E-7 Visa Korea 2026: Specialized Occupation Guide
The E-7 visa (Specialized Occupation) allows foreign professionals to work in Korea in job categories designated by the Minister of Justice (94 categories as of August 2026).
Who Needs an E-7 Visa?
If you are a foreign national employed in a specialized field in Korea, you likely need an E-7 visa. Examples include:
- Engineering: mechanical, electrical, civil, software engineers
- Business: management consultants, financial analysts
- Healthcare: nurses
- Education: university lecturers, teachers at foreign schools (professors and researchers fall under E-1 and E-3)
- Culture/Arts: designers, video game developers
- Interpreters/Translators: translators and interpreters
Key Requirements
Salary Minimum
- Minimum-pay requirements are set by the screening standard for each job category
- Check the screening standard for your specific job category
Education + Experience Combination
Meeting any one of the following is required (general requirements):
- Master's degree or higher in a field related to the job category
- Bachelor's degree in a related field + at least 1 year of experience in the relevant field
- At least 5 years of work experience in a field related to the job category
Special requirements or exemptions apply to certain categories and talent groups.
Employer Requirements
- Must be a legally registered Korean company
- An employment recommendation letter (고용추천서) is mandatory only for job categories whose screening standard requires it (universities, public institutions, and large-company managers are exempt)
- For semi-professional and skilled-worker categories, approval of the Minister of Justice is required
Required Documents
From Employee:
- Passport copy and a photo
- Degree certificates and other qualification documents (documents issued abroad need a Korean or English translation; key documents need consular notarization or an apostille)
- Career certificates from previous employers
- Korean employment contract
From Korean Employer:
- Documents on the employer's establishment (e.g., business registration certificate)
- Employment contract (signed)
- Employment recommendation letter (only where required for the category)
- Tax payment certificates (national and local taxes) and a statement of the reasons for employing a foreigner
E-7 Visa Duration
- Maximum stay per grant: 3 years (5 years for certain groups, e.g., ministry-recommended talent and workers in special zones)
- The actual period is decided by screening
- Separate requirements apply to switching to other statuses such as E-7-4 or F-2-7
How VISAS KOREA Helps
We check your eligibility, identify the correct job category code, prepare all documents, and submit your application.