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E-7 · Employment
E-7 Designated Activities Visa Requirements & Process
1. Overview
The E-7 Designated Activities Visa is a work visa issued to foreign nationals employed by Korean companies in occupations specifically designated by the Ministry of Justice. Unlike general employment visas, the E-7 applies to 85+ professional job categories ranging from engineers and researchers to designers, chefs, and management consultants. Each occupation has its own educational and experience requirements, and the foreign worker's qualifications must precisely match the designated category.
The E-7 visa requires the Korean employer to sponsor the application. The employer must demonstrate that hiring a foreign worker is justified and that the role falls within a designated category. Both the employer and the employee bear documentation responsibilities throughout the application.
2. Key Designated Job Categories
Category
Examples
Typical Qualification
E-7-1 · Professional
Engineer, researcher, IT developer, architect
Bachelor's degree in related field
E-7-2 · Specially Designated
Fashion designer, food service technician, hotel manager
Note: The full list of 85+ designated occupations and category-specific requirements is maintained by the Ministry of Justice. VISASKOREA attorneys verify the applicable category for each client individually.
3. Requirements
A Korean employer (company, organization, or institution) willing to sponsor the application
The position falls within one of the 85+ E-7 designated job categories
Applicant holds a bachelor's degree or higher in a related field (or equivalent experience for certain categories)
Salary meets or exceeds the Ministry of Justice minimum (based on annual GNI per capita; generally KRW 2.3M+/month for recent years)
No immigration law violations; no serious criminal record
Company meets minimum size/sales requirements (varies by category; e.g., annual revenue KRW 300M+ for some categories)
4. Required Documents
Party
Document
Notes
Applicant
Application form, original passport + copy, photo
3.5×4.5 cm, within 6 months
University diploma and transcripts
Apostille + certified Korean translation
Career certificate / work experience letters
If substituting for academic qualification
Professional licenses / certifications
If applicable to the category
Employer
Business registration certificate
Korean company registration
Employment contract (signed)
Must state position, salary, and term
Financial statements or tax payment certificate
Demonstrates company viability
Reason for hiring foreign national (justification letter)
Why a Korean worker cannot fill this role
5. Application Process
Free consultation — verify job category eligibility and qualification match
Employer prepares company documents (registration, financials, justification letter)
Applicant prepares personal documents (diploma + apostille, experience certificates)
Employer submits application at the immigration office (or Korean embassy/consulate if applicant is abroad)
E-7 visa issuance confirmation (if applying from abroad) or status change (if in Korea)
Obtain visa at Korean embassy in home country, or receive new ARC in Korea
Register change of workplace at immigration office within 15 days if employer changes in the future
6. FAQ
Q. How many job categories does the E-7 cover?
A. The Ministry of Justice designates 85+ occupational categories (as of 2024). Each category has specific educational and experience requirements that the applicant must satisfy.
Q. Is a university degree required for all E-7 categories?
A. For most categories, a bachelor's degree in a related field is required. However, some categories allow verified work experience (e.g., 5+ years) to substitute for academic credentials.
Q. Is there a minimum salary requirement?
A. Yes. The applicant's salary must generally meet the GNI per capita standard set annually by the Ministry of Justice. Salaries below the threshold are a common reason for E-7 rejection.
Q. Can an E-7 holder change employers?
A. The E-7 is tied to a specific employer and position. Changing employers requires the new employer to file a fresh application. Unauthorized workplace changes constitute an immigration violation.
Q. Can E-7 lead to permanent residency?
A. Yes. After accumulating enough points under the F-2-7 points system (income, Korean proficiency, age, education), E-7 holders may convert to F-2-7 long-term residency and eventually F-5 permanent residency.
