VISA

D-2

Eligible D-2 Visa Holders

Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, Ph.D , and Research Program Students
Exchange Students
Work-Study Program Students
Visiting Students

※ Detailed Codes by Eligibility Type

Code

Eligible Person

D-2-1

Associate Degree Program

D-2-2

Bachelor’s Degree Program

D-2-3

Master’s Degree Program

Degree
Program

D-2-4

Ph.D. Program

D-2-5

Research Program

D-2-6

Exchange Program Student

D-2-7

D-2-8

Industry-Academia Linked Study Abroad Program

Visiting Program Student

Maximum Authorized Duration of Stay per Issuance

2 years

Application Documents

Mandatory Documents

Visa Issuance (Certificate) Application Form, Copy of Passport, One Passport-Size Photo (taken within the last 6 months)
Copy of the Educational Institution’s Business Registration Certificate (or Certificate of Unique Number Registration)
Official Certificate of Admission (signed by the University President or Dean)
However, government scholarship students invited by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) or the Ministry of National Defense may submit an invitation letter issued by the Director of NIIED or the Minister of National Defense in place of the standard admission letter.
TB Test Certificate – for applicable individuals only
Document Proving Family Relationship (required only if a parent’s financial documents are submitted)
Proof of Final Education

- The verification of final academic documents shall, in principle, be based on the review of original documents. However, copies of degree certificates or verification reports may be accepted if they are certified as true copies by the university official. Academic documents personally requested and issued by the individual will only be accepted if they are within the validity period.

- General Countries

Submit a certificate of academic background authenticated either by an Apostille or by consular authentication (from the Korean embassy/consulate in the country where the issuing school is located or from the embassy/consulate of that country in Korea), according to the method specified in the table below.

Category

Required Documents

Language Training Program (D-4-1)

Certificate of High School Graduation or Higher Education

Admission

as a New Student
(D-2-1 ~ D-2-4)

Associate Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Certificate of High School Graduation

Master’s
Degree

Certificate of Bachelor’s Degree Completion

Ph.D.

Certificate of Master’s Degree Completion

High School Graduation Certificate +
Certificate of Enrollment (or Graduation)
from an Associate/Bachelor’s Degree Program

Transfer Admission
(D-2-1 ~ D-2-4)

Associate Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

➀ Certificate of High School Graduation + Certificate of Enrollment for Bachelor's Program or
➁ Certificate of Bachelor's Degree Completion

Master’s
Degree

Certificate of Bachelor's Degree Completion +
Certificate of Master's Degree Enrollment (or Graduation)

Ph.D.

Certificate of Master's Degree Completion +
Enrollment (or Graduation) Certificate (Ph.D. Program)

Degree

Program

Associate Degree

Certificate of Enrollment in
an Overseas Associate Degree Program

Exchange
Student
(D-2-1 ~ D-2-4)

Bachelor’s Degree

Certificate of Enrollment in
an Overseas Associate Degree Program

Master’s
Degree

Enrollment Certificate (Overseas Master's Program)

Ph.D.

Enrollment Certificate (Overseas Ph.D. Program)

Associate Degree

Certificate of High School Graduation +
Certificate of Enrollment in an Overseas Associate Degree Program

Visiting Student
(D-2-8)

Bachelor’s Degree

Certificate of High School Graduation +
Certificate of Enrollment in an Overseas Associate (or Bachelor's)
Degree Program

Master’s
Degree

Enrollment Certificate (Master’s Program Abroad)

Ph.D.

Ph.D. Enrollment Certificate (Overseas)

Overseas Research Program
(D-2-5)

Certificate of Graduation (Master’s Degree or Above)

D-10

Eligible D-10 Visa Holders

General Job Seeker
(Engaged in job search activities with domestic companies or organizations, including short-term internship programs)
Prospective Tech Entrepreneur
(Participating in startup immigration training programs, filing intellectual property rights such as patents, and preparing to establish a startup company)
Advanced Technology Intern
(Engaged in internship activities in high-tech or advanced technology sectors)

Maximum Authorized Duration of Stay per Issuance

6 months (In the case of Advanced Technology interns (D-10-3), up to one year may be granted per stay. However, the period shall not exceed the internship duration specified in the contract.)

※ Detailed Codes by Eligibility Type

Code

Classification Criteria

Reference

D-10-1

General Job Search

E1 ~ E7 / Transitioned to a Point-Based System in October 2018

D-10-2

Technology Startup Preparation

D-8-4 / Established in April 2014

Advanced Technology Intern

D-10-3

Established in response to the needs of relevant government ministries and industry demand

Requirements for Issuance

A. Eligible Applicants

1) General Job Seeking (D-10-1)

◆

(Applicants Subject to Point System Assessment)
Individuals who hold at least a bachelor's degree (including associate degrees obtained in Korea) and have obtained a total of 60 points or more from the point-based evaluation system, including at least 20 points from the basic items out of a total of 190 points.

(Applicants Except from Point System Assessment)
Individuals who have obtained an associate degree or higher from a regular korean university* within the past three years, and meet one of the following criteria:

Hold TOPIK Level 4 or above
Have completed Level 4 or higher in the KIIP intermediate evaluation
Have been placed in Level 5 or higher in the preliminary evaluation system

* Universities as defined under Article 2 (1)–(4) of the Higher Education Act of Korea

※

Individuals with work experience in professional fields (E-1 to E-7 Visa categories) are not eligible for visa issuance.
In principle, international students must apply for a change of status to a job-seeking (D-10) visa immediately after graduation. Also, those who leave Korea after graduation may still be eligible to apply for the D-10 visa within 1 year from the date of graduation. However, applicants who have previously held a D-10 visa are not recognized as first-time job seekers after graduation (Subject to the point-based system)

※

2) Technology Startup Preparation (D-10-2)

◆

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or higher (including an associate degree obtained in Korea) and meet at least one of the following criteria:

Holds or has filed for a Korean intellectual property right such as a patent, utility model, or design right
Holds intellectual property rights recognized by the OECD
Is currently participating in, or has completed all or part of, the OASIS (Overall Assistance System for Startup Immigration Support) program conducted by the Global Startup Immigration Center, which is jointly designated by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), within the past three years

※ Participants of the K-Startup Grand Challenge are not eligible for visa issuance.

3) Advanced Technology Intern (D-10-3)

◆

Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or higher degree program in a top overseas university (main campus only*) or a graduate who obtained their degree within the past three years, and meet the following age requirements (undergraduate: under 30 years old, master's or higher: under 35 years old)

Both individuals must have signed an internship agreement with a domestic company or institution.
* Overseas universities ranked within the top 200 by the Times Higher Education ranking, universities ranked within the top 500 in the QS World University Rankings

A domestic publicly listed company equipped with a research facility or a dedicated research department in the field of advanced technology
A domestic company operating an affiliated research institute or a dedicated R&D department pursuant to Article 14-2 of the Basic Research Promotion and Technology Development Support Act
A company designated as a high-tech enterprise under Article 9 of the Special Act on the Promotion of Special Research and Development Zones
A venture business certified by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups pursuant to Article 25 of the Special Measures for the Promotion of Venture Businesses Act
National and public research institutes, government-designated specialized research institutions, and government-funded research institutes in the field of science and technology

B. Restricted Applicants

1) General requirements

◆

Individuals who, within the past three years, have violated the Immigration Control Act or related laws and were ordered to depart the country at their own expense, or who have been fined or penalized with a total amount exceeding KRW 2,000,000

Individuals who have stayed in Korea for six months or more under a job-seeking (D-10) status within the past one year

3) Advanced Technology Intern (D-10-3)

◆

When the inviting company or organization is restricted from hiring foreigners either as general job-seeking (D-10-1) interns or under professional visa categories (E-series)

When the company or organization entering into an internship agreement does not meet the eligibility requirements for hosting high-tech interns

When the number of high-tech interns invited exceeds 20% of the number of Korean employees* at the intended host company or organization

* “Korean employees” refers to those who receive at least the statutory minimum wage and have been listed in the employment insurance registry for at least three months.
For venture companies, this employment-based restriction is waived for up to three years from the date of establishment.

Visas Issuable at the Discretion of the Head of Mission

◆

The head of a diplomatic mission abroad may, at their discretion, issue a single-entry D-10 visa for job-seeking purposes with a maximum stay of 6 months.

For nationals of countries that have signed a multiple visa issuance agreement for job-seeking visas, a multiple-entry D-10 visa may be issued with a validity of 2 years and a maximum stay of 6 months per entry.

◆

Visa applications must be submitted to a Korean diplomatic mission located in the applicant’s home country or country of residence.
* The country of residence must be one in which the applicant is residing long-term (e.g., for birth or employment), and temporary stays for purposes such as tourism are not generally accepted.

1. Jurisdiction of Application

2. Application Documents

※

General Notice:
Documents issued overseas must be translated into Korean or English, and must be submitted to the Korean diplomatic mission after obtaining an apostille certification or notarization by the issuing country's government (in the case of OECD intellectual property proof documents).

1-1) General Job Seeking (D-10-1): Subject to the Point-Based System

Common Documents
- Application form, photo, copy of passport, fee, copy of ID card, etc.
Job-Seeking Activity Plan
Academic Credentials
- Graduates of domestic junior colleges or higher: Certificate of Graduation*
* Submission may be waived if the degree can be verified through the Academic Information Management System or the Korea Overseas Study Information System.
- Graduates of top-ranked overseas universities: Certificate of Graduation*
* Submit one of the following: certificate of expected graduation, certificate of graduation, diploma, or degree
certificate.
Proof of Work Experience (if applicable)
- Certificate of employment or career certificate specifying the period, location, and job title (certificate of career/employment)
Proof of Domestic Training Activities (if applicable)
- Certificate issued by the training institution specifying: research institution name, research topic, research period, training program, and participation details.
※ For those who have completed the program: Certificate of Completion
※ For those currently in progress: Certificate of Participation
※ Exchange students: Proof of exchange program issued by the host school
Korean Language Proficiency Certificate (if applicable)
- Valid TOPIK certificate or KIIP pre-evaluation or completion certificate
Letter of Recommendation for Employment (if applicable)
- Recommendation letter issued by the head of a relevant central administrative agency or affiliated authority
- Internal recommendation document from the organization or space authority
*Including academic certificates, proof of experience, recommendation from the organization, or a related certificate of appointment (e.g., international or domestic press coverage on entry or invitation to a Korean university, research institution, etc.)
Proof of Appointment as a High-Income Professional (if applicable)
- Proof of previous year's earned income issued by a public institution of the applicant's home country
Certificate of financial support (accepted only for study abroad-related cases)
Other documents deemed necessary for points-based evaluation

1-2) General Job Seeking (D-10-1): Point-Based System Exemption (Special Eligibility)

Common Documents
- Application form, photo, copy of passport, fee, copy of ID card, etc.
Job-Seeking Activity Plan
Certificate of academic background: Associate degree or higher from a domestic regular college or university (or graduation certificate)
※ Those whose degree was obtained more than 3 years ago are subject to the general point-based system
Valid TOPIK Level 4 score, or intermediate evaluation result from the Social Integration Program, or pre-evaluation score of 81 points or higher - Only applicable to outstanding Korean speakers who graduated from Korean universities
Certificate of financial support (accepted only for study abroad-related cases)

2) Technology Startup Preparation (D-10-2)

Common Documents
- Application form, photo, copy of passport, fee, copy of ID card, etc.
Certificate of academic background: Associate degree or higher from a domestic institution
Technology startup plan
Proof of intellectual property rights (if applicable): patent registration, utility model registration, design registration, or documents proving the application
Certificate of completion or participation in the Startup Immigration Support System (if applicable)
Official document verifying ownership of intellectual property rights in an OECD country (if applicable)
Certificate of financial support (accepted only for study abroad-related cases)

Applicants Eligible for Certificate of Visa Issuance

◆

Participants of Advanced Technology Interns are permitted to obtain a visa only through the Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance. In order to attract outstanding talent, a maximum stay of up to one year may be granted. (However, the duration of stay cannot exceed the internship period specified in the contract.)

1. Documents of Application

Common Documents
- Application form, photo, copy of passport, fee, copy of ID card, etc.
Internship activity plan
Certificate of enrollment or graduation (degree certificate) from a regular academic program at a foreign university ranked within the top 200 in the Times Higher Education ranking or top 500 in the QS World University Rankings,
(only applicable to the field of advanced technology)
※ A certificate of enrollment is acceptable; however, it will not be recognized if more than one year has passed since the date of issuance.
※ Academic credentials are recognized only if officially verified according to the visa (D-2) issuance and stay management guidelines or country-specific authentication procedures.
Internship Employment Contract
※ The internship company and activity must be in the field of advanced technology, and the internship period must be specified.
Inviting company/institution documents:
Business registration certificate (or corporate registration number), certificate of incorporation, copy of employment insurance subscription, list of employees, and research facility documents
Documents proving the institution is eligible to invite Advanced Technology Interns (D-10-3) (only one of the following is required):
- For listed companies: Document showing that the company has previously been unable to secure required personnel from designated research institutes in the field of advanced technology
(if applicable)
- Basic Research Promotion and Technology Development Support Act Article 14-2:
Document verifying designation as an in-house corporate research center or R&D department
(issued by the Korea Industrial Technology Association or similar authority)
- Special Act on Fostering Key R&D Areas Article 9:
Document verifying designation as a high-tech enterprise
(issued by a relevant ministry or designated authority)
- Special Act on Venture Businesses Article 25:
Document verifying the company is certified as a venture business
(confirmation of venture company status)
Certificate of Financial Support (Accepted only for cases related to studying abroad)

[Point-Based Job-Seeking Visa (D-10-1) Scoring Table]

□

Applicants must score at least 60 points in total and must obtain at least 20 points from the "Basic" items (Total possible: 190 points)

Category

Criteria

Points

Notes

20~24

Age

25~29

30~34

35~39

Basic

40~49

Domestic

Associate Degree

Highest level of education

Domestic/International

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Ph.D.

Domestic

International

Employment experience

1~2 year

3~4 year

5~6 year

Over 5 years

Over 7 years

Associate Degree (Within 3 years of graduation)

5(30)

Domestic Study

(in Korea)

Bachelor's Degree (Within 3 years of graduation)

10(30)

Master's Degree (Within 3 years of graduation)

15(30)

Ph.D. (Within 3 years of graduation)

20(30)

Optional

Domestic Training

(in Korea)

Research Student (D-2-5)
Exchange Student (D-2-6)
Training at a Public Institution (D-4-2)
Training at a Private Institution (D-4-6)

12–18 months

Over 19 months

Korean Language Training (D-4-1)

Over 12 months

Level of Korean Language Ability

TOPIK/KIIP

Equivalent to TOPIK Level 5 / KIIP Level 5

Equivalent to TOPIK Level 4 / KIIP Level 4

Equivalent to TOPIK Level 3 / KIIP Level 3

Equivalent to TOPIK Level 2 / KIIP Level 2

➀ Recommendation for Issuance of a Job-Seeking Visa by the Head of a Relevant Central Administrative Agency or a Korean Diplomatic Mission

➁ Graduate of a university ranked within the top 200 (THE) or top 500 (QS)

Additional Points

➂ Applicant with Work Experience at a Global Company

(Ranked in the Fortune Global 500)

➃ Holder of a Science or Engineering Bachelor's Degree (Including Domestic Associate Degree Holders)

➄ Individual with professional career experience earning over USD 50,000 annually

Violation of the Immigration Control Act

(Unit: 10,000 KRW)

Criminal Record / History of Criminal Penalty
(Unit: 10,000 KRW)

Fine ≥ 300

100 ≤ Fine < 300

50 ≤ Fine < 100

Fine ≥ 300

200 ≤ Fine < 300

Fine < 200

-30

-10

-5

-30

-10

-5

Deductions

Based on the total amount of dispositions within five years from the date of application (excluding administrative fines), combined scores from items A and B will be applied (with overlapping calculations permitted).

[Notice] Individuals who have received a penalty notice within three years from the date of application and are restricted from obtaining stay permits in accordance with the Integrated Standards for Stay Permit Restrictions, or who have been fined 3 million KRW or more within the same period, are subject to disqualification.

▶

[Point-Based Job-Seeking Visa (D-10-1) Detailed Evaluation and Scoring Table]

□

Applicants must score at least 60 points in total and must obtain at least 20 points from the "Basic" items (Total possible: 190 points)

A. Basic Items: Minimum 20 points required out of 50

1) Age: maximum 20 points

Category

20 ~ 24

25 ~ 29

30~ 34

35 ~ 39

40 ~ 49

Points

[Reference] Age is calculated based on the international age system.
For example, an applicant who is 49 years old will be awarded 5 points until December 30 of that year.

2) Final Academic Qualification: Max. 30 Points

Domestic

Domestic / Overseas

Category

Associate Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Master's
Degree

Ph.D.

Points

[Reference]

Only degree certificates are accepted. (Graduation certificates, certificates of completion, professional certificates, and similar documents are not recognized.)
Associate degrees obtained overseas are excluded, as educational systems vary by country and the issuance and verification of degrees are often unclear.
Graduates of the Specialist Program at the Korea National University of Arts will be recognized as holding a qualification equivalent to a master's degree.

B. Optional Items: Maximum 70 points

1) Working experience within 10 years: Maximum 15 points

Domestic

Domestic / Overseas

Category

1 ~2 years

3~4 years

Over 5 years

3~4 years

5~6 years

Over 7 years

Points

[Reference] Work experience obtained both domestically and overseas within the past 10 years may be counted cumulatively, but only if it is in a field related to the applicant's degree and acquired after graduation.

→ It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide supporting documents to verify the relevance of their work experience. And also internships or experience obtained during the job-seeking process are not recognized as valid work experience.

2) Study experience in Korea (2 years or more) : Maximum 30 points

Category

Ph.D.

Associate Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Mastor's Degree

Points

Within 3 years after graduation

Over 3 years after graduation

[Reference] If a domestic degree is obtained through less than two years of study under a dual degree program with a foreign university, or through graduation from a cyber university or the Academic Credit Bank System, the study experience in Korea will not be recognized for points under the study-in-Korea category.
However, the degree itself may still be eligible for points under the “Education” section of the Basic Items category.

※ Individuals who have completed the Specialist Program at the Korea National University of Arts will be recognized as having a qualification equivalent to a master's degree.

3) Other training or educational experience in Korea (1 year or more) : Maximum 5 points

Category

University research student
(D-2-5)

Exchange student
(D-2-6)

Training at national or public institutions
(D-4-2)

Language training program
(D-4-1)

Training at recognized private institutions
(D-4-6)

Points

1 to 1.5 years

1 year and 7 months or more

[Reference] Training, education, or academic experience must be verified through certificates issued by universities or institutions that clearly state the duration of the program (e.g., training certificates, transcripts, or proof of completion).

※ If the duration requirement is met, the final academic degree may be counted together with domestic study, education, or training experiences.
(e.g., academic degree + study in Korea + language training + exchange student program)

4) Korean Language Proficiency

Korean Language Proficiency Criteria

Points

Evidence Documents

➀

Completion of Level 5 in the Social Integration Program or a passing score on the Comprehensive Evaluation/
or possession of Korean Language Proficiency Level 5 or higher

Certificate of Completion – Social Integration Program (Korea Immigration Permanent Residency Eligibility Course)
Certificate of Completion – Social Integration Program (Korea Immigration Naturalization Eligibility Course)
Certificate of Passing – Korea Immigration Permanent Residency Aptitude Test (KIPRAT)
Certificate of Passing – Korea Immigration Naturalization Aptitude Test (KINAT)
TOPIK Score Report (including TOPIK IBT Score Report)

➁

Documents corresponding to item ➀ above
Certificate of Education – Social Integration Program (must indicate completion of Level 4 or higher)
Certificate of Passing – Korean Language and Culture Test (KLCT) (including Intermediate Evaluation certificate, if applicable)
Score Report – Social Integration Program Evaluation (must include preliminary evaluation score)

Completion of Level 4 in the Social Integration Program or a passing score on the Intermediate Evaluation, with a Preliminary Evaluation score of 81 or higher / TOPIK Level 4 or above

Documents corresponding to item ➀ or ➁ above
Certificate of Education – Social Integration Program (must indicate completion of Level 3 or higher)
Score Report – Social Integration Program Evaluation (must include preliminary evaluation score)

Completion of Level 3 in the Social Integration Program or a Preliminary Evaluation score of 61 or higher / TOPIK Level 3 or above

➂

➃

Completion of Level 2 in the Social Integration Program or a Preliminary Evaluation score of 41 or higher / TOPIK Level 2 or above

Documents corresponding to item ➀, ➁, or ➂ above
Certificate of Education – Social Integration Program (must indicate completion of Level 2 or higher)
Score Report – Social Integration Program Evaluation (must include preliminary evaluation score)

[Reference] Completion certificates for each stage of the Social Integration Program, as well as certificates of passing the interim and final evaluations, are recognized without an expiration date. However, the preliminary evaluation is valid for two years from the date the results are announced, and the TOPIK certificate is recognized until the expiration date indicated on the certificate (2 years).

C. Additional Points Granted (Cumulative Calculation Allowed): Maximum of 70 Points

1) Recommendation for Issuance of a Job-Seeking Visa by the Head of a Relevant Central Administrative Agency or a Diplomatic Mission Abroad: Up to 20 Points

- If the head of a relevant central administrative agency or an overseas mission verifies that the applicant is a professional in the job-seeking field and recommends visa issuance, up to 20 points may be awarded at discretion.

- The procedure and requirements for issuing a Job Recommendation Letter from the relevant ministry shall apply. However, in this case, as there is no prospective employer, the evaluation of employer-related qualifications is omitted.

2) Work Experience at a Global Company: 20 Points

- Applicants with at least one year of work experience within the past 10 years (as of the application date) at a Fortune Global 500 company within the past three years: 20 Points

3) Graduate of a World-Class University: 20 Points

- Graduate of a foreign university ranked among the Top 200 in the Times Higher Education rankings within the past 3 years

- Graduate of a foreign university ranked within the Top 500 in the QS World University Rankings within the past 3 years

4) Holder of a Bachelor's Degree or Higher in a STEM Field: 5 Points

- Additional points are awarded to holders of domestic associate degrees in STEM fields.
However, holders of foreign associate degrees in STEM fields are excluded, as academic verification is not available.

5) Work Experience in a High-Income Professional Occupation: 5 Points

- Additional points are awarded to foreign nationals whose most recent annual salary exceeded USD 50,000, as verified by income documentation issued by the government of the relevant country.

D. Point Deductions for Legal Violations: Up to 60 Points

- Refer to table 'Point-Based Job-Seeking Visa (D-10-1) Scoring Table'

E-7

Eligible D-10 Visa Holders

Individuals intending to engage in activities specifically designated by the Minister of Justice under a contract with public or private institutions in Korea
Under these guidelines, professional foreign workers must comply with both the joint evaluation criteria and the occupation-specific activity scope as stipulated herein

Maximum Authorized Duration of Stay per Issuance

3 years (Extended to 5 years for outstanding talent recommended by the competent ministry, E-7 visa holders working in Regional Specialized Development Zones or Advanced Medical Complexes, and researchers at medical R&D institutions within Free Economic Zones)

General principles

Foreign workers are classified into professional, semi-professional, general skilled, and highly skilled labor categories based on their level of expertise and substitutability with Korean nationals. Different introduction and management standards are applied to each category to allow for flexible operation.
Professionals with high skill levels and low substitutability, who are expected to significantly contribute to national competitiveness, are supported through simplified visa and residency procedures to encourage their entry and settlement.
For semi-professional, general skilled, and highly skilled workers whose employment may potentially impact domestic job opportunities due to higher substitutability, protective measures such as qualification requirements, wage standards, and employer-specific quotas are implemented to safeguard employment for Korean nationals.

Eligible Applicants and Introduction Criteria, etc.

1. Eligible Applicants pursuant to Article 20, Table 1-2 of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Control Act – Special Activity (E-7)

■

Individuals intending to engage in activities specifically designated by the Minister of Justice under a contract with public or private institutions in Korea.

"Special Activity" refers to work in fields (hereinafter referred to as "designated occupations") that the Minister of Justice has identified as requiring the introduction of foreign professionals with specialized knowledge, skills, or technical abilities in order to strengthen national competitiveness.

* In accordance with Article 16 of the Framework Act on Treatment of Foreigners Residing in the Republic of Korea, the national and local governments shall endeavor to promote the recruitment of foreign professionals with specialized knowledge, skills, or technical abilities by establishing policies and systems necessary to improve their legal status and treatment.

■

(Types of Designated Occupations)
Designated occupations are classified into professional, semi-professional, general skilled, and highly skilled categories, based on the major groups and skill levels defined in the Korean Standard Classification of Occupations.

(Managerial and Professional Occupations)
Among the major groups 1 (Managers) and 2 (Professionals and Related Workers), 67 occupations (at skill levels 3 and 4) designated by the Minister of Justice are included.*

* Includes 15 managerial positions such as senior executives of economic organizations, and 52 professional occupations such as life science specialists and related professionals.

(Semi-Professional Occupations)
Among the major groups 3 (Clerical Support Workers), 4 (Service Workers), and 5 (Sales Workers), 10 occupations (at skill levels 2 and 3) designated by the Minister of Justice are included.*

* Includes 5 clerical occupations such as air transport clerks, and 5 service occupations such as transport service workers.

(General Skilled Occupations)
Among the major groups 6 (Skilled Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Workers), 7 (Craft and Related Trades Workers), and 8 (Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers), 10 occupations (at skill level 2) designated by the Minister of Justice are included.*

* Examples include animal caretakers, aquaculture technicians, and Halal slaughterers, classified under craft and related trade workers.

(Highly Skilled Occupations)
Among the major groups 6 (Skilled Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Workers), 7 (Craft and Related Trades Workers), and 8 (Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers), 3 occupations (at skill level 2) designated by the Minister of Justice are subject to a point-based system.*

* Point-based system applies to skilled workers in fields such as agriculture, livestock, fisheries, manufacturing, and construction.

Updated Code

Classification Criteria

Reference

E-7-1

Professional Workforce

Managers and Professionals (67 Occupations)

E-7-2

Semi-Professional Workforce

Clerical and Service Workers (10 Occupations)

E-7-3

General Skilled Workers

Craft and Related Trades Workers (10 Occupations)

E-7-4

Highly Skilled Workers
(Point-Based System)

Established on Aug. 1, 2017 (3 Occupations)

E-7-9

FTA Independent Expert

T6(Previous Code)

E-7-S

Professionals
under a Negative List System

High-Income Earners and Individuals Engaged (or to Be Engaged)
in High-Tech Industries

2. Selection and Management of Designated Occupations, etc.

■

(Occupation Selection)
Regular or ad-hoc surveys are conducted among central government ministries to identify new occupations in which the introduction of foreign professionals is deemed necessary. The selection is made based on a comprehensive review of factors such as the necessity and expected impact of introducing foreign talent, and the degree of substitutability with domestic workers.

During the demand survey process, input is also gathered regarding educational and economic requirements by occupation, as well as criteria for eligible employers. In cases where prior review is deemed necessary due to potential concerns in immigration and residency management, the results of discussions by the Working Subcommittee for Supporting the Recruitment of Foreign Professionals, under the Foreign Workforce Policy Committee, are taken into consideration.

* Working Subcommittee for Supporting the Recruitment of Foreign Professionals
(Chair: Director General for Future Human Resources Policy, Ministry of Science and ICT; Members: Directors from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Employment and Labor, National Intelligence Service, and Ministry of SMEs and Startups)

■

(Management)
To enable the compilation, analysis, and oversight of statistics such as the status of designated occupations and the number of workers introduced by occupation, each designated occupation is assigned a unique code number.

The code numbers are based on the Korean Standard Classification of Occupations (KSCO) and follow the numeric format of the sub-major (3 digits), minor (4 digits), and unit (5 digits) classifications.
In cases where a new occupation is newly created or separated from an existing one, the new code is assigned by adding the letter “S” in front of the code number of the most similar existing occupation.

■

(Criteria for Allowing Introduction of Similar Occupations)
If the applicant's intended occupation is deemed reasonably similar to an existing designated occupation, employment may be permitted under the most similar occupation category. This is determined through a comprehensive review of factors such as whether the applicant meets the qualification requirements of the similar occupation, the necessity of introducing foreign labor, and the level of substitutability with domestic workers.

For professional occupations falling under Major Groups 1 and 2, permission may be granted at the discretion of the head of the competent authority. For semi-professional, general skilled, and highly skilled occupations falling under Major Groups 3 to 8, approval from the Minister of Justice is required.

3. Eligibility Criteria and Entry Process by Occupation Type

A. Qualification Requirements

■

(General Requirements)
Applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Possession of a master's degree or higher in a field related to the designated occupation
Possession of a bachelor's degree in a related field and at least one year of relevant work experience
(Only post-degree or post-certification experience is recognized; however, for those engaged in advanced technology fields—such as IT, biotechnology, and nanotechnology—internship experience obtained prior to graduation may be accepted as work experience)
* “Advanced Technology” refers to fields designated by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy under Article 5 of the Industrial Development Act
At least five years of work experience in a field related to the designated occupation

■

(Special Requirements for Preferential Consideration)
In cases involving high-potential or exceptional talent—such as individuals recruited under special provisions for attracting and fostering outstanding human resources—or where certain occupations require distinct qualifications due to their specific nature, applicants must meet the corresponding special educational or career requirements.

Professionals with over one year of work experience at a Fortune Global 500 company:
Even if the applicant does not fully meet the standard educational or career requirements for the designated occupation, employment may be permitted if the need for their employment is acknowledged.
Graduates (or expected graduates) with a bachelor's degree from a top-ranked global university*:
If the applicant has not yet fulfilled the one-year work experience requirement in their major field, employment may still be allowed if the necessity of their hiring is recognized.
* Refers to universities ranked in the Top 200 by Times Higher Education or within the Top 500 in the QS World University Rankings.
Graduates (or expected graduates) of domestic junior colleges:
If the applicant seeks employment in a designated occupation related to their major, the one-year work experience requirement may be waived, and employment may be allowed if the need is recognized.
※ This applies only to degrees obtained from universities falling under Subparagraphs 1 to 4 of Article 2 of the Higher Education Act.
(Domestic University Graduates or Expected Graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher):
If the applicant is employed in a permitted occupation, they may be allowed to work regardless of their major field of study, provided the necessity of employment is recognized. For those with a bachelor’s degree or higher, the one-year work experience requirement may be waived.
Graduates with a D-2-7 (Work-Study Linked Program) visa are also exempt from the national employment ratio requirement.
※ This applies only to degrees obtained from universities classified under Subparagraphs 1 to 4 of Article 2 of the Higher Education Act.
(Outstanding Talent in Advanced Science and Technology Fields Recommended by the Competent Ministry):
Due to their eligibility for visa and immigration benefits, such individuals are subject to stricter employment recommendation standards than the general requirements.
(Holders of a D-10-3 Advanced Technology Internship Visa):
Those who have completed at least one year of internship in Korea under a D-10-3 visa in an advanced technology field, and who are employed in the same field with a salary equal to or higher than the previous year’s per capita Gross National Income (GNI), may be exempt from the educational and career requirements when applying for a change in visa status.

Category

Gold Card

Employment
Recommendation
Agency

KOTRA

Year of Implementation

2000

At least 5 years of experience in the relevant field
Bachelor’s degree with at least 1 year of relevant experience
Master’s degree or higher

Eligibility Criteria for Recommended Candidates

*Applicants who have obtained their degrees in Korea are exempt from the work experience requirement in the relevant field.

Recommended Occupations

*KOTRA: Eight fields including IT, Technology Management, Nanotechnology, Digital Electronics, Biotechnology, Transportation and Machinery, New Materials, and Environment & Energy (applicable to both public and private institutions)

(Specific Japanese IT professionals)
Japanese nationals who hold the Software Development Engineer or Fundamental Information Technology Engineer certificates recognized by the Central Academy of Information Technology (CAIT) and the Japan Information Technology Engineers Examination Center (JITEC), under the Japan Information-Technology Promotion Agency, may be granted a Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance regardless of general qualification criteria.
(Ministry-recommended high-caliber professionals with exceptional capabilities)
Applicants whose total annual remuneration is at least 1.5 times the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of the previous year, and who are recommended by the head of the competent central administrative agency (or, in the case of applicants under the Special Act on Designation and Management of Free Economic Zones or the Special Act on Deregulation for Regional Specialized Development Zones, the mayor of a metropolitan city, governor of a province, or the Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province), may be exempted from both academic and work experience requirements for designated professional fields (67 occupations only).*

*In such cases, submission of an Employment Recommendation Letter issued by the head of the competent central administrative agency (or by the head of the local government in accordance with the relevant laws mentioned above) is mandatory. For the initial visa approval, only a one-year period of stay will be granted. Subsequent extensions will be approved based on confirmation of actual income by submitting the Certificate of Income Amount issued by the relevant tax office, in accordance with the standard procedures.
(High-Income Professionals of Exceptional Talent)
Individuals whose annual total remuneration is at least three times the previous year’s per capita Gross National Income (GNI) may be exempt from both academic and work experience requirements, regardless of their occupation. An Employment Recommendation from the competent ministry is not required.
(Graduates of Excellent Private Training Institutions)
Foreign nationals who hold at least an associate degree from overseas and have successfully completed a relevant domestic training course (D-4-6 visa, minimum of 20 months), acquired a nationally recognized qualification in the relevant field, and completed at least Level 4 of the Social Integration Program may be permitted to change their visa status to a relevant professional field (excluding E-7-4 fields).
(Occupation-Specific Skilled Workers such as Chefs, Skilled Workers in Root Industries, and Shipbuilding Welders)
Specific qualification standards are applied depending on the occupation.

B. Implementation Method

■

(General Principle)
Companies may identify and recruit qualified foreign professionals in fields where hiring is necessary. After verifying their qualifications, the company may apply for a visa issuance or change of status. The Ministry of Justice will review any disqualifying factors and determine whether to approve the application.

(Skilled Workers in Root Industries, etc.)
A change of visa status is permitted for holders of non-professional employment visas who meet the eligibility requirements. Additionally, a talent pool may be formed from individuals who have passed a skills assessment conducted by a joint panel of public and private sector experts in the root industry. Selection is permitted within a quota system, following procedures similar to those used for shipbuilding welders.

C. Employment Recommendation Letter

Individual Review Standards
The eligibility for issuance and the responsible government ministries for employment recommendation letters are specified in the review standards for each occupational category (Legal Basis: Article 7, Paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Enforcement Decree).
(Mandatory Requirement)
If the review standards for a particular occupation specify that an employment recommendation letter is mandatory, the letter must be submitted at the time of application.
(Exemptions)
Submission of an employment recommendation letter is not required in the following cases:

- When the applicant is to be employed by a university or public institution

- When a private company seeks to hire an individual qualified as a large enterprise manager

(Electronic Employment Recommendation System)

An electronic system for employment recommendations of foreign professionals is available through the Korea Visa Portal (visa.go.kr).

D. Required Documents and Application Procedure

■

Required Documents
The following documents are also applicable when applying for a change of status of stay or permission for activities outside the current status.

1. Documents to Be Prepared by the Invitee (Foreign National)

A copy of passport
One passport-sized color photo
Employment contract
Documents proving qualifications (e.g., diploma, certificate of employment, license, etc.)

※ Documents issued overseas must be accompanied by a Korean or English translation.
For key documents, consular authentication or an apostille certificate must be submitted.

2. Documents to Be Prepared by the Inviter (Employer)

Establishment-related documents of the employing organization
Documents proving the necessity of hiring a foreign national (e.g.,
Statement of Invitation¹, Employment Recommendation Letter²)
Letter of personal guarantee (required only for applicants in occupations restricted from changing workplaces or filing additional employment reports, as designated by the Minister of Justice)
Certificate of full payment of national taxes
Certificate of local tax payment

¹ The Statement of Invitation must detail the necessity for hiring a foreign worker, plans for their utilization, and the expected benefits.
² The Employment Recommendation Letter is required only for designated occupations, and must be issued by the head of the competent central administrative agency (or the relevant Mayor/Governor if the case falls under the Special Act on Free Economic Zones or Regional Specialized Development Zones).

E. Eligibility Criteria and Evaluation Standards for the Inviter

■

(Eligibility Criteria)
The representative of a company or organization eligible to employ foreign nationals under the E-7 (Special Activity) visa category must not fall under any of the following circumstances:

The applicant must not be subject to restrictions on the issuance of a Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance as stipulated in Article 17-3, Paragraph 2, Items 1 through 7 of the Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Control Act.
The employer must meet the specific requirements designated for each permitted occupation, including the allowable number of foreign employees per company and the minimum wage criteria.
The employer must not have any outstanding tax liabilities (including national and local taxes).

■

(Screening Criteria)
A comprehensive evaluation will be conducted based on whether the applicant is subject to restrictions on the issuance of a Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance, whether the employer meets eligibility requirements and is operating normally, and whether there is any indication of exploiting low-wage labor.

(Startups and Small-Scale Foreign-Invested or Venture Companies)
In the case of small-scale companies engaged in manufacturing, trade, consulting, R&D, etc., that wish to hire professional personnel, employment may be permitted for up to five years from the date of establishment even without sales performance, provided the position falls under one of the 67 approved professional job categories.
(Companies Hiring Skilled Workers)
For companies inviting skilled workers such as sales clerks, chefs, and cooks, the final decision on visa issuance and the appropriate number of foreign employees will be made based on a comprehensive assessment of the employer's eligibility, operational status, and potential use of low-wage labor, in accordance with the screening standards for each job category.

Negative Visa Points Table for High-Tech Industry Sectors

1. Mandatory Criteria

Income: A maximum of 45 points depending on age

Age

Income
(KWR million)

20~29

~35

~39

40≤

≥ KWR 90

KRW 80 ≤ X < KRW 90

KRW 70 ≤ X < KRW 80

KRW 60 ≤ X < KRW 70

KRW 50 ≤ X < KRW 60

1× previous year’s GNI ≤ X < KRW 50

Criteria

□ (For Initial Visa Issuance) Based on the salary stated in the employment contract
□ (For Extension of Stay) Based on the Income Statement (Proof of Income) from the previous year

2. Assessment of Future Contribution Potential

2-1. Age: Up to 20 points

Category

20~29

~35

~39

40≤

Score

Criteria

Based on international age

2-2. Educational Background: Up to 20 points

Category

Ph.D.

Master’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Associate Degree

High-Tech Field(s) /
Two or More

General Field

High-Tech Field(s) /
Two or More

General Field

High-Tech Field(s) /
Two or More

General Field

High-Tech Field(s) /
Two or More

General Field

Score

Criteria

If multiple degrees of the same level (e.g., dual degrees in different fields) are held, the scores may be combined.
However, in the case of multiple degrees of different levels (e.g., bachelor’s and master’s), only the degree with the highest applicable score will be considered.

2-3. Working experience: Up to 25 points

Category

9 ≤ X

7 ≤ X < 9

5 ≤ X < 7

3 ≤ X < 5

1 ≤ X < 3

Score

Criteria

Only work experience in high-tech industries will be recognized.
Work experience acquired prior to obtaining the degree will also be accepted.
Only full-time employment will be considered.

2-4. Korean Language Proficiency: Up to 20 points

Category 1

TOPIK Level 5

TOPIK Level 4

TOPIK Level 3

TOPIK Level 2

Score

KIIP Level 5

KIIP Level 4

KIIP Level 3

KIIP Level 2

Category 2

Score

Criteria

Only the higher score between Item 1 and Item 2 will be counted.

2-5. Study Experience in Korea: Up to 20 points

Category

Ph.D.

Master's Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Associate Degree

Score

Criteria

If multiple degrees have been obtained, only the highest-scoring item will be considered.
Degrees obtained through distance-learning universities will not be recognized as study experience in Korea.

3. Additional points items: Up to 40 points

Category

Score

Graduate of a Prestigious University

Employment Recommendation by KOTRA

Employment by a SME or Venture Company

Additional Points for Research AchievementsA

(Prestigious University)

Graduates from universities ranked within the top 200 by Times Higher Education or within the top 500 by QS (including Korean universities)

(KOTRA Employment Recommendation)

Individuals who have received an employment recommendation from KOTRA

(Additional Points for Employment by SME or Venture Company)

Applicants who are scheduled to work at a small or medium-sized enterprise under the Framework Act on Small and Medium Enterprises or at a venture company under the Venture Business Act
(Employment must be verifiable through an SME Confirmation Certificate or a Venture Business Confirmation Certificate)

(Research Achievements)

Applicants who have published at least one paper in the past five years in SCI, SCIE, SSCI, or A&HCI journals
(Only papers where the applicant is the first author or corresponding author will be considered)

Criteria

□

Residence Management Guide for Skilled Workers (E-7-4 Visa)

1. Number of Selections: 35,000

<Selection Plan by Category for Skilled Workers (E-7-4 Visa)>

(Unit: persons)

Category

Total

Company
Recommendation (Individual Track)

Recommendation by Central Government Ministries

Flexible Allocation Quota

Recommendation
by Local
Governments (17 Provinces and Cities)

MOEL

MOTIE

MAFRA

MOTIE

MOF

MOLIT

MSS

Manufacturing

Root Industry

Agri-Livestock

Shipbuilding

Fisheries & Coastal
Shipping

Construction

Manufacturing

K-point E74

35,000

12,000

3,650

1,900

1,600

600

300

1,650

5,500

6,200

Ratio
(%)

100

■ Quota Type Descriptions

□ Company Recommendation – Individual Track

Applicants who have worked for their current company for over one year and receive a recommendation from the employer may apply without recommendations from central or local governments, as long as they meet the required points for E-7-4 visa conversion.

□ Recommendation Quota

Applicants who have worked at their current company for over one year may apply if they receive a recommendation from either a central government ministry or a local (metropolitan/provincial) government.

Central Government Recommendation: Issued by the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL), Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), or Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT).
Local Government Recommendation: For those who have worked at a company located in the jurisdiction of a local government (17 provinces and cities) for over one year. The applicant must maintain residence in the same local area for at least two years after converting to the E-7-4 visa.

※ Exception: Applicants converted under the non-capital region special quota are required to work and reside in the same company and region for at least three years, regardless of the general 4-year residence requirement.

Flexible Allocation Quota

A separately managed quota for flexible operation in sectors that may require additional allocation in the future.

2. Application date & Method

□ Schedule

Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis.

□ Method

Applications must be submitted online via the Hi Korea e-portal (www.hikorea.go.kr).
Please refer to the “Notices” section on the website for detailed application instructions.

▷ 5-Day Application Rotation System

Application days are designated according to the last digit of the applicant’s year of birth.
For example:

Born in 1990 → Friday

Born in 1993 → Wednesday

Born in 1987 → Tuesday

Available Application Day

MON

TUE

THU

FRI

WED

Last Digit of Birth Year

1, 6

2, 7

3, 8

4, 9

5, 0

□ In-Person Exception

In-person applications are only permitted in exceptional cases, as determined by the local immigration office director, such as:

Elderly applicants

Applicants in remote or isolated areas

Applicants with a large number of attached documents

3. Application Eligibility: Foreign Nationals and Employers

■ Qualifications for Foreign Nationals

A. Basic Requirements (Mandatory): All of the following conditions (➀~➃) must be met.

➀ An applicant must be a currently registered foreign national who has legally resided in Korea for at least 4 years under E-9, E-10, or H-2 status within the past 10 years and is currently employed at their workplace.

At the time of application, the applicant must be legally working and registered as a foreign resident at their current place of employment.
Applicants who have resided in a non-capital region (excluding Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon) for more than 3 years and have received a recommendation from the local government are also eligible.

➁ The applicant must have a confirmed employment contract at their current workplace for a minimum of two years with an annual salary of at least KRW 26 million after the status change to E-7-4.

The employment contract must state that the applicant will continue to work at the same company for at least two years following the E-7-4 visa conversion.
The contract must also specify that the expected annual salary will be no less than KRW 26 million upon the change to E-7-4 status.
※ For applicants working in the agriculture, livestock, fisheries, or coastal shipping sectors, the minimum annual salary requirement is KRW 25 million.

➂ An applicant who has received a recommendation from their current employer, where they have been employed for over one year

<Employer Recommendation System>

□ (Overview)

The representative of a company where the foreign national has been employed for at least one year may issue a recommendation (Attachment 5: Recommendation Form).
→ “Employer Recommendation” is both a mandatory requirement and a scoring item for K-Point E-7-4 visa conversion.

□ (Recommendation Criteria)

Employers may recommend applicants within 20% of the total number of regular employees*.

* Regular employees refer to Korean nationals or foreign workers with valid work visas who have been listed on the Four Major Insurance enrollment records for at least three months.
** When calculating the 20%, round up any decimal values.
Companies currently employing E-9 or E-10 foreign workers are eligible to recommend at least one applicant.

Example: A company with 100 regular employees may recommend up to 20 applicants.

□ (Recommendation Restrictions)

If, after implementation of this system, a company is found to have committed wage delays, assault, or other human rights violations, or is caught illegally employing foreign workers,
→ its recommendation rights will be immediately revoked, and it will be banned from recommending for five years.

➃ Applicants must score at least 200 out of a total of 300 points, including additional points (if any).
However, both the average income and Korean language proficiency under the basic items must score at least 50 points each: Refer to Attachment 1 (Point Table) for details.

- The applicant’s average annual income over the past 2 years must be at least KRW 25 million,
and they must meet one of the following Korean language conditions:
· TOPIK Level 2 or higher
· Completion of KIIP Level 2 (Korean Immigration & Integration Program)
· Assigned to Level 3 or above in the KIIP pre-evaluation (equivalent to 41 points)

* If income verification for the past 2 years is not possible (e.g., due to re-entry gap), the average income from the two highest-earning years between 2019–2023 may be used as a substitute.
** The average income is calculated by dividing the total income from the past two years by 2. For workers in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, or coastal shipping, the income requirement is relaxed to KRW 24 million.

- Temporary Exemption for Korean Language Requirement (until Dec. 31, 2026)

If all other requirements are met except for Korean proficiency, the applicant may be granted a conditional approval, with the understanding that they will supplement their Korean skills within the initial 2-year extension period.

※Failure to meet the Korean language requirement within 2 years will result in:

Ineligibility for family invitation

Stay period limited to 6 months

No further extension and cancellation of stay permit if requirements remain unmet after 6 months

B. Additional Points and Deductions

A. (Additional Points Items)
Additional points are awarded for factors such as recommendation, long-term service at the current workplace, and work experience in population-declining areas.
Points from each category may be combined.

◆ Recommendation

Recommendations are categorized into the following types:

Central Government Recommendation
Local Government (Metropolitan/Provincial) Recommendation*
Employer Recommendation

* Only recommendations from the 17 metropolitan/provincial governments are valid.
Basic local governments (si/gun/gu) must apply through their respective metropolitan/provincial authority.

Employer Recommendation is mandatory as part of the basic eligibility criteria.
Central and local government recommendations are optional, but only one will be counted if both are submitted.

◆ Long-Term Service at Current Workplace

Applicable if the applicant has been continuously employed at the same company for 3 years or more as of the E-7-4 application date.

◆ Work Experience in Population-Declining or Rural Areas

Applicable if the applicant has legally worked for 3 years or more (under any one or combination of E-9, E-10, or H-2 visa statuses) in:

Population-declining regions or
Eup/Myeon rural areas

(Work periods in both types of regions may be combined.)

◆ Possession of a National Certificate

Applicable if the applicant holds at least one Korean national technical certificate in the following categories:

Engineer (기사), Industrial Engineer (산업기사), or Craftsman (기능사)

The certificate must be relevant to the applicant’s current field of employment at the time of application.

◆ Degree from a Korean University

Applicable if the applicant has studied in Korea and obtained an Associate Degree or higher from a Korean institution.

◆ Korean Driver’s License

Applicable only if the applicant holds a Korean driver’s license issued by the Korean National Police Agency,
Class 2 or higher (e.g., Class 2 Regular License or above).

B. Deduction items
Point deductions of up to 50 points may be applied, based only on violations within the past 10 years from the application date: Refer to Attachment 1 (Point Table) for details.

◆ (Fines Under KRW 1 Million)

Applicants who have received criminal fines of less than KRW 1 million may receive up to 20 points deduction, depending on the number of occurrences.

◆ (Restriction of Stay Permit Due to Tax Delinquency)

Applicants with a history of stay permit restrictions due to unpaid taxes may receive up to 15 points deduction, based on the number of violations.

◆ (Violations of the Immigration Control Act)

Applicants who have been administratively penalized for violating the Immigration Control Act three times or fewer may receive up to 15 points deduction, depending on the number of cases.

C. Disqualification Criteria
Applicants will be disqualified if they fall under any of the following conditions.
(Items 1, 3, and 4 apply only to incidents that occurred within the past 10 years from the date of application.)

Individuals who have received a criminal fine of KRW 1 million or more
Individuals with unpaid taxes (application is allowed only after full payment)
Individuals who have violated the Immigration Control Act four times or more
Individuals with a history of overstaying for three months or more
Individuals reasonably deemed likely to harm the interests, public safety, or security of the Republic of Korea
Individuals reasonably deemed likely to disrupt public order, social order, or good morals

■ Employer (Workplace) Requirements

A. Basic Requirements

The business must currently employ at least one foreign worker under any of the following visa statuses:
E-9, E-10, or H-2,
and must be an existing employer under the skilled worker point-based system.
B. Allowed Number of Foreign Workers (Quota)

Foreign workers under the E-7-4 point system may be employed within 30% of the number of Korean nationals employed at the business*.

* Korean national employees must:

Be listed in the employment insurance registry,

Earn at least the minimum wage, and

Be employed for at least 3 months.

Therefore, in principle, businesses must wait at least 3 months after establishment before applying.
- Special Cases (Exceptions):

Businesses located in population-declining areas or in root industries are allowed to hire up to 50% of their Korean workforce as E-7-4 visa holders.

- Exclusions from Foreign Employee Count

Foreign nationals under the following visa types are not counted in the E-7-4 quota calculation:
E-7 (other than E-7-4), E-9, E-10, H-2, F-2, F-4, F-5, F-6

※Minimum Hiring Eligibility

Companies currently employing E-9 or E-10 foreign workers are allowed to hire at least one E-7-4 worker.

In population-declining areas or root industries, they may hire at least two.

→ For construction businesses, the number of E-7-4 workers allowed is calculated as:

0.4 workers per KRW 100 million,
based on either the Construction Capacity Evaluation Amount or the Average Annual Posted Revenue (whichever is higher).
Round up any decimal point.

C. Disqualification:
Companies with records of unpaid national or local taxes will be disqualified.

4. Administrative Matters

□ Permission Details

Only change of visa status is permitted; this does not apply to new visa issuance.

- (Period of Stay Granted)

Up to 2 years may be granted per approval, within the scope of the employment contract.

□ Fee

The standard fee for visa status change will apply (including applicable reductions for online applications via the e-portal).

5. Effective Date

□ Effective Date and Transitional Measures

Effective Date: November 27, 2024 (Wednesday)

□ Transitional Measures
The revised residence management guidelines shall apply to:

Individuals who applied for a change of status before the K-Point E-7-4 implementation date (September 25, 2023), and
Individuals who acquired E-7-4 status after the implementation date and are currently residing in Korea.
→ This includes status changes, extensions of stay, and other related procedures.

[Attachment 1] K-POINT E-7-4 Points Table

Type

Context

Applicant
Qualifications
(➀+➁+➂+➃)

➀ An individual who is currently a registered foreign resident in Korea,
has legally stayed for at least 4 years within the past 10 years under one or more of the following visa types:
E-9, E-10, or H-2,
and is currently employed and working lawfully at their current workplace.

※ Exception:
Applicants who have resided in a non-capital region (outside of Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon) for more than 3 years
and have received a recommendation from a metropolitan/provincial government are also considered eligible.

➁ The applicant must have an E-7-4 employment contract with their current employer
for a period of at least two years,
with an annual salary of KRW 26 million or more.

※ For applicants working in the agriculture, livestock, fisheries, or coastal shipping sectors,
the minimum annual salary requirement is KRW 25 million.

➂ An individual who has received a recommendation from their current employer,
with whom they have been continuously employed for at least one year.
➃ Applicants must score at least 200 out of 300 total points,
including a minimum of 50 points each in both
(A) Average Income and (B) Korean Language Proficiency under the basic criteria.

※Exception
If the applicant meets all other point requirements except for Korean proficiency,
and has a total score of at least 150 points,
a temporary exemption may be granted until December 31, 2026,
on the condition that the applicant improves their Korean proficiency
by the end of the first 2-year extension period.

■ To be eligible for status conversion, the applicant must score at least 200 points out of a total of 300,
including any applicable additional points.
The base score is calculated excluding bonus (additional) points.

Exclusion Criteria

➀ Individuals who have received a criminal fine of KRW 1 million or more
➁ Individuals with unpaid taxes (application is allowed only after full payment)

➂ Individuals who have violated the Immigration Control Act four times or more

➃ Individuals with a history of illegal stay for three months or longer

➄ Individuals reasonably deemed likely to harm the interests, public safety, or security of the Republic of Korea

➅ Individuals reasonably deemed likely to disrupt economic order, social order, or public morals

■ Basic Type

Ⓐ Average income (Average Annual Income Over the Past Two Years) : Up to 120 points

25M ~ 30M

30M ~ 35M

35M ~ 40M

40M ~ 45M

45M ~ 50M

50M ~

Category

Score

110

120

* For those working in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, or coastal shipping, the minimum
annual salary requirement is KRW 24 million.

Ⓑ Korean Language Proficiency: Up to 120 points

Category

TOPIK Level 2 /
KIIP Level 2 /
41 – 60 points

TOPIK Level 3 /
KIIP Level 3 /
61 - 80 points

TOPIK Level 4 /
KIIP Level 4 /
above 81 points

Score

120

→ Applicants may present a TOPIK Level 2, 3, or 4 and above,
completion of KIIP (Korea Immigration and Integration Program) Level 2, 3, or 4 and above,
or a KIIP pre-evaluation score of 41–60 points, 61–80 points, or 81 points and above.

Category

19 ~ 26

27~33

34 ~ 40

41 ~

Score

■ Additional Points

Recommend

➀

➁

central

government

ministry

provincial

government

current

employer

➂
continuous

employment

at current

workplace

for 3+ years

➃

Continuous

working for 3+ years

in population-declining
or rural areas

➄

national

certificate

or Korean

degree

➅

Korean

driver’s

license

Score
Table

Items ➀ through ➅ may be combined for additional points.
However, if both a central government and a local (metropolitan/provincial) government recommendation(➀) are submitted, only one will be recognized.30

■ Deductions

Deduction Item

1 Violation

2 Violation

3 or More Violations

➀ Criminal fine of less than KRW 1 million (up to 20 points)

➁ History of stay permit restriction due to tax delinquency (up to 15 points)

➂ Up to 3 administrative penalties under the Immigration Control Act (incl. fines) (up to 15 points)

The above eligibility requirements and point table items (including scores) are subject to change during the course of implementation.

F-2

Eligible F-2 Visa Holders

□ Eligible Persons for Permanent Residency (F-5) Based on Long-Term Stay Intentions in Korea

The following individuals may be eligible for permanent residency (F-5) status if they intend to reside long-term in Korea:

A. Minor foreign children of Korean nationals, or the spouse and minor children of individuals who already hold permanent residency (F-5) status.

B. Individuals born into a marital relationship with a Korean national (including de facto marriages), as recognized by the Minister of Justice.

C. Individuals who have been granted refugee status.

D. Foreign investors under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act who fall under one of the following categories:

Foreigners who have invested USD 500,000 or more and have resided in Korea continuously for over 3 years under the D-8 (Corporate Investment) visa.
Executives or employees dispatched by a foreign corporation that has invested USD 500,000 or more in a Korea-based foreign-invested company, and who have resided continuously for over 3 years.
Foreigners who have invested USD 300,000 or more and employ at least two Korean nationals.

E. Individuals who previously held F-5 status, and are recognized by the Minister of Justice as needing to remain in Korea due to personal ties or protection of rights, excluding those who were subject to deportation.

F. Individuals (except those holding A-1 to A-3 diplomatic visas) who have resided continuously in Korea for at least 7 years, have established their primary living base in Korea, and are recognized by the Minister of Justice.

※ For those holding E-1 to E-5 (professors to professionals) or E-7 (specific activities) visa types, the minimum required residence period is 5 years.

G. [Deleted]

H. Individuals who have been appointed as public officials under the National Public Officials Act or Local Public Officials Act and are recognized by the Minister of Justice.

I. Individuals who meet the criteria set by the Minister of Justice regarding age, education level, and income.

J. Individuals who have invested in real estate or other assets, as designated by the Minister of Justice in relation to investment region, target, or amount.

K. Individuals recognized by the Minister of Justice as having made special contributions to Korea or contributed to the public interest.

L. The spouse and children of individuals under categories I to K, provided the children meet the conditions prescribed by the Minister of Justice.
M. Individuals who fall under the criteria publicly notified by the Minister of Justice
to support labor supply and the revitalization of regions designated as population-declining areas
under Article 2, Subparagraph 9 of the Special Act on Balanced National Development,
based on industry type, region, residence status, employment status, and the length of stay or employment in the designated areas.

Maximum Authorized Duration of Stay per Issuance

5 years

Eligible Applicants for Certificate of Visa Issuance

1. Outstanding Talent under the Point-Based System (limited to those employed by listed companies or in promising industries) and their spouse and minor children

Eligible Person

- Individuals Employed by Listed Companies

Foreign nationals currently employed by, or who have signed an employment contract with, a company listed on KOSPI or KOSDAQ.
The position must fall under the categories of Managers, Professionals, and Related Workers as defined by the Korean Standard Classification of Occupations (announced by Statistics Korea).

- Individuals Working in Promising Industries

Foreign nationals currently working in, or who have signed an employment contract for employment in, one of the strategic or high-tech industries designated by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (Public Notice No. 2020-40, dated March 31st, 2020).
These include fields such as:
IT, Technology Management, Nanotechnology, Digital Electronics, Biotechnology, Transportation and Machinery, Advanced Materials, Environment, and Energy.
Their income for the previous year (as verified by the Income Certificate) must be at least 1.5 times the Korean per capita GNI.

For those who are not yet employed, the expected annual salary stated in the employment contract will be used in place of actual income.

- Spouse and Minor Children of Outstanding Talent under the Point-Based System

Refers to the legal spouse or minor child of an individual (hereafter referred to as the “primary status holder”) who has been granted a point-based outstanding talent residence status (F-2-7S).

* The primary status holder must have obtained the F-2-7S visa by scoring at least 80 points in the point-based evaluation system. (Note: F-2-7 holders are not eligible for this provision.)

** The spouse must be legally married to the primary status holder and maintain a genuine marital relationship. Common-law marriages are not recognized.

*** The primary status holder must retain parental rights and custody of the minor child.

※ If the sponsor holds F-2-7S visa:
For the first 5 years after status change approval, the spouse and minor child may be granted F-2-71(single-entry, 90 days) without income verification. After 5 years, issuance of F-2-71(single-entry, 90 days) will be allowed only if income requirements are met upon re-evaluation.

Application Method (Certificate of Visa Issuance)

- For individuals employed by a listed company or in a promising industry:
Submit an application in person at the Immigration Office or Branch Office that has jurisdiction over the workplace address,
or apply online via the Korea Visa Portal.
→ Visa Type: F-2-7, single-entry, valid for 90 days

- For the spouse or minor children of a point-based outstanding talent (F-2-7 holder):
Submit an application in person at the Immigration Office or Branch Office that has jurisdiction over the inviter’s place of residence,
or apply online via the Korea Visa Portal.
→ Visa Type: F-2-71, single-entry, valid for 90 days
※If the primary status holder (inviter) does not meet the income requirement (i.e., below the national per capita GNI),
but meets all other approval conditions,
the spouse or minor child may be issued a short-term stay visa (F-1-12, single-entry, 90 days).

Required Documents

A. (For individuals employed by a listed company or in a promising industry)

Application for Certificate of Visa Issuance (Form No. 21),
passport, alien registration card (if the primary status holder is already registered), and one standard passport-size photo
Tuberculosis (TB) test result, in accordance with the guidelines for visa issuance and residence management for foreign nationals with TB
Employment-related documents:
- Employment contract
- Certificate of employment
- Business registration certificate
- Certified copy of corporate registration
- Certificate of income (issued by the tax office)*
- Degree certificate (or certificate of expected graduation), if applicable
* If the applicant is (or is about to be) employed by a KOSPI or KOSDAQ listed company and cannot submit a tax-issued income certificate,
the annual salary stated in the employment contract may be exceptionally used to calculate income.
Point-based score table filled out by the applicant
Supporting documents for each score item entered in the point table
Proof of residence in Korea
Any additional documents requested by the reviewing immigration officer

B. (For Spouse and Minor Children of Outstanding Talent under the Point-Based System)

Application for Certificate of Visa Issuance (Form No. 21),
passport, alien registration card (if the primary status holder is already registered), and one standard passport-size photo
Tuberculosis (TB) test result, in accordance with visa and residence management guidelines for foreign TB patients
Employment-related documents of the primary status holder:

→ If the primary status holder is (or is about to be) employed by a KOSPI or KOSDAQ listed company and cannot submit an income certificate from the tax office,
the annual salary stated in the employment contract may be used exceptionally to calculate income.
- Employment contract
- Certificate of employment
- Business registration certificate
- Certified copy of corporate registration
- Certificate of income (issued by the tax office)*
- Degree certificate (or certificate of expected graduation), if applicable
Proof of family relationship with the primary status holder
(must be legal relationship documents such as marriage certificate or birth certificate)
Point-based score table filled out by the applicant
Supporting documents for each score item entered in the point table
Proof of residence in Korea
Any additional documents requested by the immigration office

※ Note: The head of the Immigration Office or Branch Office may add or omit certain documents at their discretion
to verify the genuineness of the invitation and the qualifications of both the sponsor and the invitee.
Originals must be presented when submitting copies.

* The certificate of income must be issued by the tax office within 2 years prior to the date of application and reflect the most recent year.

F-5

Eligible F-5 Visa Holders

Individuals Eligible for Permanent Residency (F-5),
who do not fall under any disqualification listed in Article 46(1) of the Immigration Act,
and who fall under one of the following categories:

A youth as defined under the Civil Act of Korea,
who has resided in Korea for at least 5 consecutive years under one of the following visa types:
D-7 (Intra-Company Transferee) to E-7 (Specific Activities),
or F-2 (Residence) status as prescribed in Annex 1-2.
The spouse or minor child of a Korean national or a permanent resident (F-5),
who has resided in Korea for 2 years or more,
or a person born in Korea who has applied for stay based on birth in accordance with Article 23 of the Immigration Act,
and whose parent held F-5 permanent residency at the time of birth,
as recognized by the Minister of Justice.
A foreign investor who has invested at least USD 500,000 under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act
and currently employs 5 or more Korean nationals.
An individual who has held F-4 (Overseas Korean) status under Annex 1-2,
and has continuously resided in Korea for at least 2 years,
and is recognized by the Minister of Justice as having a continued need to reside in Korea.
An overseas Korean with foreign nationality as defined in Article 2(2) of the Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans,
who meets the requirements for acquiring Korean nationality under the Nationality Act.
A person who previously held F-2 (Residence) status under the former Presidential Decree No. 17579,
as revised and promulgated on April 18, 2002,
and who is recognized by the Minister of Justice as requiring continued residence in Korea.
Individuals falling under any of the following subcategories, as recognized by the Minister of Justice:
a. Foreign nationals who obtained a doctoral degree abroad in a specific field and are employed by a domestic company at the time of application for F-5 status.
b. Individuals who completed a regular doctoral program at a Korean graduate school and obtained a doctoral degree.
Individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher (in a field designated by the Minister of Justice), or a technical certificate recognized by the Minister of Justice,
and who have resided in Korea for at least 3 years,
and are employed by a domestic company, receiving an annual salary above the threshold set by the Minister of Justice at the time of application.
Individuals with outstanding abilities in specific fields such as science, business, education, culture and arts, or sports, as recognized by the Minister of Justice.
Individuals who are recognized as having made special contributions to the Republic of Korea.
Individuals aged 60 or older who receive a pension from abroad that exceeds the amount set by the Minister of Justice.
H-2 (Visit and Employment) visa holders who satisfy all of the requirements listed under F-2-24, subparagraph (4) 1) to 3),
and who are recognized by the Minister of Justice based on factors such as duration of employment, employment region or industry, labor shortages, and Korean nationals’ employment preferences.
Individuals with F-2 (Residence) status under subparagraph (ja) who have resided in Korea for at least 3 years,
and are recognized as needing continued residence in Korea by the Minister of Justice.
Individuals with F-2 (Residence) status under subparagraph (cha), who have maintained investment for at least 5 years,
and are recognized as needing continued residence, along with their spouse and children (only children meeting specific conditions set by the Minister of Justice are eligible).
Individuals with D-8 (Corporate Investment) status under subparagraph (da),
who have resided in Korea for 3 or more years, attracted investment of at least KRW 300 million,
and employed at least two Korean nationals, and meet the criteria set by the Minister of Justice.
Individuals who have invested at or above the amount designated by the Minister of Justice,
with a commitment to maintain the investment for 5 years, and who meet other requirements as announced.
Individuals with D-8 (Corporate Investment) status under subparagraph (ga),
who have resided in Korea for at least 3 years,
and are essential professional personnel in R&D facilities as defined in Article 25(1)(4) of the Enforcement Decree of the Foreign Investment Promotion Act,
as recognized by the Minister of Justice.
Individuals with F-2 (Residence) status under subparagraph (da),
who have resided in Korea for 2 years or more.

Maximum Authorized Duration of Stay per Issuance

There is no limit for this.

Visas Issuable at the Discretion of the Head of Mission

1. Issuance of Permanent Resident Visa (F-5) for High-Investment Foreign Nationals

A. Eligibility (as prescribed in Subparagraph 3 of Annex 1-3 of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act)

A foreign investor who has invested USD 500,000 or more under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act,
and has employed at least five Korean nationals at the time of applying for permanent residency.

Required Documents

Visa Application Form (Annex Form No. 17),
passport, one standard-size photo, and application fee
A copy of the Certificate of Registration of Foreign-Invested Company
Letter of Guarantee (personal reference form)
A copy of the Business Registration Certificate and the Full Certificate of Corporate Registration
Applicant’s Certificate of Income (issued by the tax office)
and Certificates of Income for five or more Korean employees (also issued by the tax office)
Documents proving regular full-time employment of Korean workers
(e.g., employment contracts, certificate of regular employment, etc.)

2. Issuance of Permanent Resident Visa (F-5) for Individuals with Exceptional Ability in Specific Fields: Requires Approval by the Minister of Justice

A. Eligibility (as prescribed in Subparagraph 9, Annex 1-3 of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act)

Individuals with outstanding abilities in specific fields such as science, business, education, culture and the arts, or sports,
as recognized by the Minister of Justice.

B. Requirement (Exemption from Livelihood Maintenance Requirement)

The applicant must meet at least one requirement from the mandatory items,

and the combined score from both mandatory and optional items must fall under one of the following categories.

Total Score from
Mandatory Items

Total Combined Score
(Mandatory + Optional Items)

Period of Stay in Korea

30 points or more

50 points or more

Acquirable regardless of the period of stay in Korea

20 ~ 29 points

100 points or more

Acquirable regardless of the period of stay in Korea

10 ~ 19 points

100 points or more

Has resided in Korea for at least one year after alien registration

The details and scores for mandatory and optional items are classified as follows.

<Point-Based Evaluation Criteria and Scores for Individuals with Exceptional Ability in Specific Fields>

□ Mandatory Items: Total of 245 points

Single item

Category

Basic Information

Additional Details

Score

Globally
Recognized
Figure
(50)

A globally recognized and highly respected figure
with international reputation and authority in fields such as politics, economics, society, culture, or science.

Former heads of state or Former leaders of international organizations

Recipients of globally recognized awards such as the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, Seoul Peace Prize, or Goethe Prize.

The applicant must have served for five or more years as a full professor or higher in the relevant field
at a recognized four-year university in Korea or abroad.

Internationally Recognized Research Achievement
(30)

Published a paper in SCI, SCIE, SSCI, or A&HCI journals within the past five years.

The applicant must have between three and five years of experience as a full professor or higher
in the relevant field at a recognized four-year university in Korea or abroad.

The applicant must have been employed for five or more years in the relevant field
at a Korean national research institute or a research institution in Korea or abroad recognized as equivalent.

The applicant must have been employed in the relevant field for between three and five years
at a Korean national research institute or a research institution in Korea or abroad recognized as equivalent in stature.

World-renowned sports star
(30)

Athlete or coach with medals in major international competitions

At least a bronze medal in the Olympic Games

at least a bronze medal in the Olympic Games, or in competitions of equivalent level such as the World Championships or the Asian Games.

Teaching

experience at a globally

recognized

university
(30)

Work experience at one of the top 200 universities ranked within the past three years
by globally recognized university ranking institutions such as QS, THE, ARWU, or CWUR.

At least five years of experience as a full professor at the university

Three years or more but less than five years of experience as a full professor at the university

At least three years of experience as a lecturer or higher (excluding full professor) at the university

Employment

history with

a world-renowned corporation

(30)

Work experience at one of the top 500 global companies
selected within the past three years by leading international economic publications such as
UNCTAD, Fortune, Forbes, Business Week, or The Economist.

At least one year of experience at the company in a position of full-time executive director or higher

At least three years of experience at the company as a general manager or senior managerial position

At least seven years of full-time employment at the company

Between five and seven years of full-time employment at the company

Work experience

at a large

corporation

(25)

Work experience at a domestic or foreign company with
more than 300 regular employees in Korea and capital exceeding KRW 8 billion

At least 2 year of experience at the company in a position of full-time executive director or higher

At least 10 years of full-time employment at the company

Between 7 and 10 years of full-time employment at the company

Holder of

intellectual

property rights

(25)

Holder of domestic or international intellectual property rights
(limited to patents, utility models, or design rights)

→Inventors are not eligible

Holder of two or more patents

Holder of one patent

Holder of at least one utility model or design right
and at least one year of experience operating a related business

Holder of

Exceptional

Ability

(25)

Recognized as having exceptional ability in one or more of the following fields: science, business, education, culture and the arts, or sports.

Has received awards or honors at internationally recognized competitions or ceremonies,
or possesses a level of global recognition equivalent to such achievements.

Holds a world record certified by an internationally accredited organization in the relevant field.

Has experience exhibiting works or performing at internationally renowned exhibitions, expos, or performances,
or has served as a member of an official judging panel at such events.

※ If multiple applicable sub-items exist, all may be accumulated; however, in the case of overlapping scores within a single sub-item, only the highest score will be recognized.

□ Optional Items: Total of 205 points

Optional Items

Points by Category

Annual Income
in Korea

(30)

More than 4 times the previous year’s per capita GNI

Between 3 and 4 times the previous year’s per capita GNI

Between 2 and 3 times the previous year’s per capita GNI

Between 1 and 2 times the previous year’s per capita GNI

Assets in Korea

(30)

KRW 1 billion or more

Between

KRW 700 million and less than

KRW 1 billion

Between

KRW 500 million and less than

KRW 700 million

Between

KRW 300 million and less than

KRW 500 million

Ph.D.

Master’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Educational Background

(20)

Basic Knowledge

and Competency

(15)

Completed Level 5 of the Social Integration Program

Passed the Comprehensive Test without attending the Social Integration Program

Completed Level 4 of the Social Integration Program

Completed Level 3 of the Social Integration Program

Employment of Korean nationals

Business management experience

Letter of recommendation

Tax payment record

Bonus Points

(110)

5 ~ 30

Community service

Study experience

in Korea

Work-Study Linked Program in Korea

5, 10

※ If multiple optional items apply, all applicable scores may be combined.
However, if there are overlapping scores within the same optional category, only the highest score will be recognized.
(Bonus point items are excluded from this rule and may be fully combined.)

Annual Income:
Based on the previous year's per capita Gross National Income (GNI) announced by the Bank of Korea.
Only the applicant’s domestic income is counted, as verified by the “Certificate of Income” issued by the tax office.
Income of dependents or family members is excluded.
Assets in Korea:
Includes both movable and immovable assets under the applicant’s name.
Only net assets (excluding liabilities) are counted.
Outstanding debts and credit status will be confirmed through a credit report.
Educational Background:
Includes degrees earned in Korea or abroad. Only already awarded degrees are recognized (degrees in progress are not eligible).
- Domestic degrees: Must be obtained after completing a course at an institution recognized under Article 2 of the Higher Education Act.
- Overseas degrees: Must be obtained from a legally accredited institution equivalent to those recognized under Korean higher education law.
Basic Knowledge and Competency:
Refers to either completion of the Social Integration Program administered by the Ministry of Justice,
or passing the Comprehensive Test without program participation.
Employment of Korean Nationals:
Additional points are awarded based on the number of Korean nationals who are currently employed full-time (standard employment)
for six months or more as of the application date.

Number of

Employed

Korean Nationals

Additional Points for Employment of Korean Nationals

1~5

6~10

11~15

16~20

21~25

26~

Business Management Experience:

The applicant must be a representative who has invested personal capital in a domestic business and has been managing the business for at least three years as of the date of application.

Personal Capital Investment
(KRW)

100 million

600 million
~ 1 billion

1.1 million
~ 1.5 billion

1.6 million
~ 2 billion

2.1 million
~ 2.5 billion

2.6 million ~

Additional Points for Business Management Experience

Letter of Recommendation:
Must be issued by a head of a constitutional institution, minister-level official of a central government agency, member of the National Assembly, or mayor/governor of a metropolitan or provincial government.
※ Final decision on whether to award additional points rests with the Minister of Justice.
Tax Payment Record:
The applicant must have paid an average of at least KRW 4 million per year in income tax during the two years prior to the application year.
※ Example: Whether the application date is January 1, 2022, or December 31, 2022, the period for calculation is from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021. The total tax paid during that period is divided by 2.
Community Service:
Voluntary activities completed within 1 to 3 years prior to the application date will be recognized.
To receive 5 additional points, the applicant must have participated in at least 6 activities per year and accumulated 50 or more total service hours.
However, a maximum of 10 points can be awarded based on total volunteer hours across multiple years.
Only service verified through official platforms such as the
1365 Volunteer Portal or Social Welfare Volunteer Certification System (VMS) will be accepted.
Study in Korea:
The applicant must have studied in a Korean university for four years or more and obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Only education received at institutions eligible for the D-2 (student) visa will be recognized.
This includes institutions defined under Articles 2(1) through 2(4) of the Higher Education Act,
institutions of college level or higher established under special laws (including evening graduate programs),and multi-skilled technical degree programs at Korea Polytechnic University.
Work-Study Linked Program:
The applicant must have successfully completed the relevant degree program at the time of selection.

■ Deductions

➀ Application form, passport, one standard-size photo, and application fee
➁ Letter of guarantee

➂ Supporting documents for applicable point-based evaluation items

D-2→D-10

Student-Trainee

D-2, D-4

→

Job Seeker

D-10

International students acquiring Job-Seeker Status after Graduation

Step 1 (Student-Trainee → Job Seeker)

- (D-10, General Job-Seeking) ➀ From person seeking training or employment in the field of education to become professor (E-1) to Foreign National with Special Abilities (E-7) and have at least a bachelor's degree (including an associate's degree from Korea) by fulfilling score requirements or ➁ in the case of graduates from a domestic university with excellent Korean language ability, score requirements are exempted

* Score requirements are exempted for persons who hold a valid transcript of TOPIK level 4 or higher, have passed the interim evaluation of the Social Integration Program's level 4 or have been assigned to level 5 in the pre-assessment among those who have not exceeded 3 years after obtaining an associate degree or higher

- (D-10, Preparing Tech Start-up) Those preparing a tech start-up, which falls under Foreign Investor (D-8) status with a bachelor's degree or higher (including associate degree from Korea), and who meet the relevant requirements

D-2,D-4→D-8,D-9→F-2→F-5

D-2, D-4

Student-Trainee

D-2, D-4

→

Start-up/Trade

D-8, D-9

→

Resident

F-2

→

Permanent Resident

F-5

Investors in technology startups

International students acquiring Job-Seeker Status after Graduation

Step 1 (Student/Trainee → Tech Start-up/International Trade)

- (D-8, Tech Start-up) Those who have acquired an associate degree or higher in Korea, a bachelor's degree or higher abroad or those recommended by the head of a central administrative agency and who meet the requirements for the point system or requirements to be participant in the K-startup Grand Challenge

* Additional points are given to those who have completed Level 3 or higher of the Social Integration Program (KIIP, Korea Immigration and Integration Program)

- (D-9, Trade Specific) Those who have fulfilled points and requirements according to the trade visa point system

* Additional points are given to those who have completed Level 3 or higher of the Social Integration Program (KIIP, Korea Immigration and Integration Program)

- (D-9, Study Abroad and Trade) A person who has obtained or is expecting a master's degree or higher in Korea and invested more than 100 million won to manage a company in Korea

Step 2 (Start-up·Trade → Resident)

- (F-2, Point-based Foreign Talent) Employees of listed corporations, employees in promising industries, professionals, international student talent or prospective talent who meet the requirements of the point system

* Points are differentiated according to the completion level of the Social Integration Program (KIIP, Korea Immigration and Integration Program), and additional points are given to those who have completed level 5 or higher

- (F-2, Long-term Resident) Those who have stayed in Korea for more than 5 years with D-8 to D-9 status and meet all the relevant requirements such as good conduct and ability to maintain a livelihood.

* Basic Knowledge requirements are met when completing the Social Integration Program (KIIP, Korea Immigration and Integration Program) level 4 or higher or when obtaining at least 81 points in pre-assessment

Step 3 (Resident → Permanent Resident)

- Applicable to those falling under the following categories and who meet the requirements for permanent residency (good conduct, ability to earn a living, basic knowledge) as well as specific requirements for each status of stay

- (F-5, General Permanent Resident) Those who have stayed in Korea for more than 5 years with D-7 to D-10, E-1 to E-7 or F-2 status

- (F-5, Point-based Permanent Resident) Those who have stayed in Korea for more than 3 years as a point-based Resident (F-2) status

- (F-5, Tech Start-up Investor) A person who has stayed in Korea for more than 3 years with foreign investor (D-8) status with an investment of 300 million won or more and employed more than 2 Korean nationals

* In the case of General Permanent Resident and Point-based Permanent Resident, basic knowledge requirements are met when completing level 5 or higher of the Social Integration Program (KIIP, Korea Immigration and Integration Program)

* Requirements of basic knowledge (Social Integration Program, etc.) are exempt for tech start-up investors

→ In the case of tech start-up investors, changing status directly to Permanent Resident from Tech Start-up is allowed if the relevant requirements are met

◇ Scope of Employment

Employment and for-profit activities by international students are prohibited in principle but are allowed only when permission is obtained in advance for part-time work or for activities other than those permitted under the status of stay previously granted

Part-time Employment

(Eligibility) Those with Language Training (D-4) and Visiting Student (D-2) status who have resided at least 6 months since the date of the change or entry into Korea as well as some of those with Student (D-2) status

(Scope of Activities Allowed) Limited to activities such as simple part-time labor at jobs usually performed by students, excluding specialized fields*, and are allowed to the extent where it is possible to study and work together based on the attendance rate, grade point average and status of stay of the latest semester completed

Special permission for specialized fields: interpretation/translation, food service assistant, office assistant,

tour guide assistant, duty-free sales assistant, etc.

Permission is restricted if the type of business is listed as manufacturing or construction on the certificate of business registration, but exceptions can be made for those possessing TOPIK level 4 or higher in the case of manufacturing
Part-time employment is restricted at facilities related to foreign language education for underage students (Kids Cafe, English Camp, etc.)

(Special exception for international students in Work and Study courses (D-2)) Internship activities are allowed in specialized occupations at organizations outside the university and at companies while enrolled at university (One time during the enrollment period for up to 6 months

Activities outside the Status of Stay

Those wanting to engage in activities in a specialized field (Scope of activities under E-1 to E-7 status, etc.) must meet the requirements and obtain permission for activities outside the status of stay previously granted

◇ Inviting Family Members

(F-3, Dependent Family) Those staying for more than 6 months at a domestic university pursuing a bachelor's degree or higher with Student (D-2) status can invite their spouse and underage children as F-3 (Dependent Family) status

※

However, some of those with Student (D-2) and Trainee (D-4) status who have stayed for less than 2 years are restricted from inviting their spouse and children unless there are humanitarian reasons.

Nationals from countries with high rates of overstaying or from countries under intensive management must apply for a visa at a diplomatic abroad, but other nationals (General) are allowed to change their status in Korea

※

(F-1, Parents of Foreign Talent, Investors and International Students) Those staying for more than 6 months at a domestic university pursuing a master's/doctoral degree can invite their parents and/or parents of their spouse as F-1 status. However, proof of financial support during stay must be provided.

※

In principle, it is not possible for the holder of this status to change status in Korea. When applying for a visa at an embassy outside of Korea, you can expedite this process by first obtaining a confirmation of visa issuance from the Korean Immigration office in Korea.

(F-1, Parents of underaged International Students) Only foreign students middle school age and younger (D-4) who pay their own expenses can invite their accompanying parents under F-1 status. However, proof of financial support is required in the case of international students from countries with high rates of overstaying.

* Source: VISA NAVIGATOR(Customized Stay Guide)-HiKorea, 250514_Visa Application Manual by Eligibility Category_E-7 & C-3-6-HiKorea

Gangnam Global Village Center

VISA

D-2

D-10

[Point-Based Job-Seeking Visa (D-10-1) Scoring Table]

[Point-Based Job-Seeking Visa (D-10-1) Detailed Evaluation and Scoring Table]

E-7

Required Documents The following documents are also applicable when applying for a change of status of stay or permission for activities outside the current status.

1. Documents to Be Prepared by the Invitee (Foreign National)

2. Documents to Be Prepared by the Inviter (Employer)

Negative Visa Points Table for High-Tech Industry Sectors

Residence Management Guide for Skilled Workers (E-7-4 Visa)

1. Number of Selections: 35,000

<Selection Plan by Category for Skilled Workers (E-7-4 Visa)>

■ Quota Type Descriptions

□ Company Recommendation – Individual Track

□ Recommendation Quota

Flexible Allocation Quota

2. Application date & Method

□ Schedule

□ Method

▷ 5-Day Application Rotation System

□ In-Person Exception

3. Application Eligibility: Foreign Nationals and Employers

■ Qualifications for Foreign Nationals

➀ An applicant must be a currently registered foreign national who has legally resided in Korea for at least 4 years under E-9, E-10, or H-2 status within the past 10 years and is currently employed at their workplace.

➁ The applicant must have a confirmed employment contract at their current workplace for a minimum of two years with an annual salary of at least KRW 26 million after the status change to E-7-4.

➂ An applicant who has received a recommendation from their current employer, where they have been employed for over one year

<Employer Recommendation System>

□ (Overview)

□ (Recommendation Criteria)

□ (Recommendation Restrictions)

➃ Applicants must score at least 200 out of a total of 300 points, including additional points (if any). However, both the average income and Korean language proficiency under the basic items must score at least 50 points each: Refer to Attachment 1 (Point Table) for details.

- Temporary Exemption for Korean Language Requirement (until Dec. 31, 2026)

◆ Recommendation

◆ Long-Term Service at Current Workplace

◆ Work Experience in Population-Declining or Rural Areas

◆ Possession of a National Certificate

◆ Degree from a Korean University

◆ Korean Driver’s License

◆ (Fines Under KRW 1 Million)

◆ (Restriction of Stay Permit Due to Tax Delinquency)

◆ (Violations of the Immigration Control Act)

■ Employer (Workplace) Requirements

A. Basic Requirements

- Exclusions from Foreign Employee Count

※Minimum Hiring Eligibility

→ For construction businesses, the number of E-7-4 workers allowed is calculated as:

4. Administrative Matters

- (Period of Stay Granted)

□ Fee

5. Effective Date

[Attachment 1] K-POINT E-7-4 Points Table

■ Basic Type

■ Additional Points

■ Deductions

F-2

- Individuals Employed by Listed Companies

- Individuals Working in Promising Industries

Required Documents

F-5

Required Documents

■ Deductions

D-2→D-10

D-2,D-4→D-8,D-9→F-2→F-5

Required Documents
The following documents are also applicable when applying for a change of status of stay or permission for activities outside the current status.

➃ Applicants must score at least 200 out of a total of 300 points, including additional points (if any).
However, both the average income and Korean language proficiency under the basic items must score at least 50 points each: Refer to Attachment 1 (Point Table) for details.