E-1 Professor Visa Korea — University Faculty Eligibility, Salary Requirements & Renewal
The E-1 visa is issued to foreign nationals employed as professors, lecturers, or faculty members at Korean colleges and universities accredited under the Higher Education Act (고등교육법). E-1 is one of the most stable Korean work visas — professors at accredited institutions enjoy long-stay durations, family accompaniment rights, and a clear path toward long-term residency.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed July 2026
Review & source basis
Reviewed against
James Chae, 행정사 (Korean Licensed Administrative Attorney). License No. 220-06-06463 · 대한행정사회 (Korean Administrative Agents Association). Reviewed against the HiKorea 사증·체류업무 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 and cross-checked with Ministry of Justice issuances.
Last reviewed
July 14, 2026
Source references
Filing caution
Requirements can change by nationality, local immigration office, and filing channel. Confirm exact requirements with HiKorea, the responsible Korean consulate, or a licensed immigration specialist before filing.
Eligibility criteria for E-1
E-1 applicants must meet all of the following:
1. Academic qualification: • PhD (doctoral degree) from a recognized university — the standard requirement for full-time faculty • OR master's degree plus significant professional experience for fields requiring practical expertise (fine arts, music performance, professional practice fields)
2. Employment at an accredited institution: • Accredited college or university under the Higher Education Act (고등교육법) • Includes universities (대학교), colleges, graduate schools, and junior colleges (전문대학) • Non-accredited private institutes (hagwons, language schools) do NOT qualify — those use E-2
3. Salary threshold: The institution must pay above the MOJ minimum threshold for E-1 qualification (updated periodically — confirm with the hiring institution's international office).
Required documents
• Valid passport • Visa application form + photo • Employment contract from the Korean university • University's Higher Education Act accreditation confirmation • PhD certificate — apostilled or consularly authenticated • Degree transcript (official) • CV / academic curriculum vitae • Criminal background check (apostilled)
Stay duration, family rights, and E-1 vs E-2 vs E-3
Duration: Typically 1 year; renewable annually. For tenured faculty, 2–3 year visas are sometimes issued at renewal.
Family: Spouse and children may accompany on F-3 (dependent companion).
| E-1 Professor | E-2 English Teacher | E-3 Researcher | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer | Accredited university | Language school/hagwon | Research institute |
| Degree | PhD (standard) | Bachelor's minimum | PhD or master's |
| Primary activity | Teaching + research | Language instruction | Research |
A foreign professor teaching Korean history at Yonsei University → E-1. A foreign native English speaker at a hagwon → E-2. A molecular biologist at KAIST → E-3.
Path to long-term residency from E-1
• F-2-7 (Points-based): After 1+ years in Korea, E-1 holders can apply if they meet the K-Point threshold (typically 80+ points). Doctoral degree and professor-level income are high-scoring factors. • F-2-99 (5-year continuous residence): After 5 continuous years of qualifying status, provides open work rights. • F-5 (Permanent residency): Available after F-2-7 with 1 additional year.
Tips from 행정사s
Apostille or authentication of your PhD certificate is critical — plan 4–8 weeks for this process before starting the visa application.
The university's HR/international faculty office handles most of the Korean-side documentation — coordinate closely with them.
Need help with this?
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Key Immigration Terms
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Visa Process
Alien Registration Card (ARC)
The Alien Registration Card (ARC) is the official ID card issued to foreigners staying in South Korea for 91 days or longer. It is required to open a bank account, sign a phone contract, and access most public services.
Visa Process
HiKorea
How to use HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) — Korea's official immigration portal for visa extensions, status changes, and ARC renewal. Processing time: 3-10 business days.
Visa Process
Visa Extension (Stay Period Extension)
A visa extension — officially called a 'stay period extension' (체류기간 연장) in Korean immigration law — allows a foreigner to legally remain in Korea beyond the expiry date on their current visa or ARC without leaving the country.
Visa Process
Status of Sojourn Change (체류자격 변경)
A status of sojourn change allows a foreigner already in South Korea to switch from one visa category to another without leaving the country — for example, from a D-2 student visa to an E-7 skilled worker visa upon graduation and employment.
Frequently asked questions
I have a master's degree, not a PhD. Can I get E-1?
Possibly, depending on the field. For applied and professional fields (architecture, fine arts, music performance, business practice), some Korean universities hire faculty with master's degrees plus professional experience. The accredited institution's determination of your qualification is key.
Can I teach at a hagwon on E-1?
No. E-1 is strictly for accredited universities and colleges under the Higher Education Act. Hagwons and private institutes require E-2.