Visa Guide · Ministry of Justice 2026

E-7 Professional Work Visa

Korea's primary work visa for foreign professionals. Required for most white-collar employment, from IT and engineering to marketing and finance.

E-7 Subtypes & 2026 Salary Minimums

E-7-1Professional₩31,120,000/year

Roles: IT, Engineering, Finance, Design, R&D, Marketing, Management

Education: Bachelor's + 1yr experience (or Master's/PhD)

E-7-2Semi-professional₩25,890,000/year

Roles: Translation, Culinary arts, Aviation, Hospitality

Education: Associate degree or 3+ years experience

E-7-3General skilled₩25,890,000/year

Roles: Specific occupations designated by MOJ

Education: Varies by occupation

E-7-4Skilled technician₩26,000,000/year

Roles: Manufacturing, construction (E-9 → upgrade)

Education: E-9/H-2 experience 4+ years (no degree required)

Source: Ministry of Justice Notice No. 2025-406. Valid Feb 1 – Dec 31, 2026.

SalaryEmployer must guarantee ₩31,120,000/year minimum in the employment contract
EducationBachelor's degree + 1 year relevant work experience. Master's or PhD removes the experience requirement.
Major-job matchDegree field must relate to the job role. Most common rejection reason when not met.
Korean languageTOPIK 2+ is the legal minimum. In practice, most competitive roles require TOPIK 3–4; large companies prefer TOPIK 5+.
EmployerRegistered Korean company with valid business number, enrolled in 4 social insurance programs.
Employment typeDirect employment only (정규직). Freelance, dispatch, or contractor arrangements are ineligible.

→Visa application form (사증발급인청서)

→Passport (valid 6+ months)

→Passport-size photo (taken within 6 months)

→Degree certificate — apostilled or embassy-certified

→Official transcript

→Employment contract (showing salary ≥ minimum threshold)

→Employer business registration certificate

→Employer financial statements or tax records

→Work experience certificate (if using experience instead of higher degree)

→Tuberculosis test certificate (required for nationals of designated countries)

Document requirements may vary — confirm with the Korean embassy in your country or the Hi Korea portal (hikorea.go.kr).

Employer submits sponsorship request

고용주가 사증발급인정서(CoE) 신청 → Immigration approves → Issues to employer

Apply at Korean embassy in your country

Submit documents with the CoE. Processing: 5–20 business days (varies by country).

Enter Korea

E-7 visa stamped in passport. Enter within the validity period.

Within 90 days of arrival: visit immigration office, register, receive Alien Registration Card (ARC).

Annual renewal

E-7 must be renewed annually with employer. Job change requires new E-7 application within 90 days.

→ E-7 is employer-tied. Leaving your job gives you 90 days to secure a new E-7 sponsor — or your status lapses.
→ Job changes require re-application. Even changing roles within the same company may require notification.
→ Side jobs are prohibited without separate immigration approval.
→ F-5 income threshold (₩43,000,000/year avg) is significantly above the E-7 minimum — plan salary growth from year one.

Based on Ministry of Justice E-7 guidelines (2026). Not legal advice.