Visa Comparison — South Korea
E-2 vs E-7 Visa — English Teacher or Skilled Worker?
The E-2 is purpose-built for native-English-speaking teachers at Korean schools and academies. The E-7 is a broader work visa covering 94 professional occupations — including education roles. Many E-2 holders eventually upgrade to E-7 for more flexibility, higher pay, and a cleaner path to long-term residency.
English Language Instructor
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Specific Activities (Skilled Worker)
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E-2 vs E-7 — side-by-side comparison
Who can apply
E-2
Citizens of 7 native-English countries (US, UK, CA, AU, NZ, SA, IE)
E-7
Any nationality — if the employer sponsors you
Eligible jobs
E-2
English language instruction only
E-7
94 professional occupations (engineers, IT, healthcare, arts, education, etc.)
Education required
E-2
Bachelor's degree (any field)
E-7
Bachelor's + 1 yr experience, or Master's in field
Criminal background check
E-2
Required from home country
E-7
Required (from home country or apostilled)
Medical certificate
E-2
Required (drug test + physical)
E-7
Required for most occupations
Salary floor
E-2
No official national minimum, but contract-set
E-7
Occupation-specific minimum salary (MOJ-set)
Employer change
E-2
Allowed with immigration approval + new contract
E-7
Allowed with immigration approval + new contract
Part-time / private tutoring
E-2
Strictly prohibited without separate permit
E-7
Generally not allowed outside approved scope
Path to F-2-7 / F-5
E-2
Counts as Korean work experience for K-Points
E-7
Counts as Korean work experience for K-Points
Initial validity
E-2
1–2 years (tied to contract)
E-7
Up to 3 years
Korean language
E-2
Not required
E-7
Not strictly required, but helps with K-Points
Which should you choose?
E-2is right for you if…
You are a citizen of one of the 7 eligible English-speaking countries
You want to teach English at a school or hagwon in Korea
You have a bachelor's degree in any field and a clean background
You're new to Korea and want a straightforward route with a clear employer
E-7is right for you if…
You want to work in a professional field beyond English teaching (IT, engineering, design, etc.)
You are not from one of the 7 E-2 countries but hold a relevant degree
You want a longer initial stay (up to 3 years) and more career flexibility
You are already on E-2 and want to expand your work scope or earn more
Typical path:
E-2 → E-7 transitions are common. After building Korean work experience on E-2 (which counts toward K-Points), teachers with a TOPIK score and relevant qualifications often apply for E-7 in education-related occupations (e.g. curriculum development, educational program design) for better pay and benefits.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work as an English teacher on an E-7 visa?
Yes — the E-7 includes education-related occupations. However, E-7 for teaching roles typically requires a higher qualification than E-2 (e.g., TESOL certification, relevant degree, prior teaching experience) and the job description must match an eligible E-7 occupation code.
Can I switch from E-2 to E-7 without leaving Korea?
Yes. With a new employer sponsor and an E-7-eligible job offer, you can apply for an in-country status change. You don't need to return to your home country.
Are E-2 holders eligible for the F-2-7 points-based visa?
Yes — time spent on E-2 counts as Korean work experience toward the K-Point score for F-2-7. A TOPIK score and a degree from a Korean university can further boost your points.
I'm Canadian but not an English teacher — can I get E-2?
E-2 is specifically for English language instruction. If you want to work in another field, the E-7 or other visa categories would be the appropriate route.
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