Applying·6 min read
E-1 Professor Visa Korea — University Faculty Eligibility, Salary Requirements & Renewal
The 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.
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
April 22, 2026
Source references
HiKorea — Korean visa & residency manual
Ministry of Justice Immigration Policy Bureau
Korea Immigration Service (출입국·외국인정책본부)
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
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
3. Salary threshold:
The institution must pay above the MOJ minimum threshold for 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
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.
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Key Immigration Terms
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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. is strictly for accredited universities and colleges under the Higher Education Act. Hagwons and private institutes require .
