Can ship officers get an E-10?

No. E-10 is for non-officer crew members (부원) only. Foreign officers (captains, navigators, engineers, communications officers) are classified as professional workers and must obtain an appropriate E-series professional work visa.

What is the total crew quota for E-10?

The Ministry of Justice sets an annual total quota for E-10 seafarers, based on agreement between shipping unions and maritime industry associations, reviewed by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The quota varies year to year.

Can E-10 lead to permanent residency?

E-10 stay counts toward certain pathways. Notably, 4+ years of E-9, E-10, or H-2 status in the last 10 years qualifies a worker to apply for the E-7-4 skilled worker status change, which can eventually lead to F-2 long-term residence and then F-5 permanent residency.

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Work Visa

Korea E-10 VisaSeafarer Employment Visa

Work as a non-officer crew member on Korean domestic ships, fishing vessels, or cruise ships.

Reviewed March 2026 — sourced from official Korean government portals

Stay Duration

Duration of employment contract (typically 6 months to 1 year, renewable with the same employer)

Processing

4–8 weeks (requires 사증발급인정서 from immigration)

Overview

The E-10 visa (선원취업 — seafarer employment) is issued to foreign nationals who will serve as non-officer crew (부원, bu-won) on Korean domestic cargo and passenger ships, fishing vessels, or international cruise ships. It covers three types of employment: inland/coastal seafarers (내항선원) on domestic commercial ships of a specified tonnage, fishery seafarers (어선원) on qualifying fishing vessels, and cruise ship seafarers (순항여객선원) on international cruise liners. All E-10 visas must be sponsored through a 사증발급인정서.

Who is the E-10 visa for?

Foreign nationals who have signed a seafarer employment contract of at least 6 months as a non-officer crew member (부원) with a Korean shipping company, fishing enterprise, or cruise operator. The employer must hold the relevant Korean maritime operating licence.

Eligibility requirements

Signed seafarer employment contract (최소 6개월 이상) with a qualifying Korean maritime employer
Position must be non-officer crew (부원) — officers and engineers are covered under separate categories
Employer must have the relevant maritime operating licence and obtain the 외국인선원고용추천서 from the regional maritime authority
Criminal background check from home country (required from a specified date)
Health declaration (자필 건강상태 확인서) covering tuberculosis, hepatitis B, syphilis, drug use, and mental health history
No serious immigration violations

Required documents

1.
Valid passport + visa application form + passport photo
2.
사증발급인정서 (Certificate of Visa Issuance) — filed by the employer
3.
Signed standard seafarer employment contract (표준근로계약서)
4.
신원보증서 (identity guaranty)
5.
외국인선원고용신고수리서 (foreign seafarer employment approval) from the regional maritime authority
6.
업종별 추가서류 — varies by sub-type (inland: 내항화물운송사업등록증; fishery: fishing licence; cruise: 순항여객운송사업면허증)
7.
Criminal background check
8.
Self-written health declaration form

How to apply — step by step

1
Employer obtains approval from maritime authority
Your Korean employer must secure the 외국인선원고용추천서 (employment recommendation certificate) from the relevant regional maritime authority (지방해양수산청) and the 외국인선원고용신고수리서.
2
Employer applies for 사증발급인정서
The employer files the visa sponsorship application at the immigration office covering their registered business address. Industry-specific associations may file on the employer's behalf.
3
Apply at the Korean consulate
Once the 사증발급인정서 is issued, apply for the E-10 visa at the Korean embassy or consulate with the required documents.
4
Arrive, board, and register
Report to the ship on arrival. Register as a foreign resident at the local immigration office (or obtain an ARC if your stay is 90+ days).

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