Danielle, who has dual citizenship in Korea and Australia, faces no legal complications, Hanni’s dual citizenship in Australia and Vietnam requires her to renew her visa every year.
If the members’ claims for termination of the contract are well founded, Hanni’s visa, issued through ADOR, would no longer be valid. According to immigration law, he had to return his foreign registration card and leave South Korea by Dec. 13, 15 days after the termination notice. However, some speculate that ADOR is unlikely to provide consent for its visa transfer, as required under current regulations for E-6 visa holders changing employers.
Is Hanni really an undocumented resident?
The short answer is no. When foreign workers terminate their contract, they are generally required to leave the country within 15 days, unless they obtain a new employment contract. However, they can also stay in South Korea for up to 30 days to apply for a change in their visa status. Since less than a month has passed since the reported termination of Hanni’s contract, she is not considered an undocumented resident.
Could Hanni become undocumented by December 29?
This scenario is unlikely. ADOR has reportedly begun preparations to extend Hanni’s visa, which expires early next year. Furthermore, as ADOR has filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the group’s exclusive contracts, its visa is expected to remain valid until a final legal decision is made.
Future challenges for Hanni’s career
Despite these reassurances, Hanni’s ability to continue its entertainment activities is significantly dependent on ADOR’s cooperation.
If he chooses to leave South Korea and reapply for a new E-6 visa, the process would require various documents, including a copy of an exclusive contract with a new agency, a letter of guarantee from the agency representative, and a recommendation of work by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. This process typically takes 2-3 months and submitting documents from an agency other than ADOR could lead to legal disputes.
For now, ADOR’s support appears to be crucial for Hanni to maintain his legal residency and continue his career uninterrupted.
