Visa Comparison — South Korea

E-9 vs E-7-4 — EPS Worker vs Skilled Worker Upgrade: What Changes?

is the visa you start on under the Employment Permit System. E-7-4 is where you can graduate to after 4+ years of hard work in Korea. The two look similar on the surface — both are for manual and production workers — but E-7-4 opens doors that E-9 does not: a path to permanent residency, higher wages, and a future in Korea beyond the EPS system.

E-7-4

Skilled Worker Points Upgrade

E-9 vs E-7-4 — side-by-side comparison

	E-9	E-7-4
How you get it	Selected through EPS lottery and Korean language test in your home country	Apply from inside Korea after 4+ years on E-9/E-10/H-2 + 80-point evaluation score
Who can apply

Inquiry K-VISA AI

How you get it

E-9

Selected through EPS lottery and Korean language test in your home country

E-7-4

Apply from inside Korea after 4+ years on E-9/E-10/H-2 + 80-point evaluation score

Who can apply

E-9

Nationals of 17 EPS partner countries — selected by quota

E-7-4

Current E-9, E-10, or H-2 holders with 4+ years of Korean work experience in the qualifying sector

Annual quota

E-9

Set by MOEL each year — over 100,000 new entrants/year

E-7-4

33,000 per year (set annually by government)

Minimum salary

E-9

Minimum wage (₩9,860/hr in 2024 → ₩10,030/hr in 2025)

E-7-4

₩26,000,000/year (₩25M/year for agriculture/fishery)

Employer flexibility

E-9

Strictly employer-bound — changes require EPS channel approval (only for documented violations, closure, or after 3 years with consent)

E-7-4

Employer change allowed with immigration notification — more flexible than

Work sectors allowed

E-9

Manufacturing, construction, agriculture, livestock, fishery, forestry, selected services

E-7-4

Same sectors as your history (must match prior experience)

Can you bring family?

E-9

No family accompaniment on

E-7-4

dependent visa for spouse and children is possible after converting to E-7-4

Path to PR (F-5)

E-9

No direct path — must upgrade visa first

E-7-4

Yes — E-7-4 holders can accumulate points toward F-2-7 and then permanent residency

Maximum stay

E-9

Up to 4 years 10 months per entry (extendable under limited conditions)

E-7-4

Renewable — no theoretical maximum, path to permanent stay

Which should you choose?

E-9is right for you if…

You are from one of the 17 EPS partner countries and want to work in Korea for the first time
You have not yet accumulated 4 years of Korean work experience
You are in the early stages of your EPS career building experience toward a future E-7-4 application

E-7-4is right for you if…

You have worked in Korea under E-9, E-10, or H-2 for 4 or more years
You have earned 80+ points on the E-7-4 evaluation (K-Point E74: income 50+, Korean language 50+, age, work history, employer recommendation)
You want to bring your spouse and children to Korea
You want a realistic path toward F-2-7 and ultimately permanent residency
Your current employer recommends you and you meet the ₩26M/year salary requirement

Typical path:

The typical progression for long-term EPS workers: → accumulate 4 years → E-7-4 → hold E-7-4 for several years → qualify for F-2-7 (points-based residency) → hold for qualifying period → permanent residency. The E-7-4 conversion is the critical first step out of the EPS system. Miss the 33,000 annual quota and you wait for the next cycle.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I qualify for E-7-4?

You need: (1) 4+ years of E-9, E-10, or H-2 status in Korea, (2) currently employed at the same company for 1+ years, (3) employer recommendation, (4) ₩26M+/year salary contract, and (5) a score of 200+ out of 300 points on the K-Point E74 evaluation — with minimum 50 points each in the income and Korean language categories. Calculate your score at HiKorea before applying.

What happens if the annual E-7-4 quota is full?

Applications are accepted on a first-come basis. Once the 33,000 annual quota fills (usually within months of opening each year), applications are deferred to the next allocation period. Apply as early as possible each year if you are eligible.

Can I apply for E-7-4 if I have been with multiple employers?

You must currently be employed at the same employer for 1 year or more to qualify for employer recommendation. The total 4-year experience can include multiple employers, but the 1-year current employer requirement must be met at the time of application.

Does E-7-4 qualify for family reunification?

Yes. Once you hold E-7-4 status, your spouse and minor children can apply for an F-3 (dependent companion) visa to accompany you in Korea. This is one of the biggest practical differences from E-9 status, under which family accompaniment is not available.