Which Korea work visa is most common for foreign professionals?

E-7 (Specific Activity) is by far the most common work visa for foreign professionals working in Korea's corporate sector — covering IT, engineering, finance, design, management consulting and 87 other occupations. It requires employer sponsorship. D-7 is used for intra-company transfers from a foreign parent company to the Korean subsidiary.

What is the difference between E-7 and D-8?

E-7 is an employee visa — the foreign national works for a Korean company as an employee. D-8 is an investor visa — the foreign national has invested KRW 100M+ to establish or acquire a Korean company and runs it as an owner/executive. E-7 holders receive a salary; D-8 holders are investors who manage their own company.

Can I switch between visa types once I'm in Korea?

Yes, but only through a formal change-of-status application (체류자격 변경) at the immigration office. Common transitions: D-10 → E-7 (found a job), E-7 → F-2-7 (after 3+ years), D-8 → F-2-7 (if points ≥ 80). Working on a visa that doesn't permit employment, or starting a new job before status change approval, constitutes unauthorized employment.

Which visa allows me to teach English in Korea?

E-2 (Conversation Instructor) is the visa for native English teachers at language institutes (학원) and public schools. It requires citizenship from one of the designated English-speaking countries (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland). University-level teaching requires E-1 (Professor). E-7 is also used for some English-related positions in corporate settings.

Which Korea work visa leads to permanent residency most quickly?

F-2-7 (points-based residency) is the fastest route — achievable after 3 years of E-7 if you score 80+ points. F-2-7 then leads to F-5 (permanent residency) after a further 3–5 years. For high-value investors, D-8 with KRW 500M+ investment and 5+ years of operation may qualify for F-5-5 (investor permanent residency) directly.

Do I need to speak Korean for a work visa?

No Korean is required for initial E-7, D-7, D-8, or E-2 visa issuance. However, Korean language ability (TOPIK score) is important for: (1) F-2-7 points calculation (up to 20 points), (2) F-5 permanent residency requirement (TOPIK 3+ recommended), and (3) practical job performance in most Korean companies.

Korea Work Visa Types Compared: E-7, D-7, D-8, E-2, D-10 [2026]

Last updated: 2026-05-09 | Source: 사증·체류민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 (April 14, 2026)

Quick Comparison Table

Visa	For whom	Korean employer needed?	Min. education	Investment required?	Path to F-2-7?
E-7	Skilled workers in 87 designated occupations	Yes	Bachelor's (related) or HS + 5yr exp	No	Yes (3+ yrs)
D-7	Employees transferred from foreign parent company	Yes (Korean affiliate)	Bachelor's	No (company-level)	Yes
D-8	Foreign investors who own/manage a Korean company	No (self-owned company)	No requirement	Yes (KRW 100M+)	Yes (if 80 pts)
E-2	Native English teachers	Yes (school/institute)	Bachelor's any field	No	Yes (3+ yrs)
D-10	Job seekers looking for work in Korea	No	Bachelor's (Korean grad) or interview	No	No (bridge only)

E-7 Specific Activity Visa

The E-7 is Korea's workhorse visa for skilled foreign professionals. It covers 87 occupation categories including IT, engineering, finance, design, research, and specialized manufacturing (E-7-4 points-based).

Who it's for: Foreign nationals hired by Korean companies in a designated occupation
Key requirement: Bachelor's in a related field OR high school + 5 years relevant experience
Salary: Initial = occupation-specific minimum; renewal = previous year GNI (~KRW 50M/year)
Stay period: 1 year initial, renewable up to 3 years per grant
Family: Spouse and minor children eligible for F-3

→ Full guide: E-7 Eligibility & Documents | E-7 Extension

D-7 Intra-Company Transfer Visa

D-7 is for employees of a foreign company who are being transferred to the Korean branch, subsidiary, or affiliate. Unlike E-7, D-7 does not require the employee to prove their occupation falls in a specific code list.

Who it's for: Managers and specialists at a foreign company transferred to Korean entity
Key requirement: Must have worked at the overseas entity for at least 1 year; the two entities must have an ownership relationship (parent-subsidiary, affiliate, branch)
Cannot be used: If you are newly hired directly by a Korean company without prior overseas employment at the parent entity
Stay period: Up to 3 years, renewable

→ Full guide: D-7 Intra-Company Transfer Guide

D-8 Corporate Investor Visa

D-8 is for foreign nationals who invest their own capital to establish or acquire a Korean company and manage it as an owner or executive.

Who it's for: Entrepreneurs, investors, startup founders who own a Korean company
Key requirement: KRW 100 million+ investment, registered as FDI with KOTRA
Advantage: No occupation code restriction; run any legal business
Renewal: Requires evidence of active business (revenue, employees, tax filings)

→ Full guide: D-8 Corporate Investor Visa Guide

E-2 Native Language Teacher Visa

E-2 is the standard visa for native English teachers at Korean language institutes (학원), public schools, and English programs. It is limited to nationals of specific English-speaking countries.

Eligible nationalities: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland
Education: Any bachelor's degree (field not restricted)
Background check: Criminal record certificate from home country required
Medical check: Health certificate required (HIV, drug screening)
Stay period: Typically 1 year per contract, renewable

→ Full guide: E-2 Native Teacher Visa

D-10 Job Seeker Visa

D-10 is not a work visa — it is a job search visa that allows you to stay in Korea legally while looking for employment. You cannot earn income on D-10.

Who it's for: Korean university graduates, overseas graduates with a job interview, current visa holders whose employment ended
Stay period: Up to 6 months, extendable once (max 1 year)
Key restriction: No employment permitted
Transition: Convert to E-7 (or other work visa) once you receive a qualifying job offer

→ Full guide: D-10 Job Seeker Visa Guide

Which Visa Should I Choose?

Your Situation	Recommended Visa
Hired by a Korean company in a technical/professional role	E-7 (if occupation is in the 87 code list)
Transferred from your company's overseas office to its Korean branch	D-7
Investing your own money to start or buy a Korean company	D-8
Native English speaker hired to teach at a Korean school or institute	E-2
Looking for a job in Korea but not yet hired	D-10 (then convert to E-7 once hired)
Already on E-7 for 3+ years, want more flexibility	F-2-7 (points-based residency)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold two work visas at the same time?

No. You can only hold one visa status at a time. If you want to change visa types (e.g., from E-7 to D-8), you must apply for a change-of-status and receive approval before the new activity begins.

What happens if my occupation is not on the E-7 list?

If your occupation is not in the 87 designated codes, E-7 is not available. Alternatives include: D-7 (if your company has a Korean affiliate), D-8 (if you start your own business), or checking whether a closely related code applies. An immigration specialist can review the full code list against your actual role.

Which visa is easiest to get?

There is no single "easiest" visa — it depends on your background and situation. E-2 has relatively clear requirements (citizenship + degree + background check) and is straightforward for qualifying teachers. E-7 requires matching to an occupation code and employer sponsorship, which introduces more variables. D-10 is accessible to Korean university graduates and is a good first step before committing to E-7.

Do any of these visas allow me to bring my family?

Yes. E-7, D-7, D-8, and E-2 visa holders can all sponsor a spouse and minor children for F-3 dependent visas. D-10 holders cannot sponsor dependents because D-10 is a temporary visa without a fixed employer. F-3 dependents may live and study in Korea but cannot work.

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