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 July 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
July 14, 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
$74.63 (status change inside Korea) / $44.78 (extension) / $44.78 (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). No GNI salary threshold applies — minimum wage is sufficient.
E-7-3 (일반기능인력, General Skilled): 16 occupation codes as of January 2026, including recently added halal slaughterhouse worker (할랄 도축원, January 2026) and auto body/paint worker (자동차 판금·도장원, October 2025). Most E-7-3 occupations require only minimum wage, but the three shipbuilding trades — shipyard welder (조선용접공 7430, added October 2024), ship electrician (선박전기원 76212), and ship painter (선박도장원) — plus power transmission electrician (송전전기원 76231, added August 2024) are the exception: they carry their own 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, workers newly introduced from October 2024 onward get a temporary relaxed wage of ₩25,880,000+/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.
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 selection quota is 33,000. This category does not require a university degree — points are awarded for years of Korean work experience, Korean language ability (TOPIK), income, and age.
The E-7-1 salary threshold is updated each January based on the previous year's per-capita GNI. For 2025 applications the standard threshold is approximately ₩43.5 million per year (full GNI). Companies classified as SMEs (중소기업), venture-certified (벤처기업), or located outside the Seoul metropolitan area may hire at 70% of GNI (reduced from 80% in April 2025). 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 + 16 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 per-capita GNI threshold announced by the Ministry of Justice for the relevant year (approx. ₩43.5M for 2025). SME/venture/non-metropolitan employer: 70% of GNI (approx. ₩30.5M for 2025). 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: only minimum wage required (hourly minimum × 209 hours/month); no GNI threshold; qualification requirements are occupation-specific
E-7-4: no university degree required; evaluated via K-Point E74 scoring (Korean language TOPIK, years of Korean employment, income, age, family ties); minimum qualifying score must be met; 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
E-7 points calculation form (비자 점수표) — completed and signed by both employer and applicant
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 E-7-1 GNI threshold for the current year (approx. ₩43.5M/year for 2025 applications). If your employer is an SME, venture company, or non-metropolitan business, the 70% threshold (approx. ₩30.5M/year) applies. 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 — Calculate your points (E-7-1) or K-Points (E-7-4)
For E-7-1: complete the standard points form. Points are awarded for: age (maximum at 25–35), education (master's = highest), income relative to GNI, TOPIK score, and prior legal Korea residence. There is no published minimum score for E-7-1, but a weak score combined with a borderline employer situation increases rejection risk. For E-7-4: the K-Point E74 system has a published minimum threshold; consult an immigration specialist for the current cut-off.
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 (₩30,000). 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), current business registration, and updated points form. 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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Alien Registration Card (ARC)
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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.
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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.
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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.
Get instant answers to these visa questions with our Korea-focused AI assistant.
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.
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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