E-7 Occupation Classification in Korea: All 4 Tiers, 94 Jobs Explained

Korea's E-7 system divides permitted occupations into four categories based on skill level:

E-7-1 (Professional / 전문직종): High-skill professional occupations requiring a degree and specialized knowledge. Typical examples: software engineers, data scientists, financial analysts, architects, designers, R&D researchers, university-level instructors, medical device specialists, international business managers. These roles generally face fewer hiring restrictions and the sponsoring employer has more flexibility on the number of E-7-1 holders.

E-7-2 (Quasi-Professional / 준전문직종): Roles that require vocational expertise and typically a relevant diploma or industry certificate. Examples: language interpreters/translators, IT system operators, specialized production technicians in certain manufacturing sectors.

E-7-3 (General Skilled / 일반기능직종): Skilled trade occupations including specific manufacturing, food production, and industrial process roles. E-7-3 applicants may include individuals who qualified through Korea's D-4-6 vocational training pathway or through prior E-9/H-2 experience with demonstrated skill certification.

E-7-4 (Semi-Skilled / 숙련기능직종): The points-based skilled worker category (E-7-4R for regional industry). E-7-4 is available to workers with a track record of E-9/H-2/E-10 employment in specific sectors (manufacturing, agriculture, construction, fisheries) who have accumulated sufficient points. This is sometimes called the 'blue-collar to E-7' pathway.

Each permitted E-7 occupation is identified by:

1. Job code (직종코드): A numeric code used in immigration applications and employer filings
2. Job title (직종명): The official Korean-language occupation name
3. Relevant degree/qualification (자격요건): The minimum educational or professional credential required
4. Standard industry classification (표준산업분류): The sector(s) where the job is typically performed

When your employer submits an E-7 sponsorship application, they specify the job code. The immigration officer evaluates whether your qualifications and the job description match the code. Mismatches — e.g., claiming software engineer (E-7-1) for a role that is actually data entry — are identified and rejected.

The full occupation list is published by the Ministry of Justice and updated periodically. Check the HiKorea website or consult your immigration specialist for the current version.

The salary requirement for E-7 is based on the previous year's per capita GNI (국민총소득), published annually by the Bank of Korea. As of the most recent data, per capita GNI is approximately KRW 48–52 million per year.

Standard threshold (most E-7-1 and E-7-2 positions): Annual salary ≥ previous year's per capita GNI (currently ~KRW 48–52M/year)

Reduced threshold for specific employer categories:

• SMEs (중소기업), venture companies (벤처기업), or non-metropolitan employers may qualify for a reduced threshold of 70–80% of GNI
• E-7-3 skilled occupations have separate occupation-specific salary floors
• E-7-4 semi-skilled roles have a different points-based evaluation without a fixed salary minimum

For E-7-3 and E-7-4 specifically: The salary floor is set per occupation. Certain manufacturing, food processing, and agricultural processing roles have lower stated minimums than professional tier roles. However, the salary must still be consistent with what a Korean worker in the same role would receive (non-discrimination principle).

Note: commission-based or heavily variable pay structures are problematic. Immigration evaluates the base salary on the employment contract, not expected total compensation.

Most E-7 categories have per-company hiring limits that prevent employers from over-relying on foreign workers. The cap is calculated as a percentage of total employees:

• Companies with fewer than 10 total employees: up to 20% may be E-7 workers
• Companies with 10–30 employees: typically up to 20%
• Larger companies: caps vary by sector and category
• Certain E-7-1 professional categories (e.g., software developers, researchers) have higher or no per-company caps

For E-7-4 specifically, the employer must already have at least 1 E-9, E-10, or H-2 worker currently employed at the company. The E-7-4 allotment is tied to the number of existing non-professional foreign workers at the establishment. Check the current E-7-4 guidelines on HiKorea for exact calculations.

Step 1: Look at the actual work you will be doing — not the job title on your contract. Korean immigration looks at the substance of duties.

Step 2: Search the current E-7 permitted occupation list (법무부 외국인력 정책위원회 고시) for the closest matching occupation code. If your role spans multiple codes, choose the one that most closely matches your primary activity and your credentials.

Step 3: Verify the qualification requirement for that code. If you don't meet the educational or certification requirement listed, you do not qualify for that code — regardless of your experience.

Step 4: Confirm with your employer that they can satisfy the salary threshold and per-company hiring cap for that code and their company size.

Step 5: If uncertain, consult a 행정사 (licensed administrative attorney) or 변호사 (immigration lawyer) who specializes in E-7 applications. Getting the code right at the start is far cheaper than appealing a rejection.

While the full official code list should be consulted for your application, common E-7-1 occupations include:

• Software developers / programmers (소프트웨어 개발자)
• Data scientists and analysts (데이터 분석가)
• Electronic and semiconductor engineers (전자공학 기술자)
• Mechanical and industrial engineers (기계공학 기술자)
• Architects (건축사)
• Graphic and UX/UI designers (그래픽 디자이너)
• Financial analysts (금융분석가)
• Supply chain and logistics managers (물류관리자)
• International business managers (국제업무 관리자)
• R&D researchers (연구원) in various science fields
• University lecturers in specialized subjects
• Medical device and pharmaceutical technical roles

For the specific code numbers and detailed qualification requirements for each, download the current E-7 occupation code list from the HiKorea portal (www.hikorea.go.kr) or contact the Korea Immigration Service.