Korea's primary employer-sponsored work visa for skilled foreign professionals — occupation-code fit, salary, employer records, and job duties all have to match.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed September 2026
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
September 4, 2026
Source references
Issuance-manual sections covering E-7 occupation eligibility, salary-threshold handling, and employer-sponsored filing.
Stay-manual sections covering E-7 extension, status change, employer change reporting, and stay-period review.
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.
These points are drawn from Korea immigration manuals and recurring review patterns for higher-risk visa categories.
HiKorea — Korean visa & residency manual: Issuance-manual sections on E-7 occupation eligibility, salary handling, and sponsor review.
Ministry of Justice Immigration Policy Bureau: Stay-manual sections on E-7 extension, employer change reporting, and stay-period review.
Stay Duration
1–3 years per issuance (based on employment contract length); renewable indefinitely as long as employment continues
Processing
2–6 weeks at a regional immigration office; Certificate of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서) required before consulate application if applying from overseas
Visa Fee
≈ $75 (status change inside Korea) / $45 (extension) / $45 (Certificate of Visa Issuance)
Fees and processing times sourced from HiKorea & Ministry of Justice. Figures are updated periodically but may change — verify before submitting.
Readiness check
Use this quick self-check before you spend time on forms or book a consultation for Specific Activities Visa (Skilled Worker).
Next focus
Eligibility fit
I meet the core E-7 requirements and understand any sponsor, degree, income, family, or experience conditions that apply.
The E-7 visa (특정활동, Specific Activities) is Korea's main skilled-worker visa. In practice, E-7 approval is not just a question of having a Korean job offer. Immigration reviews whether the job duties fit an approved E-7 occupation code, whether the applicant's degree or career history supports that code, whether the salary and contract meet the current standard, and whether the employer can justify hiring a foreign specialist.
It is divided into four sub-categories:
E-7-1 (전문인력, Professional): 67 occupation codes covering IT, engineering, research, finance, education, arts, language services, and professional sports. Requires a qualifying degree and/or work experience, and a salary at or above the Ministry-announced GNI threshold. This is the most common E-7 type for office professionals.
E-7-2 (준전문인력, Semi-professional): service/office-sector occupations (e.g. announcers, international medical-tourism coordinators). The 2026 wage requirement in the current issuance manual is ₩25,890,000 or more per year.
E-7-3 (일반기능인력, General Skilled): 14 occupation codes, per the current issuance manual's occupation table, including recently added halal slaughterhouse worker (할랄 도축원, January 2026) and auto body/paint worker (자동차 판금·도장원, October 2025). The general 2026 wage requirement for E-7-3 is ₩25,890,000 or more per year, but some trades follow their own standard. The three shipbuilding trades — shipyard welder (조선용접공 7430, added October 2024), ship electrician (선박전기원 76212), and ship painter (선박도장원) — carry a wage floor of 80% of the prior year's per-capita GNI (correcting an earlier site description that placed these under E-7-2 with no GNI threshold). As of a May 2026 manual clarification, shipbuilding workers newly introduced from October 2024 onward get a temporary relaxed wage of ₩25,890,000+/year (2026 baseline) for their first 3 years from entry date, after which the full 80%-GNI floor applies; workers already mid-tenure before October 2024 must keep their existing wage level rather than benefiting retroactively from the relaxed figure. Power transmission electrician (송전전기원 76231, added August 2024) has a separate income standard instead: the manual checks for pay of about ₩42,000,000 per year (₩3,500,000 per month, 2024 basis).
E-7-4 (숙련기능인력, Skilled Workforce): a distinct points-based (K-Point E74) pathway for long-term E-9, E-10, or H-2 workers in manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, and construction to upgrade to a higher-status skilled visa. The 2026 annual quota is 33,000 (set by the Ministry of Justice in February 2026), and the 2026 wage requirement is ₩26,000,000 or more per year. This category does not require a university degree — points are awarded for average income, Korean language ability and age, with bonus points for items such as an employer or government recommendation, 3+ years at the current workplace, or a Korean degree or licence.
The Ministry of Justice sets and announces the E-7 wage requirement every year. For 2026 the current issuance manual gives ₩31,120,000 or more per year for E-7-1; some occupations follow a separate standard set for that specific occupation. Where an occupation is subject to an 80%-of-GNI wage requirement, SMEs (중소기업), venture-certified companies (벤처기업), and mid-sized companies outside the Seoul metropolitan area may apply a relaxed 70% of GNI to workers with no more than 3 years of prior E-7 employment in Korea — for at most 3 years, after which the 80% standard applies. High-earning candidates (salary ≥ 1.5× GNI with a government-backed recommendation, or ≥ 3× GNI unconditionally) may have the degree and experience requirements waived entirely.
Since December 2025, an "overseas promising talent" exception applies: applicants aged 29 or younger who graduated from a world top-500 university (THE or QS rankings) OR are Korean studies majors with TOPIK Level 6 are exempt from the job-related degree and work experience requirements — only employer necessity must be substantiated.
The E-7 is also the primary route to long-term residency: after accumulating qualifying points (K-Point system, minimum 80), E-7 holders become eligible for F-2-7 (points-based long-term resident visa), and after 5 years of continuous legal residence, for F-5 permanent residency.
The E-7 is Korea's main employer-sponsored work visa for professional and designated skilled roles. The strongest cases start by proving that the offered job matches an approved E-7 occupation code, then align the applicant's degree or career history, salary, employer documents, and job duties to that code.
Start with the occupation code
Do not begin from the job title alone. Map the actual duties to the E-7 occupation list first, then make the contract, employer letter, and career evidence use the same role logic.
Separate E-7-1 from E-7-2, E-7-3, and E-7-4
E-7-1 is the professional track with stricter salary and qualification screening. E-7-2 and E-7-3 cover specific shortage or skilled occupations. E-7-4 is mainly an in-country upgrade path for qualifying E-9, E-10, or H-2 workers.
Check salary and sponsor quality early
Small employers, vague job descriptions, low salary, weak tax records, or an unclear foreign-hire rationale can create supplement requests even when the applicant is qualified.
Foreign nationals with a job offer from a Korean company in a designated E-7 occupation. The typical candidate is a university-educated professional — IT developer, engineer, finance professional, teacher, translator, designer, or similar specialist — whose contract duties match a specific E-7 code. E-7-4 is specifically for E-9/E-10/H-2 workers already in Korea in manual industries seeking to upgrade their visa status. Employers must demonstrate that the role cannot be filled by a qualified Korean national and that the applicant's background fits the sponsored occupation.
Job offer from a Korean employer in one of the Ministry of Justice-approved E-7 occupation codes (67 E-7-1 professional codes + E-7-2 semi-professional + 14 E-7-3 general skilled codes + E-7-4 skilled workforce categories)
E-7-1 qualification (general): master's degree in a related field OR bachelor's degree + at least 1 year of relevant work experience OR at least 5 years of relevant work experience with no degree
E-7-1 salary requirement: at or above the wage requirement announced by the Ministry of Justice for the relevant year (₩31,120,000 or more per year for 2026, per the current issuance manual; some occupations follow their own occupation-specific standard). Where an 80%-of-GNI requirement applies, SMEs, venture companies, and mid-sized companies outside the Seoul metropolitan area may apply 70% of GNI for at most 3 years, after which 80% applies. Salary threshold verified against employment contract AND actual payroll records at renewal.
E-7-1 qualification waiver: salary ≥ 1.5× GNI with a government recommendation letter (기관 추천서) from a designated ministry or agency — degree/experience requirements are waived. Salary ≥ 3× GNI — waived unconditionally.
E-7-2 and E-7-3: ₩25,890,000 or more per year (2026 wage requirement in the current issuance manual); some E-7-3 trades, such as shipyard welder and ship painter, follow their own occupation-specific standard; qualification requirements are occupation-specific
E-7-4: no university degree required; evaluated via K-Point E74 scoring (average income, Korean language ability and age, plus bonus items such as recommendations and 3+ years at the current workplace); minimum qualifying score must be met; an annual quota applies (33,000 for 2026)
Overseas promising talent exception (December 2025 onwards): age ≤ 29, graduated from a world top-500 university (THE or QS) OR Korean studies major holding TOPIK Level 6 — exempt from E-7-1 degree and experience requirements
Employer must be registered with Korea's business registry (사업자등록증), financially solvent, and registered with the Korea Immigration Service as an E-7 sponsor
Employer size requirements for E-7-1: companies with fewer than 5 Korean employees are generally not eligible to sponsor an E-7; larger companies must maintain a ratio of Korean to foreign employees
No criminal record: a serious criminal background may disqualify the application, particularly for occupations in education, healthcare, or security
For occupations in children's education (E-7 language instructor): additional documents including criminal background check and health certificate are mandatory
Delay and refusal risks
E-7 is one of the most scrutiny-heavy Korean work visas because the job, employer, salary, occupation code, and applicant profile must all align.
The job title alone is not enough. Immigration can question a case when duties, salary, degree, experience, and occupation code do not describe the same role.
Manual basis: The E-7 manual is organized around specific occupation codes and requires the applicant's work to fit the permitted activity.
Low salary, vague contract terms, missing worksite details, or contract changes can trigger closer review, shorter stay grants, or refusal.
Manual basis: The E-7 sections reference wage requirements, minimum-wage handling, contract review, and restrictions when salary standards are not met.
Sponsor-side issues such as tax arrears, wage arrears, illegal hiring history, insufficient Korean employees, or quota limits can affect the filing.
Manual basis: The E-7 manual includes employer restriction, hiring-limit, and compliance-review sections.
Applicants often lose time when the education/experience file does not prove the specific occupational qualification claimed.
Manual basis: The E-7 manual ties many occupation routes to degree, career, licensing, recommendation, or special-route evidence.
E-7 is tied to approved activity and employer conditions. Freelancing, second jobs, or employer changes can create extension and cancellation risk.
Manual basis: The stay manual covers E-7 employer-change, additional workplace, and status-scope management rules.
Source note
These are practical risk factors for Specific Activities Visa (Skilled Worker), not a complete list of legal refusal grounds. Final review can vary by nationality, filing channel, consulate, immigration office, and case facts.
Real-world scenarios
E-7 scenarios are strongest when the occupation code, real duties, applicant qualifications, and employer documents all tell the same story.
You have a Korean employer and the role is software, IT, data, engineering, or another skilled professional field.
Main risk
Immigration will look for a clean match between the E-7 occupation code, job duties, degree or experience, contract, salary, and employer records.
Documents to prioritize
You studied in Korea, hold or plan to hold D-10, and have a Korean employer ready to sponsor E-7.
Main risk
A Korean degree helps only if the job, degree field, occupation code, and employer sponsorship are consistent.
Documents to prioritize
A Korean startup wants to sponsor a foreign developer, designer, engineer, or specialist.
Main risk
Small employers need especially clear evidence of business activity, salary ability, Korean hiring records, and why the foreign role is needed.
Documents to prioritize
Valid passport (minimum 1 year validity remaining beyond intended stay)
Completed visa application form (통합신청서) + recent passport-size photograph
Signed employment contract (근로계약서) — must specify job title, salary, employment period, and job duties in detail
Certificate of degree (학위증명서) — must be apostilled (if from a Hague Convention country) or notarised at a Korean consulate; Korean universities: sealed original transcript + diploma
Career certificates / employment verification letters (경력증명서 or 재직증명서) for all prior relevant positions — apostilled or notarised; must state: employer name, job title, dates of employment, key duties
Company business registration certificate (사업자등록증) — issued within the last 3 months
Company's most recent financial statements (재무제표) or corporate tax return (법인세 신고서) — to demonstrate financial viability
Points self-assessment sheet (점수제 자체 심사표) — E-7-4 (K-Point E74) applicants only; other E-7 codes, including E-7-1, have no points form
Employer's written justification for hiring a foreign national (외국인 고용필요성 소견서) — explains why a Korean national could not fill the role
Criminal background check from applicant's home country — apostilled; for most nationalities required; FBI check for US nationals; DBS for UK nationals
If applying from overseas: Certificate of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서) first — the employer submits to immigration, receives the certificate, then the applicant uses it to apply at the Korean consulate abroad
For language instructors: additional health certificate and criminal background check from all countries of residence in the past 5 years
For E-7-4 (K-Point pathway): K-Point E74 score sheet, TOPIK certificate (Level 2 minimum), employment history from previous E-9/E-10/H-2 employer(s), income proof (last 3 months payslips or tax withholding certificate)
Photo of employer's actual workplace (if requested by the reviewing officer — common for new or small companies)
Step 1 — Verify your occupation is eligible
Cross-check your job title against the Ministry of Justice's official E-7 occupation code list (available on HiKorea and hi.immi.go.kr). The match must be accurate — a mismatch is the most common cause of rejection. If your role spans multiple categories, your employer should select the most applicable code and document the alignment clearly.
Step 2 — Check the salary requirement
Confirm your offered salary meets the wage requirement announced for the current year (for 2026: ₩31,120,000 or more per year for E-7-1, ₩25,890,000 for E-7-2 and E-7-3, ₩26,000,000 for E-7-4; some occupations follow their own occupation-specific standard). Where an 80%-of-GNI requirement applies and your employer is an SME, venture company, or mid-sized company outside the Seoul metropolitan area, a relaxed 70% standard may apply for at most 3 years. Your employment contract must clearly state the annual salary. Note: bonuses, housing allowances, and non-regular payments may not be counted toward the salary threshold — base salary is the primary figure reviewed.
Step 3 — Check whether a points test applies (E-7-4 and E-7-S2 only)
Most E-7 codes, including E-7-1, have no points test. The issuance manual's general requirement is one of: a master's degree or higher in a field related to the occupation; a bachelor's degree plus at least 1 year of related experience; or at least 5 years of related work experience (individual occupations can carry their own requirements). Points tests exist for two categories only. E-7-4 (K-Point E74): at least 200 points out of 300, bonus points included, with at least 50 points each in the average-income and Korean-language items (until December 31, 2026, an applicant who meets the other requirements and scores at least 150 points in total can be approved without the Korean minimum, on condition of reaching it by the first extension, 2 years later). E-7-S2 (the advanced-industry track of the negative-list E-7-S visa): at least 60 points on its own score table, plus income of at least 1× the previous year's per-capita GNI.
Step 4 — Employer applies for Certificate of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서)
If you are outside Korea, the employer must first submit an application to the local immigration office (출입국외국인청) in the area where the company is registered. The application package includes the employment contract, company documents, and supporting materials. Processing takes 2–4 weeks. Once approved, the employer receives the certificate and sends it to you. Without this certificate, you cannot apply for the E-7 at a Korean consulate.
Step 5 — Apply at the Korean consulate or embassy in your country
Bring the Certificate of Visa Issuance, your apostilled degree and career certificates, criminal background check, and completed application form. Visa is typically issued within 3–7 business days of the consulate appointment. Some consulates (e.g. USA, Canada) accept appointments online via the K-Visa system.
Step 6 — Enter Korea and register for your ARC
After arriving in Korea, register for your Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증) at the local immigration office within 90 days. Bring your passport, visa, 2 photos, employment contract, and application fee (₩35,000). The ARC is required for opening a bank account, enrolling in national health insurance, and most daily administrative tasks.
Step 7 — Renewal (if continuing employment)
Apply for renewal at least 60 days before your current E-7 expires (earlier is strongly recommended). For renewal you will need: updated employment contract, recent payslips (3 months), and current business registration. If your salary has fallen below the GNI threshold, immigration may refuse renewal or require additional justification. If you change employers, you must notify immigration and may need to re-apply rather than simply renew.
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Visa Process
Alien Registration Card (ARC)
The Alien Registration Card (ARC) is the official ID card issued to foreigners staying in South Korea for 91 days or longer. It is required to open a bank account, sign a phone contract, and access most public services.
Visa Process
HiKorea
How to use HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) — Korea's official immigration portal for visa extensions, status changes, and ARC renewal. Processing time: 3-10 business days.
Visa Process
Visa Extension (Stay Period Extension)
A visa extension — officially called a 'stay period extension' (체류기간 연장) in Korean immigration law — allows a foreigner to legally remain in Korea beyond the expiry date on their current visa or ARC without leaving the country.
Visa Process
Status of Sojourn Change (체류자격 변경)
A status of sojourn change allows a foreigner already in South Korea to switch from one visa category to another without leaving the country — for example, from a D-2 student visa to an E-7 skilled worker visa upon graduation and employment.
The Ministry of Justice sets and announces the E-7 wage requirement every year. The current issuance manual gives these figures for 2026: E-7-1 (professional) ₩31,120,000 or more per year; E-7-2 (semi-professional) ₩25,890,000 or more; E-7-3 (general skilled) ₩25,890,000 or more; E-7-4 (skilled workforce) ₩26,000,000 or more. Some occupations follow a separate standard set for that occupation instead: the shipbuilding trades (welder, ship electrician, ship painter) within E-7-3 carry an 80%-of-GNI wage floor, with a temporary relaxed rate for workers newly introduced since October 2024, and power transmission electrician has its own income standard (see the E-7 overview for the exact figures). Where an 80%-of-GNI requirement applies, SMEs (중소기업), venture-certified firms (벤처기업), and mid-sized companies outside the Seoul metropolitan area may apply 70% of GNI to workers with no more than 3 years of prior E-7 employment in Korea — for at most 3 years, after which the 80% standard applies.
Yes, but it is not simple. You must notify immigration of the workplace change (근무처 변경 신고) within 15 days of starting with the new employer. If the new role is in the same E-7 occupation category and the employer meets sponsorship requirements, the change can be processed as a notification rather than a full re-application. If you are moving to a different E-7 occupation code, your new employer may need to apply for a fresh Certificate of Visa Issuance and you may need to re-apply for the visa. Changing employers without notifying immigration is a visa violation and can result in cancellation.
Generally no. The E-7 authorises you to work only for the specific employer named on your visa — it is employer-tied. Freelance work, side jobs, or work for a second employer without immigration approval is illegal and constitutes a visa violation. Exceptions: if you obtain a part-time work permission (시간제 취업허가) from immigration and the additional work is in your authorised occupation, limited secondary employment may be permitted. Consult an immigration specialist before taking on any secondary income while on E-7.
Most E-7 codes have no points system. For E-7-1 and the other general codes, the issuance manual sets qualification requirements instead — a master's degree or higher in a related field, a bachelor's degree plus at least 1 year of related experience, or at least 5 years of related work experience — and lists no points form among the application documents. Points tests apply to two categories only. E-7-4 uses the K-Point E74 table (300 points: average income up to 120, Korean language up to 120, age up to 60, plus bonus items): you need at least 200 points including bonus points, with at least 50 each for income and Korean (until December 31, 2026, an applicant who meets the other requirements and scores at least 150 points in total can be approved without the Korean minimum, on condition of reaching it by the first extension, 2 years later). E-7-S2, the advanced-industry track of the negative-list E-7-S visa, requires at least 60 points on its own score table plus income of at least 1× the previous year's per-capita GNI.
Yes — it is one of the most common pathways. After accumulating 80+ points on the K-Points (F-2-7) scoring system (which counts age, education, income, Korean language, years of Korea residence, and other factors), you can apply for F-2-7 long-term resident status. After 5 years of continuous legal residence in Korea (including your time on E-7), you are eligible to apply for F-5 permanent residency, provided you meet the income, language, and character requirements. Some high-skilled E-7 holders may qualify for F-5 through faster pathways (F-5-9, F-5-10, F-5-11) depending on their qualifications.
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried minor children can apply for the F-3 (Companion/Dependent) visa to join you in Korea. F-3 holders can reside in Korea for as long as your E-7 remains valid. Note: F-3 does NOT include work authorization — your spouse cannot work in Korea on an F-3. If your spouse wants to work, they must independently qualify for a work visa (e.g. E-2, E-7) or change to an eligible status.
If your employer closes or terminates your position, your E-7 status is tied to that employment and you lose the legal basis for your visa. You have a grace period (generally up to 2 months) to find a new qualifying employer and change your workplace. If you cannot find a new sponsor, you must depart Korea before your visa expires or change to another eligible status (e.g. D-10 Job Seeker if you qualify). Do not remain in Korea illegally — overstay penalties include fines, deportation, and re-entry bans.
E-7-T (유망톱티어 특정활동) is the "almost there" tier of Korea's Top-Tier talent program, restructured June 25, 2026 into two tracks: a MOTIE-recommended advanced-industry track and a newer MSIT-recommended science/academia track for professors and researchers. On the industry track, E-7-T is for applicants who meet the education and career bar but whose income is only ≥2× GNI, short of the 3× GNI needed for full Top-Tier resident status (F-2-T). Benefits: streamlined review and a direct path to F-2-T once income qualifies, then straight to F-5-T permanent residency (there is no F-2-7 K-Point step in this pathway).
This is a serious issue. At renewal, the immigration officer will review your payslips for the past 1–3 years. If your actual salary is below the required GNI threshold, your renewal may be denied. If you received a salary reduction, you should proactively consult an immigration specialist before your renewal date. Documentation explaining the reduction (e.g. company financial difficulty, agreed temporary cut with formal reinstatement plan) may help, but it is not guaranteed to be accepted.
Yes, provided you have a job offer from a qualifying Korean company. A bachelor's degree plus 1 year of relevant work experience satisfies the general E-7-1 qualification. Fresh graduates with zero experience need either a master's degree, or may qualify under the overseas promising talent exception (December 2025) if they are 29 or younger and graduated from a world top-500 university (THE/QS).
There is no fixed limit on E-7 renewals. You can continue renewing as long as you remain employed in a qualifying E-7 occupation with a qualifying employer at the required salary. Extensions are typically granted for 1 to 3 years based on your employment contract. Most long-term professionals on E-7 renew every 1–2 years until they transition to F-2-7 or F-5.
KIIP (Korea Immigration Integration Program, 사회통합프로그램) is a language and culture education program operated by the government. Completing KIIP is not required to obtain or renew the E-7 visa, but it provides points bonuses in the K-Points system used for F-2-7, and KIIP completion is accepted in lieu of the TOPIK requirement for some F-5 pathways. If you plan to eventually apply for long-term residency, enrolling in KIIP early is strongly recommended.
E-7-1 is for professional white-collar roles (67 codes: IT, engineering, finance, arts, language, education, healthcare, research). Requires degree/experience AND a salary at or above the announced wage requirement (₩31,120,000 or more per year for 2026). E-7-2 is a semi-professional category covering 10 office and service occupations; the 2026 wage requirement is ₩25,890,000 or more per year. E-7-3 covers general skilled manual occupations (14 codes, including the shipbuilding welders, electricians and painters); the 2026 wage requirement is ₩25,890,000 or more per year, with separate standards for some trades. E-7-4 is a points-based upgrade path (K-Point E74) for E-9/E-10/H-2 workers already in Korea in agriculture, manufacturing, fisheries, or construction — no degree required, 2026 wage requirement ₩26,000,000 or more per year, annual quota of 33,000 for 2026.
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Specific tracks under the E-7 category. Pick the one that matches your situation for track-level documents, criteria, and filing notes.
The same visa can involve different authentication, translation, sponsor-document, and review risks depending on nationality and document origin.
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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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