E-7 Specific Activity Visa Korea: Eligibility, Documents & Process [2026]
Last updated: 2026-05-09 | Source: 사증민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 (April 14, 2026)
- Employer-sponsored visa — a Korean company must hire you and submit the application
- Covers 87 designated occupation codes (2026)
- Requires bachelor's degree in related field OR high school + 5 years relevant experience
- Salary: initial issuance = occupation-specific standard; renewal = previous year GNI (~KRW 50M/year)
- Path to F-2-7 residency after 3 years → F-5 permanent residency after 5+ years
What is the E-7 Visa?
The E-7 (Specific Activity / 특정활동) visa is Korea's primary employer-sponsored work visa for foreign nationals with specialized skills in designated fields. Unlike E-2 (language teaching) or E-1 (professor), E-7 covers a broad range of technical and professional occupations across 87 job categories.
Key characteristics:
- Employer-driven: The hiring Korean company submits the application and provides the majority of documents
- Occupation-restricted: You must work in one of the 87 officially designated occupation codes
- Renewable: Can be renewed annually, typically up to 3 years per grant
- Family-eligible: Spouse and minor children may join on F-3 dependent visas
Eligibility Requirements
| Category | Standard |
|---|---|
| Education (Option A) | Bachelor's degree or higher in a field related to the target occupation |
| Education (Option B) | High school diploma + minimum 5 years of relevant work experience |
| Occupation code | Must match one of the 87 Ministry of Justice-designated codes |
| Salary | Meets occupation-specific minimum (고시기준) — varies by job code |
| Employer eligibility | Legally registered Korean company with no immigration violations, no outstanding taxes |
| No violations | No overstay, unauthorized employment, or criminal record |
Key Occupation Code Categories
| Code | Category | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| E-7-1 | Specialized activities | IT/software, engineering, finance, design, management consulting |
| E-7-2 | Special skilled activities | Ship crew, aviation, specialized trades |
| E-7-3 | General service activities | Food service management, hotel management (certain categories) |
| E-7-4 | Points-based skilled worker | Manufacturing, construction, food processing — requires 200+ points on skills assessment |
The complete occupation code list is updated annually by the Ministry of Justice. For a specific occupation check, contact VISION ARC for a code confirmation.
Salary Standards
| Stage | Standard | 2026 Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Initial issuance | Occupation-specific minimum wage (직종별 고시기준) | Varies by job code; typically KRW 2.3M–4M/month |
| Renewal | Previous year GNI (국민총소득) or above | Approx. KRW 50 million/year (KRW 4.17M/month) |
Required Documents
Applicant (Employee)
- Visa application form (통합신청서)
- Passport (original)
- Passport photo (3.5×4.5 cm, white background)
- Degree certificate + transcript (apostilled or notarized if issued abroad)
- Career certificate(s) / work experience letters
- Resume/CV
- No-criminal-record certificate (범죄경력증명서) — apostilled
Employer (Company)
- Business registration certificate (within 3 months)
- Corporate registry extract — 등기부등본 (within 3 months)
- Employment contract (with occupation code, salary, term)
- Job description (직무기술서) — detailing role and relevance to occupation code
- Statement of necessity for foreign hire (외국인 고용 필요성 입증서류)
- Financial statements (recent 2 years) + tax payment certificate
- Employer's proof of no tax delinquency (납세증명서)
Application Process
- Confirm occupation code — verify that your role appears on the current Ministry of Justice E-7 code list
- Secure employment contract — sign a formal contract meeting the salary minimum for your code
- Gather applicant & employer documents — prepare all items from both lists above; apostille foreign documents
- Submit visa application
- If outside Korea: submit at the Korean embassy/consulate in your country
- If inside Korea (on eligible status): submit change-of-status at the local immigration office
- Await decision — typically 2–4 weeks; supplementary materials may be requested
- Register ARC — after visa issuance and entry into Korea, register alien registration card (외국인등록) within 90 days
After E-7: Extension & Residency Pathway
| Step | Requirement |
|---|---|
| E-7 Extension (연장) | Apply 4 weeks before expiry; salary ≥ GNI; same employer & code. See E-7 Extension Guide |
| F-2-7 Residency (3+ years) | After 3+ years E-7 + 80 points (age/education/Korean/income). See F-2-7 Guide |
| F-5 Permanent Residency (5+ years) | 5+ years total legal stay; TOPIK 3+; income ≥ GNI; no violations |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for E-7 from outside Korea?
Yes. If you are outside Korea, apply for a D/E visa at the Korean embassy or consulate in your home country or country of legal residence. The employer in Korea submits most documents; you provide personal documents (degree, resume, criminal record certificate). Once the visa is issued, enter Korea and register your ARC within 90 days.
My job involves multiple tasks — which occupation code applies?
The code should reflect your primary duties. If your role spans multiple codes, select the one that best describes the dominant function. The employer's job description should align with the selected code. VISION ARC can help you identify the correct code to minimize rejection risk.
What if my degree is not in a related field?
A degree in an unrelated field reduces approval probability. Two alternatives: (1) demonstrate 5+ years of directly relevant work experience as a substitute for academic qualification, or (2) look into D-10 (Job Seeker) visa to find employment and clarify code fit before applying. Immigration officers assess the connection between your background and the proposed occupation code.
Can I change employers on E-7?
Yes, but this requires a change-of-status application (체류자격 외 활동 또는 변경) — not just notification. You must receive immigration approval before starting work at the new employer. Working for a new company without prior approval is considered unauthorized employment and can result in deportation and a re-entry ban.
How long is the E-7 stay period?
Initial E-7 visa is typically granted for 1 year. Extensions are granted for 1 year at a time, up to 3 years per grant depending on occupation and employer. There is no absolute maximum number of renewals as long as all conditions are met.
Need help with your E-7 application?
VISION ARC handles E-7 applications in English — occupation code confirmation, document preparation and full application support.
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