Korea Work Visa for IT Professionals & Software Engineers

The vast majority of foreign IT workers in Korea are on E-7 (Specific Activities) — specifically E-7-1 professional. The eligible IT occupations under E-7-1 include: software developer (217.1), systems engineer (221.1), network and infrastructure engineer (222.1), database administrator (231.1), AI/machine learning researcher (213.1, typically classified as natural sciences researcher), information security specialist (223.1), IT project manager (131.1), and UX/UI designer (285.2). The occupation code must match your actual job duties — Korean Immigration Service (KIS) does verify this through the job description and contract.

For cutting-edge research roles, E-3 (Research) may apply — it is used by professors, post-doctoral researchers, and R&D scientists at Korean universities (KAIST, POSTECH, SNU, UNIST) and corporate R&D labs (Samsung Research, LG AI Research, Hyundai Motor Advanced R&D). E-3 requires a graduate degree or equivalent research track record.

E-7-1 professional roles require a minimum annual salary of ₩26,040,000 (approx. USD $19,600) as of 2025. However, in practice, Korean IT salaries for foreign hires are significantly higher: entry-level software engineer at a Korean tech company typically earns ₩40–60M; mid-level ₩60–100M; senior/lead ₩100M+; data scientist/ML engineer ₩70–120M. Large conglomerates (Samsung, LG, SK) often offer global-hire packages with housing allowances and stock. The salary stated in your employment contract must at minimum meet the legal threshold — immigration will check.

If you want to found your own tech company in Korea rather than join an existing employer, the D-8-4 (Corporate Investment — Startup) visa is the right path. Unlike D-8-1, D-8-4 requires no minimum capital — instead, you need to score 60+ points out of 300 on a points test covering: patents and IP (max 60 pts), utility models (max 40 pts), OASIS program completion (30 pts), government startup funding/TIPS selection (60 pts), TOPIK Korean language ability (20 pts), master's degree or higher (20 pts), and prior Korean work/study experience (20 pts). K-Startup Grand Challenge participants are fully exempt from the points test.

E-3 (Research) covers natural sciences researchers, engineering researchers, social sciences researchers, humanities researchers, and industrial technicians employed by research institutions. Requirements: master's degree or higher (or equivalent research track record), employment at a research institute (대학 연구기관, 정부출연연구기관, or corporate R&D centre registered with the Ministry of Science and ICT), and an employment contract. does NOT require the same quota restrictions as , making it more flexible for research-focused hires. Duration: up to 5 years initial grant.

1. Job offer: Secure an offer from a Korean company. The company must be a registered legal entity in Korea with all tax payments current.
2. Occupation code confirmation: You and your employer confirm the correct occupation code for your role.
3. Government employment recommendation (고용추천서): Some IT occupations require a recommendation from the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) or the relevant industry ministry before KIS will process the . Your employer initiates this.
4. 사증발급인정서 (Certificate of Visa Issuance — CVI): Your employer applies to the regional immigration office for the CVI. This takes 1–3 weeks. Required company documents: business registration, tax payment certificate, proof of need to hire a foreigner, employer's health insurance certificate. Your documents: degree certificate (translated and apostilled if from abroad), experience certificates, CV, passport copy.
5. Visa application at consulate: Take the CVI to the Korean embassy or consulate in your country and apply for the visa. Processing: 3–7 business days.
6. Arrival and ARC registration: Within 90 days of arrival, register for your Alien Registration Card (ARC) at the local immigration office.

Total timeline from offer to arrival: approximately 6–12 weeks.

If you are already in Korea (on student, a working holiday, or another status) and want to job-hunt, or if you are a 해외유망인재 (overseas high-potential talent) who qualifies for the pre-arrival pool, the D-10 (Job Seeker) visa gives you up to 6 months to find a qualifying employer. holders can interview, complete coding challenges, and attend meetups. Once you receive an offer, your employer initiates the CVI process and you convert from D-10 to E-7 without leaving Korea.

Once on , your path to permanent residency is well-defined: (1) Accumulate F-2-7 K-Points — a score of 80+ out of 170 qualifies you for F-2-7 long-term residency. IT workers typically score highly on: income (up to 60 pts based on annual salary), education (bachelor's = 17 pts, master's = 20 pts, PhD = 25 pts), Korean language TOPIK (up to 20 pts), and age (18–24 = 25 pts). (2) Hold F-2 status for 5 years (or 2 years for F-2-7 holders who maintain high qualifying criteria). (3) Apply for F-5 permanent residency. Many skilled IT workers on ₩80M+ salary can qualify for F-2-7 within 1–2 years of arriving on .