South KoreaWork

South Korea professional work visa (E-7)

E-7 specially designated activities (E-7-1 professionals; E-7-4 skilled worker points visa)

In short

E-7 is Korea's main visa for foreign professionals: it covers people working under a contract with a Korean public or private organisation in a field designated by the Minister of Justice for national competitiveness. E-7-4 is a separate points-based route for experienced E-9, E-10 and H-2 workers already in Korea.

Apply on Korea Visa Portal (Ministry of Justice) checked 25 October 2026

Key facts

Fee
US$60Basic Korean visa fee for a single entry of 91 days or more (USD 40 up to 90 days, USD 70 double entry, USD 90 multiple entry). Some passports pay adjusted fees or are exempt, and missions may set the payment method.
Processing time
Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel
Work
Only the designated job with the contracted employer; changing or adding a workplace needs permission
Family
Spouse and minor children via F-3
Path to permanent residence
Adults with 5 years on D-7 to E-7 or F-2 statuses can qualify for F-5
Where to apply
At the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence, following its appointment rules

E-7-4 skilled worker points visa

Foreign workers who have worked legally in Korea for at least five of the last ten years on E-9, E-10 or H-2 visas can change to E-7-4 if they meet the skill and points requirements. Annual quotas apply: 400 general places a year (100 per quarter) and a further 200 for high scorers with 75 points or more and for employers that increase Korean hiring. Criminals, tax delinquents and those who have violated the Immigration Act four times or more are excluded.

E-7-1 professionals

E-7-1 is issued to people who plan to work, under a contract with a Korean public or private institution, in an occupation designated by the Minister of Justice to boost national competitiveness with foreign professional knowledge or technology. The employer usually applies for a Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance in Korea, after which you collect the visa at the Korean mission. Detailed occupational lists and requirements are set in Ministry of Justice guidelines published on HiKorea.

Documents

Standard documents plus an official letter from the Korean employer with its details, its business registration certificate and the employment contract. A contract stating salary and period replaces the bank statement. With a visa issuance confirmation obtained by the employer, a reduced document set applies.

Required documents

Identity

  • Original passport valid at least six months beyond travel, plus a copy

Work

  • Employment contract stating salary and period
  • Employer's official letter and business registration certificate

Other

  • Completed visa application form and one recent colour photo 3.5 x 4.5 cm

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Identity

  • If you are not a national of the country where you apply: proof of legal residence there

Study

  • Diplomas and experience certificates required for the occupation

Alien registration after arrival

Anyone staying longer than 90 days must register at the immigration office for their place of stay within 90 days of entry and receive a residence card (fee KRW 35,000). If you do not register, the visa is treated as invalid. A change of address must be reported within 15 days to the local district office or the immigration office. Single-entry long-stay visa holders need a re-entry permit before travelling abroad unless they hold a multiple-entry status.

Extensions and changes in Korea

Extensions and changes of status are applied for at the immigration office, usually with an online reservation on HiKorea, before your period of stay expires. Official fees are KRW 60,000 for an extension and KRW 100,000 for a change of status; a permission for activities outside your status costs KRW 120,000, and changing or adding a workplace also KRW 120,000.

How to apply, step by step

  1. Sign a contract with a Korean employer in a designated occupation; the employer may obtain a visa issuance confirmation in Korea.
  2. Check the application rules of the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence and book an appointment if it requires one.
  3. Fill in the visa application form and prepare original documents; papers issued in Korea should be originals.
  4. Submit the application as the mission requires and pay the visa fee.
  5. Wait for the decision; processing times differ between missions, so apply well before travel.
  6. Enter Korea within three months of issue and register as a foreign resident within 90 days of entry.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change employers on E-7?

Changing or adding a workplace requires prior permission from the immigration office (official fee KRW 120,000).

Is there a route for non-professional workers?

E-9 non-professional employment is part of the Employment Permit System with partner countries; check with the Korean authorities whether your nationality is covered.

When can I apply for permanent residence?

Adults who have stayed five years or more on statuses from D-7 to E-7 or on F-2 can qualify for F-5 if they meet the other requirements.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for South Korea

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days
  • Investor visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel
  • Entrepreneur and start-up visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: Period of stay granted according to the study programme; register within 90 days
  • Language course visa Maximum stay: Granted per course term; register within 90 days if staying longer
  • Researcher visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel

Work

  • Job seeker visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel
  • Intra-company transfer visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel

Family

  • Spouse and partner visa Processing time: Usually a month or more; longer if documents are checked, an interview or field investigation is needed
  • Family reunification visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel

Residence

Online travel permits

Protection

South Korea visa guide