2026 E-7 Specific Activities Visa Wage Requirements: A Complete Guide
- Ministry of Justice Notice No. 2025-406 -- applies February 1 to December 31, 2026
- E-7-1 Skilled Professionals: annual minimum KRW 31,120,000 (+KRW 2,450,000 vs. prior year)
- E-7-2 Semi-Professionals & E-7-3 General Skilled Workers: annual minimum KRW 25,890,000
- E-7-4 Skilled Industrial Workers: annual minimum KRW 26,000,000 (unchanged from 2025)
- Failure to meet the standard results in immediate rejection of visa application or renewal
If your company hires foreign professionals, you must be thoroughly familiar with the updated 2026 E-7 visa wage requirements. The Ministry of Justice officially announced these through Notice No. 2025-406. Failure to meet these requirements results not only in the rejection of new visa applications but also in the immediate rejection of renewals for current employees.
The E-7 visa is a work visa issued to foreigners engaged in professional activities in any of 89 designated occupations defined by the Ministry of Justice -- simple labor roles are excluded. Failing to factor in wage requirements during the hiring planning stage can result in the entire recruitment process being invalidated due to a visa rejection. This guide provides the exact 2026 wage figures alongside practical, immediately actionable information for HR professionals.
E-7 Visa: 4 Types and Permitted Occupations
The E-7 Specific Activities Visa is divided into four types based on level of expertise. Since wage requirements and permitted occupations differ by type, you must first identify which type applies to the role you are hiring for. Permitted occupations are designated using the Korean Standard Classification of Occupations (KSCO), and an incorrect occupation code will prevent the visa application from being filed at all.
| Type | Category | No. of Occupations | Representative Occupations |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-7-1 | Skilled Professionals | 67 | IT developers, mechanical engineers, architects, accountants, interpreters/translators, designers |
| E-7-2 | Semi-Professionals | 10 | Tourism interpreters/guides, head chefs & cooks, sports instructors, flight attendants |
| E-7-3 | General Skilled Workers | 9 | Welders, ship painters, aircraft maintenance technicians, specialized vessel operators |
| E-7-4 | Skilled Industrial Workers | 3 | Experienced E-9 workers in manufacturing, agriculture/livestock, and fisheries |
How to Look Up the Occupation Code
E-7 permitted occupations and their classification codes are available on the Ministry of Justice Immigration and Foreign Policy (출입국·외국인정책본부) website at www.immigration.go.kr. Before drafting a job posting, always confirm the occupation code and verify that the role is included in the E-7 permitted list. For newly emerging or hybrid occupations where eligibility may be unclear, contacting the local Immigration Office (출입국·외국인청) in advance is strongly recommended.
2026 Wage Requirements in Detail (Ministry of Justice Notice No. 2025-406)
The 2026 wage requirements are based on total annual gross salary (pre-tax). This includes the base salary plus any fixed monthly allowances (meal allowances, transportation, housing support, etc.). Variable pay such as performance bonuses and overtime compensation is generally excluded, so careful attention is required when drafting employment contracts.
| Visa Type | 2025 Standard | 2026 Standard | Monthly Equivalent | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-7-1 Skilled Professionals | KRW 28,670,000 | KRW 31,120,000 | approx. KRW 2,593,000 | +KRW 2,450,000 |
| E-7-2 Semi-Professionals | KRW 25,150,000 | KRW 25,890,000 | approx. KRW 2,158,000 | +KRW 740,000 |
| E-7-3 General Skilled Workers | KRW 25,150,000 | KRW 25,890,000 | approx. KRW 2,158,000 | +KRW 740,000 |
| E-7-4 Skilled Industrial Workers | KRW 26,000,000 | KRW 26,000,000 | approx. KRW 2,167,000 | Unchanged |
Applications submitted on or before January 31, 2026 are subject to the 2025 standard. The 2026 standard applies to all applications -- new, renewal, and status change -- submitted from February 1, 2026 onward. Since the applicable standard is determined by the submission date, verify which standard applies if a renewal deadline falls around the end of January.
Eligibility Requirements -- Both the Employer and the Foreign Worker Must Qualify
Beyond the wage requirement, the E-7 visa requires both the employer and the foreign worker to each satisfy separate eligibility conditions. If either side fails to meet the requirements, the visa will not be approved. It is critical to verify the requirements for both parties before proceeding with hiring.
Employer Requirements
The number of E-7 visa foreign workers must not exceed 20% of the number of domestically insured Korean employees. For example, a company with 10 Korean employees may hire a maximum of 2 E-7 visa foreign workers. However, some occupations -- including IT and specialized technical fields -- may have separate exemption provisions.
Foreign Worker Eligibility Requirements (Must Meet 1 of 4)
- Hold a master's degree or higher in a field related to the occupation
- Hold a bachelor's degree + at least 1 year of relevant experience
- Have 5 or more years of relevant experience (no educational requirement)
- Be a graduate or expected graduate of a Korean university or junior college
Additional recognized qualifications:
At least 1 year of professional experience at a Fortune Global 500 company, or a bachelor's degree from a globally recognized top university
Step-by-Step E-7 Visa Application Process
E-7 visa applications proceed through two pathways depending on the foreign national's current location and immigration status. When sponsoring a foreign national who is currently abroad, the Certificate of Visa Issuance (CoV) method is used. For foreign nationals already in Korea on a different visa (D-2, D-10, F-4, etc.), the status change method applies. Since both pathways require employer documents to be prepared in advance, the HR team must lead and manage the entire process.
Route A -- Overseas Sponsorship (Certificate of Visa Issuance)
- Employer prepares documents and submits a visa issuance certificate application (to the local Immigration Office or via HiKorea)
- Ministry of Justice review and approval (typically 2–4 weeks; 4–8 weeks during peak seasons)
- Visa issuance certificate number issued and communicated to the prospective foreign hire
- Foreign applicant applies for an E-7 visa at the Korean embassy or consulate in their home country
- Enter Korea after visa issuance → complete alien registration within 90 days of entry (mandatory)
Route B -- In-Country Status Change (from D-2, D-10, F-4, etc.)
- Prepare documents for both the foreign national and the employer
- Submit a status change application via HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) or the local Immigration Office (출입국·외국인청)
- Ministry of Justice review (2–4 weeks; up to 8 weeks during peak seasons)
- Receive updated alien registration card upon approval
There must be sufficient time remaining on the D-10 visa to cover the expected review period (2–8 weeks). It is recommended to begin the application process 2–3 months before the D-10 expiry date once employment is confirmed. For renewals, you may apply up to 4 months before the expiry date; applying at least 1–2 months in advance is recommended.
Complete Required Documents Checklist
Incomplete documentation is the most common reason for visa rejection. Documents issued abroad must be accompanied by an Apostille certification and a notarized Korean translation. Criminal background checks must be issued within 6 months, and corporate registry documents must be issued within 3 months of submission.
| Submitting Party | Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant (Foreign National) | Original passport | Sufficient remaining validity required |
| Integrated application form | Immigration Office form | |
| Degree certificate | Apostille + notarized Korean translation if issued abroad | |
| Employment verification | Issued by previous employer; Apostille required if applicable | |
| Criminal background check | Issued within 6 months; Apostille + notarized translation | |
| TB test certificate | Required only for nationals of high TB-risk countries | |
| Alien registration card (if applicable) | Required for in-country status change applications | |
| Employer (Company) | Letter of employment necessity | Key document -- explains need to hire a foreign national |
| Employment contract | Must state total annual salary (confirming wage requirement is met) | |
| Business registration certificate | Original or government-issued copy | |
| Corporate registry (for corporations) | Issued within 3 months | |
| Tax clearance certificate | Issued by the National Tax Service | |
| Health insurance premium payment confirmation | Issued by the National Health Insurance Service | |
| Employee roster | To verify foreign worker ratio is within 20% |
Practical HR Checklist
If you are hiring foreign professionals for the first time or approaching a renewal for an existing employee, use the checklist below. Incorporating the wage requirements during the salary structure design and employment contract drafting stages is the most important step.
- Confirm the role is included in the 89 E-7 permitted occupations under the correct type (E-7-1 through E-7-4)
- State the 2026 wage requirement for the applicable type in the employment contract
- Review whether the GNI 70% special exception applies if your company is an SME or venture-certified business
- Confirm the foreign worker ratio is within 20% of domestically insured Korean employees
- Pre-verify that the foreign applicant meets the required educational and work experience qualifications
- Prepare Apostille certification and notarized translations for any foreign-issued documents (allow 4–6 weeks)
- Submit the application at least 2 months before the intended start date, accounting for review time (2–8 weeks)
- For renewals: applications accepted up to 4 months before expiry; applying 1–2 months in advance is recommended
- Plan for post-approval compliance, including employment reporting and alien registration updates after any job change
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
E-7 visa wage requirements are the most fundamental threshold in hiring foreign professionals. Building the 2026 standards into your compensation structure at the salary design stage -- and carefully checking the permitted occupation codes, foreign worker ratio, and document validity periods -- will effectively prevent visa rejections and hiring delays. For the latest information, refer to the Ministry of Justice Immigration and Foreign Policy website (www.immigration.go.kr) and HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr).
DODREAM Is Here to Help
From occupation eligibility reviews and employment contract salary design to new applications, renewals, and occupation changes -- DODREAM's expert consultants deliver optimal solutions for your HR team.
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