NewJeans member Hanni speaks during a press conference regarding the termination of the group's exclusive contract, Nov. 28. Yonhap

K-pop girl group NewJeans faces a fresh hurdle as member Hanni, an Australian-Vietnamese dual citizen, confronts E-6 visa renewal challenges following the group's contract termination with Ador.

Foreign entertainers in South Korea must obtain an E-6 visa, which is contingent on having an exclusive contract with a registered agency. This visa also requires a guarantee letter from the agency's representative and an employment recommendation from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

NewJeans announced their contract termination with Ador during a press conference on Nov. 28 and have since been operating independently. However, since the E-6 visa is tied to a specific employer, terminating their contract effectively nullified the visa issued through Ador, which will expire early next year.

Hanni could renew her E-6 visa by signing with another agency, but immigration law requires the previous employer's approval for such transfers. With Ador disputing the termination's validity and pursuing legal action, it appears unlikely that the agency will provide this consent.

South Korea's immigration law also mandates that individuals must apply for a visa status change or secure a new employment contract within 15 days of contract termination. This deadline, which started on Nov. 29, has already passed.

One remaining option for Hanni is to leave South Korea and apply for a new E-6 visa abroad. This route does not require Ador's consent but involves complex documentation and can take up to three months to process, potentially delaying her ability to resume activities in South Korea.

Despite the challenges, Hanni is unlikely to be considered an undocumented immigrant at this stage. Immigration authorities may still view her as employed by Ador due to the ongoing legal dispute. Until a final ruling confirms the contract termination, her visa issued through Ador is likely to remain valid.

An Ador official said, "Since the exclusive contract with NewJeans remains valid, we are preparing the necessary documents for Hanni's visa extension in accordance with the procedure."

E-6 visas are typically issued for one year and require annual renewal by the sponsoring agency.

NewJeans, produced by Ador's ex-CEO Min Hee-jin, launched a new Instagram account (@jeanzforfree) on Dec. 15, fueling speculation of rebranding as "NewJeanz" amid a legal battle with Ador over their disputed contract termination.

Hanni of NewJeans speaks at a press conference in Gangnam, Seoul, on the group's contract terminatio Nov. 28. Yonhap

This article, based on a piece from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.