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On December 21, 2024, 10Asia reported that NewJeans' Hanni Pham was allegedly reported to South Korean Customs as an illegal immigrant by an anonymous netizen. The complaint was sent to the Immigration Office of the Ministry of Justice.
Hanni has been reportedly facing visa complications after her unilateral contract termination with ADOR, the agency that launched the group in 2022. As of December 2024, Hanni’s working visa is classified under South Korea's E-6-2 visa category for entertainers. This type of visa requires sponsorship from an agency, raising concerns about her legal status following NewJeans’ departure from ADOR on November 28.
Meanwhile, since Hanni has dual citizenship in Australia and Vietnam, she has been working in South Korea as a foreigner. Additionally, her visa was provided by ADOR as part of her idol contract with the label.
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However, NewJeans announced their contract termination with ADOR during a press conference on November 28, citing ADOR’s failure to meet contractual obligations.
If Hanni's contract with ADOR was terminated on November 28, then as per the immigration law she was supposed to secure a new employment contract or apply for visa status change within 15 days of contract termination.
For the 20-year-old idol, the deadline for this time frame ended on December 13, 2024. Any further stay beyond the specified date in the country would be considered illegal. However, if ADOR renews her visa on behalf of her then it would likely establish that NewJeans' contract is still valid with the label.
NewJeans' Hanni visa complications could jeopardize her future activities
Foreign K-pop idols, such as Hanni, typically operate under an E-6-2 visa, which permits them to work in South Korea's entertainment industry. This visa is directly tied to the sponsoring agency, and its validity depends on the active contract with the agency.
When an agency withdraws sponsorship or when a contract dispute arises, visa renewal becomes a pressing concern.
10Asia reported that a netizen flagged Hanni as an illegal immigrant to South Korean customs amidst these developments, but ADOR clarified that they are addressing her visa renewal. On December 20, 2024, Xports News reported that ADOR said:
"Since her exclusive contract with NewJeans is still valid, we are preparing documents for visa extension according to the procedure."
If Hanni’s visa issues remain unresolved under ADOR’s sponsorship, she would need to secure a new sponsor or agency to maintain her legal status in the country.
If ADOR refuses to renew her visa then Hanni could transition to another entertainment agency willing to sponsor her visa under the same E-6-2 category. Alternatively, she could apply for a different type of visa if her residency status aligns with other eligibility requirements, such as a cultural exchange or a special employment visa.
After the group's contract termination announcement, ADOR filed a petition seeking legal clarification on the contract’s validity on December 3, 2024. The agency insists that the termination is not legally binding and that NewJeans members must fulfill their original contractual commitments.
