← Back to Visa Guide
E-7

E-7 Special Occupation Visa

Duration

⏱ 1 year (renewable)

The E-7 visa is issued to foreigners hired for professional, managerial, or technical positions in Korea that cannot be easily filled by Korean nationals. It is the most common work visa for skilled foreign professionals working in Korean companies.

The global professionals choosing to work and live in Korea

Who Qualifies?

  • Foreigners hired by a Korean company or organization for a specialized role

  • Must hold a bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field, OR have 5+ years of relevant work experience

  • The position must be on the government-approved E-7 occupation list β€” covers over 80 job categories

  • The hiring company must demonstrate that the role cannot be filled by a Korean national

  • Minimum salary requirement: at least 80% of the average Korean salary for the same role

Common E-7 Occupations

  • Technology: Software engineer, IT specialist, data scientist, AI researcher

  • Finance: Financial analyst, fund manager, investment banker

  • Education: University professor, researcher

  • Design: Industrial designer, fashion designer, UI/UX designer

  • Marketing: International marketing specialist, content creator

  • Engineering: Mechanical, electrical, chemical engineer

  • Hospitality: Hotel manager, chef (specialized cuisine)

  • Healthcare: Doctor, nurse (with Korean license recognition)

Part 2 - Navigating the best Startup Hubs and Incubators in Korea - Asia Advisory

Documents Required

  • Valid passport

  • Visa application form

  • Employment contract β€” signed by both employer and employee

  • Bachelor's degree certificate β€” apostilled or notarized

  • Career certificates β€” proof of relevant work experience if substituting for degree

  • Company business registration certificate β€” from your Korean employer

  • Letter of recommendation from employer explaining why a foreigner is needed for the role

  • Passport-sized photos

  • Application fee β€” around 60,000 KRW

Application Process

  • Step 1: Secure a job offer from a Korean company

  • Step 2: Your employer applies for a Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance at the Korean Immigration Service

  • Step 3: Once the certificate is issued, apply for your E-7 visa at the Korean embassy in your home country

  • Step 4: Arrive in Korea and apply for your Alien Registration Card (ARC) within 90 days

  • Step 5: Register with the National Health Insurance and National Pension systems

Korea Visa Application Center in Manila

Salary Requirements

  • Minimum annual salary: around 30,000,000–40,000,000 KRW depending on the occupation category

  • Salary must be at least 80% of the average Korean wage for the same occupation

  • Higher salary requirements apply for managerial and executive roles

  • Salary is verified through the employment contract and tax records

Renewal & Long-term Residency

  • E-7 visa is renewable annually as long as employment continues

  • Apply for renewal at your local immigration office at least 2 months before expiry

  • After 5 years of continuous E-7 status, you may apply for F-2 (Resident) visa

  • Points-based system applies for F-2 β€” factors include salary, Korean language ability, and education level

  • Outstanding talent in specific fields may qualify for expedited permanent residency

Changing Jobs on E-7

  • You can change employers on E-7 but must notify immigration within 15 days of changing jobs

  • Your new employer must apply for a new Certificate of Confirmation

  • There is no mandatory waiting period between jobs, but your visa status must be maintained

  • If you become unemployed, you have up to 1 year to find new employment before your status is affected

Useful Resources

Tips

  • Check the official E-7 occupation list on HiKorea before applying β€” your job title must match an approved category

  • Your employer plays a key role in the E-7 application β€” choose a company experienced with hiring foreigners

  • Learning Korean (TOPIK Level 2 or higher) significantly improves your job prospects and visa renewal chances

  • Keep all employment records, payslips, and tax documents β€” these are needed for renewal and future visa upgrades

  • Large Korean conglomerates (μ‚Όμ„±, LG, SK, Hyundai) regularly hire foreigners on E-7 visas