Work visas for moving to South Korea

Korea's main employer-sponsored work visa, covering ~90 designated professional, semi-professional and skilled occupations (E-7-1 professionals being the largest group). Requires a Korean employer and a Ministry of Justice occupation match.

Processing time

2-8 weeks (visa issuance confirmation via KVAC/embassy)

Validity

Up to 3 years per issuance, renewable

Government fees

Approx. USD 60 single-entry / USD 90 multiple-entry visa fee

Requirements

• Job offer in one of the designated E-7 occupation codes
• Master's degree; or bachelor's plus 1+ year of relevant experience; or 5+ years of relevant experience
• Minimum annual salary for E-7-1 of about KRW 31.1 million (2026 Ministry of Justice standard); SMEs and non-capital-region companies may use a relaxed ~70%-of-GNI threshold
• Sponsoring company meets foreign-hire ratio and financial soundness requirements
• Clean criminal record and valid health status

Documents you will need

• Valid passport: Valid for the intended stay
• Employment contract: Stating occupation code, salary and duration
• Degree certificate (apostilled): With apostille or consular legalisation
• Career/experience certificates: Proving the required years in the field
• Employer's business registration: Company registration and financial documents
• Criminal record check (optional): Required for certain occupations and nationalities

Worth knowing

• The salary floor is updated periodically against GNI per capita - confirm the current figure before contract signing
• Occupation-code fit matters more than job title; misclassification is a common refusal reason
• Points-based E-7-S track exists for top-tier talent with fewer restrictions
• After a year in Korea you can assess the F-2-7 points visa for employer-independent residency
• Register at the local immigration office for a residence card within 90 days of arrival

Path to residency: F-2-7 points residency after 1+ year, then F-5 permanent residence

Temporary status to search for a job (D-10-1) or prepare a startup (D-10-2) in Korea, commonly used by graduates and by OASIS participants building toward D-8-4.

Processing time

2-4 weeks

Validity

6 months per grant, extendable to 2 years total

Government fees

KRW 130,000 status change / approx. USD 60 visa fee abroad

Requirements

• D-10-1: bachelor's degree+ (points-assessed: age, education, Korean ability, experience) with intent to seek E-series employment
• D-10-2: startup plan plus participation in a startup-support programme such as OASIS
• Sufficient funds for the stay
• No record of illegal employment or immigration violations

Documents you will need

• Valid passport: Valid for the intended stay
• Degree certificate: Apostilled for overseas degrees
• Job-search or startup plan: Activity plan form for the intended track
• Proof of funds: Bank balance covering living costs
• OASIS participation certificate (optional): For the D-10-2 startup preparation track

Worth knowing

• Korean university graduates get the smoothest D-10 approvals
• Part-time work is possible only with separate permission - assume no income
• D-10-2 with OASIS coursework is the standard runway to the D-8-4 startup visa
• Switch to E-7 in-country once you receive a qualifying offer

Long-term residency status awarded on a points system (age, education, Korean language, income, experience). Frees the holder from employer sponsorship and permits nearly unrestricted work.

Processing time

2-8 weeks at the local immigration office

Validity

1-5 years, renewable

Government fees

KRW 130,000 (status change) plus KRW 30,000 residence card fee

Requirements

• Score 80+ points out of the assessment table (age, education, TOPIK level, income, Korean study/training bonuses)
• Currently hold a qualifying status (e.g. E-1 to E-7, D-8, D-10) - typically 1+ year of stay in Korea
• Immediate application possible regardless of stay length with annual income above roughly KRW 40 million
• No serious criminal or immigration violations
• Proof of stable income and accommodation

Documents you will need

• Valid passport and residence card: Current Korean residence card (ARC)
• Points self-assessment with evidence: Degree certificates, TOPIK score, income tax proof for each point claimed
• Income documentation: Tax office income certificate (sodeuk geumaek jeungmyeong)
• Employment or business proof: Certificate of employment or business registration
• Housing contract (optional): Lease or ownership evidence

Worth knowing

• TOPIK level is the biggest controllable point lever - level 4+ transforms most applications
• The Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP) earns bonus points and can substitute for TOPIK
• Spouse and minor children can obtain accompanying F-2 status
• Keep income tax filings clean - declared income drives both points and renewals

Path to residency: F-5 permanent residence typically after 3 years on F-2-7