South Korea E-7 work visa

Foreign nationals with a contract to work for a public or private Korean organisation in an eligible occupation.

• Eligible occupation

  The intended work must be in an occupation designated for Specific Activities (E-7). The official guidance lists eligible occupations across management, professional, semi-professional and skilled work.

  studyinkorea.go.kr · checked 3 hours agoSource

• Employment contract

  The applicant must have a contract with a public or private Korean organisation for the designated work.

  overseas.mofa.go.kr · checked 3 hours agoSource

• Job qualifications

  The relevant qualifications for the E-7 occupation must be met; the official guidance calls for a career certificate, a copy of a qualification certificate, and an employment recommendation letter or documents proving the need for employment.

  studyinkorea.go.kr · checked 3 hours agoSource

• 2026 pay threshold

  From 1 February to 31 December 2026, the annual thresholds are KRW 31,120,000 for E-7-1, KRW 25,890,000 for E-7-2, KRW 25,890,000 for E-7-3 and KRW 26,000,000 for E-7-4. An occupation for which the Minister of Justice has set a different threshold follows that threshold instead.

  immigration.go.kr · checked 3 hours agoSource

• Visa issuance confirmation

  For an application using a confirmation of visa issuance, the applicant must receive the confirmation form or its number and expiry date from the Korean sponsor before applying at a Korean embassy or consulate. The confirmation is valid for three months and for one visa issuance.

  visa.go.kr · checked 3 hours agoSource

• Standard single-entry visa application fee for a stay of 91 days or longer; nationality-based adjustments or exemptions may applyvisa.go.kr · checked 3 hours agoSource$60 per person

1. Get ready

   • Check the eligible occupations

     Check that the proposed job appears among the E-7 occupations in the official guidance.

   • Sign an employment contract

     Agree a contract with the Korean organisation for the designated work.

     You’ll need: Employment contract

   • Gather evidence for the job

     Prepare the career, qualification and employment-necessity documents listed in the E-7 guidance.

     You’ll need: Career certificate, Copy of qualification certificate, Employment recommendation letter or documents proving the need for employment

2. Apply

   • Ask the sponsor to request visa confirmation

     For the visa-issuance-confirmation process, the Korean sponsor applies through the Visa Portal if eligible or through the relevant immigration office.

     You’ll need: Passport copy, Photograph, Documents required for the status of stay

   • Get the confirmation details

     Ask the sponsor for the visa application form for confirmation holders or the confirmation number and expiry date.

     You’ll need: Visa issuance confirmation form or confirmation number and expiry date

3. Visa

   • Apply at a Korean diplomatic mission

     Submit the visa application to the Korean embassy or consulate for your country or area of residence, following that mission’s document instructions.

     You’ll need: Visa application form, Passport, Photograph, Visa issuance confirmation details, Documents requested by the diplomatic mission

4. Travel

   • Submit an e-Arrival Card

     3 days before you go

     If you have not yet registered as a resident in South Korea, submit the e-Arrival Card from three days before arrival until entry inspection.

     You’ll need: Passport

5. Settle in

   • Register your residence

     If you intend to stay for more than 90 days, register as a foreign resident within 90 days of entering South Korea.

Eligible holders may be able to apply later for a change to residence status (F-2-7), subject to that route’s separate requirements.

• [E-7] Special Occupation 상세보기|Visa Categories | Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canadaoverseas.mofa.go.krOfficial
• immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration/211/488810/download.doOfficial
• KOREA VISA PORTALvisa.go.krOfficial
• Study in Korea | Run by Korean Governmentstudyinkorea.go.krOfficial
• immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration_eng/230/454085/download.doOfficial
• immigration.go.kr/bbs/moj/189/593161/artclView.doOfficial
• KOREA VISA PORTALvisa.go.krOfficial
• overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-seattle-en/brd/m_23042/view.doOfficial

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.