Work in a skilled professional role at a Korean company.
Stay Duration
1–3 years per issuance (based on employment contract); renewable
Processing
2–6 weeks
Visa Fee
$74.63 (status change) / $44.78 (extension)
Fees and processing times sourced from HiKorea & Ministry of Justice. Figures are updated periodically but may change — verify before submitting.
The E-7 visa (also called the Special Occupation visa) is for foreigners employed in specific professional or technical occupations that require specialized skills not readily available in the Korean workforce. It is divided into four sub-categories: E-7-1 (professional, 67 occupations), E-7-2 (semi-professional — several occupations added in 2024–2025 including power transmission electrician 송전전기원 76231 Aug 2024, shipbuilding welder 조선용접공 7430 and ship electrician 선박전기원 76212 Oct 2024, and root-industry skilled worker 뿌리산업체 숙련기능공 S740 Jan 2025), E-7-3 (general skilled, 16 occupations as of January 2026 — newly added: halal slaughterhouse worker 할랄 도축원 Jan 2026, auto body/paint worker 자동차 판금·도장원 Oct 2025), and E-7-4 (숙련기능인력 — skilled workforce points system, K-Point E74). E-7-4 is a distinct pathway for long-term E-9/E-10/H-2 workers in manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, and construction to transition to a higher-status skilled visa via a points assessment. In 2026, the annual E-7-4 selection quota is 33,000.
Skilled foreign professionals with a job offer from a Korean company in one of the designated E-7 occupations. Candidates typically need a relevant degree and/or significant work experience. A points-based scoring system evaluates age, education, income, and Korean language ability.
Job offer from a Korean company in a designated E-7 occupation (67 E-7-1 professional + E-7-2 semi-professional + 16 E-7-3 general skilled + 3 E-7-4 points-based skilled categories)
General qualification: master's degree OR bachelor's degree + 1 year relevant experience OR 5 years relevant experience
Salary — E-7-1 (professional): at or above the Ministry-announced standard, based on the previous year's per capita GNI (~₩42–50M; updated annually); SME/venture/non-metropolitan employers: 70% of GNI (reduced from 80% as of April 2025). E-7-2 (semi-professional) and E-7-3 (general skilled): only minimum wage or above required — the GNI threshold does NOT apply to these sub-categories
High earners — E-7-1: if salary ≥ 1.5× GNI with ministry recommendation, or ≥ 3× GNI regardless, degree/experience requirements are waived
Overseas promising talent (해외 유망인재) exception (December 2025): applicants age 29 or under who graduated from a world top-university (per THE/QS rankings) OR are Korean studies majors with TOPIK Level 6 are exempt from job-related degree AND experience requirements — only employment necessity must be recognized
Company must be registered with Korea Immigration Service and meet financial viability requirements
Korean language ability (TOPIK) and other factors may be evaluated depending on occupation category
Valid passport
Visa application form + passport photo
Employment contract
Degree certificate (apostilled or verified)
Career certificates or proof of work experience
Company's business registration certificate
Company's financial statements (recent)
E-7 points calculation sheet
Criminal background check (if required by occupation)
Confirm your occupation is eligible
Check the Ministry of Justice's list of designated E-7 occupations. Your job title must closely match a listed category.
Calculate your points score
Use the E-7 points system to verify you meet the 60-point minimum. Points are awarded for age, education, income, Korean language ability, and prior Korean residence.
Employer applies for confirmation of visa issuance
Your Korean employer submits the initial application to the regional immigration office to obtain a Certificate of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서).
Apply at the Korean consulate
With the issuance certificate, apply for your E-7 visa at the Korean embassy in your country.
Arrive and register
Register at your local immigration office within 90 days of arrival to receive your Alien Registration Card.
Need help with your E-7 visa?
Connect with a verified specialist who handles E-7 applications.
Unfamiliar with a term?
See all 94 eligible occupations
Searchable table of every E-7 occupation — E-7-1 professionals (67), E-7-2 semi-professional (10), E-7-3 skilled (14), and E-7-4 points-based (3).
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