1. Overview of the E-7 (Special Activity) Visa
- Definition: A visa designed to attract foreign professionals with specialized knowledge or skills designated by the Minister of Justice, based on an employment contract with public or private organizations in Korea.
- Occupational Categories (85 categories, 277 detailed occupations):
- Professional Workers (67): Business support managers, IT developers, engineers, overseas sales specialists, etc.
- Semi-professional Workers (9): Chefs, duty-free shop salespersons, hotel receptionists, etc.
- General Skilled Workers (6): Ship welders, aircraft maintenance technicians, animal caretakers, etc.
- Advanced Skilled Workers (3): Skilled workers in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and fisheries.
2. Applicant (Foreign National) Eligibility Requirements
The applicant must meet at least one of the following conditions, and relevance to the job position is strictly reviewed.
- General Requirements:
- Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field.
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field + at least 1 year of experience.
- At least 5 years of work experience in the relevant field.
- Special Cases for Graduates of Korean Universities:
- Junior College Graduates: 1-year experience requirement waived if employed in a related field.
- Bachelor’s Degree Graduates: 1-year experience requirement waived; employment in unrelated fields may be permitted if necessity is recognized.
- Special Cases for Outstanding Talent:
- Applicants with 1 year of experience at a Fortune Global 500 company or graduates from top 200 global universities may have relaxed requirements.
- High-income earners with salaries exceeding 3 times Korea’s GNI may be exempt from education/experience requirements.
3. Employer Requirements & Screening Criteria (Protection of Domestic Employment)
To prevent job displacement of Korean workers, employer qualifications and hiring ratios are strictly reviewed.
- Employment Ratio: Foreign employees may be hired within 20% of Korean employees (who have been enrolled in employment insurance for at least 3 months). Typically, at least 5 Korean employees are required.
- Hiring Restrictions: Small businesses with fewer than 5 Korean employees or domestic-oriented companies are generally restricted.
- Exception: Venture companies, high-tech industries, or export-oriented businesses may exceed the 20% limit or receive exemptions.
- Salary Requirements (2026 기준): Applicable to new, extension, and change applications from February 1, 2026.
| Status |
Minimum Salary (Annual, Before Tax) |
| Professional (E-7-1) |
KRW 31.12 million or more |
| Semi-professional (E-7-2) |
KRW 25.89 million or more |
| General Skilled (E-7-3) |
KRW 25.89 million or more |
| Advanced Skilled (E-7-4) |
KRW 26.0 million or more |
4. Application Procedure & Required Documents
[Administrative Process]
Employment contract → Application for Certificate of Visa Issuance (Immigration) → Review → Visa issuance (Korean embassy/consulate) → Entry → Foreigner registration (within 90 days)
[Key Required Documents]
- Company Documents: Business registration certificate, tax clearance certificates (national/local), employment insurance subscriber list, statement of employment necessity.
- Foreign Applicant Documents: Passport, degree certificate (notarized/apostilled), career certificate, resume, employment contract.
- Special Documents (if applicable): Employment recommendation letter (required for 15 occupations), guarantee letter (required for 10 occupations).
5. Practical Risks Frequently Asked by Foreign Applicants (FAQ)
- Nature of Investment (D-8 related): The KRW 100 million investment is operating capital, not a deposit. It may be used for rent, salaries, etc., but improper personal withdrawal may result in visa cancellation.
- U.S. Tax Obligations (FATCA/FBAR): U.S. investors must report if total foreign account balances exceed $10,000. Korean banks collect SSN/EIN and report to the IRS.
- Family Accompaniment: Spouse and children may enter on an F-3 visa, but employment is generally not permitted.
- Initial Settlement: Before receiving an Alien Registration Card (approx. 3–4 weeks), mobile phone contracts and full banking services are limited.
- Health Insurance: Enrollment in Korea’s national health insurance is mandatory once salary is received.
6. Important Notes & Conclusion
- Document Validity: Foreign documents must be issued within 3–6 months and require Apostille or consular authentication.
- On-site Inspection: Immigration may conduct workplace inspections; a dedicated office is required.
- Salary Requirement: Even a shortfall of 1 KRW below the required salary may result in visa rejection or extension denial.
Consultation & Inquiry
If you need assistance with E-7 visa applications or immigration procedures, please contact us below.
Visa-related forms can be previewed and downloaded from the website below.
SIWOON VISA – Korea Visa & Business Consulting
Website
https://siwoonoreabiz.org
Email
siwoonkoreabiz@gmail.com
Consultations are available via WhatsApp, KakaoTalk, and email.
If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding the above content, please feel free to leave a comment.
댓글
댓글 쓰기