Work · South Korea

South Korea Professional (E-5) visa

Official name: Professional (E-5)

This route is for work in professional fields such as law, accounting and medicine. The official Visa Navigator lists a stay of up to five years, which can be extended.

immigration.go.kr · checked 3 hours agoSource

Main fee: $60 per person
Decision: Not published yet
Last checked: 3 hours ago

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Who it's for

Is this for you?

People with a professional qualification recognised under South Korean law who intend to do the corresponding professional work in South Korea.

Requirements

What you need

Professional qualification
Have a national certificate, such as that of a foreign lawyer, certified public accountant or doctor, under the laws of the Republic of Korea.
overseas.mofa.go.kr · checked 3 hours agoSource
Relevant professional work
Plan to engage in professional work in legal, accounting, medical or other fields prescribed by the laws of the Republic of Korea; a person covered by Professor (E-1) status is excluded.
overseas.mofa.go.kr · checked 3 hours agoSource
Visa issuance confirmation
For the embassy application procedure described on this page, obtain a Visa Issuance Confirmation Number from a Korean immigration office before applying for the visa.
overseas.mofa.go.kr · checked 3 hours agoSource

Money and time

Fees and how long it takes

Basic fee for a single-entry visa allowing a stay of 91 days or more; nationality-based adjustments or exemptions may applyoverseas.mofa.go.kr · checked 3 hours agoSource$60 per person

Step by step

How it works

Get ready
- Check your professional eligibility
  Check that your certificate and intended work fit the E-5 professional category.
  You’ll need: Professional certificate
- Arrange your professional work
  Arrange the professional work you intend to undertake in South Korea.
Apply
- Ask your inviting party to obtain visa confirmation
  The inviting party in South Korea applies for Visa Issuance Confirmation through a Korean immigration office or the Korea Visa Portal.
  You’ll need: Visa Issuance Confirmation
- Receive and check your confirmation
  After approval, ask the inviting party for the printed confirmation and have them correct any inaccurate personal details.
  You’ll need: Printed Certificate of Visa Issuance
Visa
- Apply for your visa
  Submit the application and supporting documents required by the Korean diplomatic mission handling your application.
  You’ll need: Visa application, Passport, Photograph, Certificate of Visa Issuance
Travel
- Print your visa grant notice
  Carry the Visa Grant Notice when entering South Korea.
  You’ll need: Visa Grant Notice, Passport
Settle in
- Report your employment information
  If engaged in for-profit activity under E-5 status, submit employment information online when registering as a foreigner and report subsequent changes within 15 days.
  You’ll need: Employment information

After this

Where it leads

Eligible holders may later qualify for Resident (F-2) or Permanent Resident (F-5) status, subject to those statuses’ separate requirements.

Questions

In short

Who is the South Korea Professional (E-5) visa for?

People with a professional qualification recognised under South Korean law who intend to do the corresponding professional work in South Korea.

What do I need for the South Korea Professional (E-5) visa?

Professional qualification; Relevant professional work; Visa issuance confirmation.

How much does the South Korea Professional (E-5) visa cost?

Basic fee for a single-entry visa allowing a stay of 91 days or more; nationality-based adjustments or exemptions may apply: $60 per person.

What can the South Korea Professional (E-5) visa lead to?

Eligible holders may later qualify for Resident (F-2) or Permanent Resident (F-5) status, subject to those statuses’ separate requirements.

How we know

Sources

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.

South Korea

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South Korea Study (D-2) visa

The D-2 visa is for study on regular courses at institutions offering associate degrees or higher, and for specified research activities. It also has categories for exchange students and work-learning linked study.

Fee: $40 per person
Decision: —

Official source · checked 3 hours ago

Work

South Korea E-7 work visa

The E-7 route is for work in occupations designated by South Korea’s Minister of Justice under a contract with a Korean organisation. The requirements depend on the occupation and E-7 category.

Fee: $60 per person
Decision: —

Official source · checked 3 hours ago

See if you fit the South Korea Professional (E-5) visa

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Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.