South Korea’s Specialized Job Market
The South Korea E-7 Visa, also known as the Specific Activities (E-7) Visa, is officially the work permit of choice in South Korea to a professional looking to have a long-term career .South Korea is a global leader in technology and manufacturing, with the South Korea E-7 Visa being the standard work permit.
Predominant Requirements Sponsorship and Salary
Two main factors that are important in choosing an E-7 application are the presence of a Job Offer Letter Korea and a meeting of the government-established salary floor.
Qualification and Employer Sponsorship
The sponsorship visa is called Sponsorship Korea Work Visa and it is the only way to get the visa. You are not eligible to apply on your own. The Korean employer has to prove:
- Necessity: They have to demonstrate that it is necessary to employ a foreigner more than a local one.
- Quota Compliance: They have to comply with rigid quotas of the number of foreign workers to secure the domestic labor market.
- Documents Proof: The employer becomes part of the procedure by obtaining a Certificate of Visa Issuance (COVI) with Korea Immigration Service.
Minimum Salary E-7 Visa (2025 Modification)
The Korea Ministry of Justice (MOJ) establishes minimum and maximum salary rates to ensure that foreign employees do not lower wages and positions in the country. The annual salary requirements are as follows (Gross Annual Income):
E-7-4 Points System The Bridge to a Long-term Stay
The E-7-4 Points System is a very important channel of taking the Foreign Skilled Workers Korea who are already in the country under the non-professional visa ( E-9, E-10 and H-2) into long-term professional status.13 This Change of Status of Residence Korea is an effort to retain experienced and localized talent.
Scoring Criteria
The applicant should have a minimum aggregate score (e.g., 52 points minimum or 72 points in Future Contribution Value section) depending upon the sum of the points offered in total (approximately 209 points) and an element of Minimum Salary E-7 Visa.
The primary considerations made are:
- Annual Income: Evidence of steady income (e.g. KRW 26 million and above in the previous two years).
- Work Experience: Number of years of experience in the industry that is needed (should be 4-5 years and in the past 10 years).
- Education: Educational qualification (Higher marks given to Bachelors degree)
- Age: The younger applicants are awarded more points.
- Korean Language Proficiency Test (TOPIK): High scores on TOPIK or Social Integration Program (KIIP) are very important.
The Annual Quota E-7-4 is restricted and very competitive with preference given to individuals with the best results.
The Benefits in the Visa Process and the Long-Term Benefits
The normal procedure of Korea Work Visa Application Process is to have the employer apply the COVI application to the Korea Immigration Service followed by the application being granted, the applicant applies to the Korean embassy or consulate overseas to have the physical visa stamped.
- E-7 Visa Processing Time: After the COVI received it normally takes 2 to 4 weeks to get the Ministry of Justice to give the approval although this may take a longer duration.
- Dependent Visa Korea (F- 3): E- 7 visa holders may qualify to bring their spouse and unmarried children below 20 years of age on an F-3 dependent visa.
E-7 Visa renewal/extension E-7 visa is typically provided between one and three years and can be renewed further as long as the employee is working with the same terms of the initial contract and the employer still satisfies the visa requirements.
FAQs
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Can I change jobs on an E-7 visa?
A transfer of workplaces in the E-7 visa needs the consent of the Korea Immigration Service. The new employer has to satisfy all the initial sponsorship and quota conditions and the foreign worker should submit a Change of Status of Residence Korea application. It is generally restrictive.
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What are the Education and Experience Requirements E-7 to the E-7-1?
In the majority of E-7-1 jobs, you have to possess either a Bachelor’s degree in a related field with one year of related work experience, or five years or more work experience in the related field (without related degree).
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What is the frequency of renewing the E-7 visa?
The first term of stay is one to three years on average. Before the existing period of stay runs out, you have to apply E-7 Visa Renewal (or E-7 Visa Extension) and demonstrate that you are still employed and that you are meeting all the conditions, including the Minimum Salary E-7 Visa.22.
Final Thoughts
By ascertaining your occupation to be in the E-7 Occupations List, that your salary is above the 2025 thresholds, and that you have any prior experience abroad to play the competitive E-7-4 Points System, you can easily go through the process and have a long-term, specialty career as one of the vital Foreign Skilled Workers Korea.
Disclaimer
The article is informative and educational. It is recommended that any decision made by a reader be obtained by checking all their visa requirements, salary limits and application process from the real Ministry of Justice (MOJ) or the Korea Immigration Service websites.