Key Summary
- From February 1, 2026, the minimum annual salary for E-7-1 Skilled Professional visas is set at KRW 31.12 million — Ministry of Justice Notice No. 2025-406
- Up KRW 2.45 million from the previous year — non-compliance results in rejection of the Certificate of Visa Issuance application
- Employment contracts missing total monthly salary or working hours will be rejected immediately
- MSME employment recommendation expansion creates new pathways to recruit overseas master's and doctoral talent
- Effective period: February 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026
Companies considering hiring foreign skilled professionals must fully understand the updated E-7-1 visa salary requirements that came into force in 2026. According to Ministry of Justice Notice No. 2025-406, the minimum annual salary for the E-7-1 Skilled Professional status has been set at KRW 31.12 million. This standard applies from February 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
This threshold is published annually by the Ministry of Justice and reflects changes in Gross National Income (GNI) and the statutory minimum wage. The 2026 revision — a KRW 2.45 million increase from the 2025 standard of KRW 28.67 million — effectively raises the floor salary for foreign nationals who can be hired under the E-7-1 category. HR managers should immediately verify whether existing foreign hire budgets meet the new standard.
This article explains the specific figures of the 2026 revised salary requirement, how to calculate qualifying wages, employer eligibility conditions, mandatory employment contract contents, the document checklist for visa applications, and details of the expanded employment recommendation program — from an HR practitioner's perspective.
2026 E-7 Visa Salary Requirements by Grade
E-7 Specific Activities visas are divided into four grades based on job level. A year-on-year comparison of salary standards by grade is as follows.
| Visa Grade |
Sample Job Types |
2025 |
2026 |
Change |
| E-7-1 Skilled Professional |
IT development, data analysis, trade, design, R&D, education |
KRW 28.67M/yr |
KRW 31.12M/yr |
+KRW 2.45M |
| E-7-2 Semi-Professional |
Medical coordinator, hotel receptionist, tourism interpreter |
KRW 25.15M/yr |
KRW 25.89M/yr |
+KRW 0.74M |
| E-7-3 General Skilled Worker |
Shipbuilding welder, vessel painter |
KRW 25.15M/yr |
KRW 25.89M/yr |
+KRW 0.74M |
| E-7-4 Experienced Skilled Worker |
Root industry skilled tradespeople |
KRW 26.00M/yr |
KRW 26.00M/yr |
No change |
The notably larger increase for E-7-1 Skilled Professionals (KRW 2.45 million) compared to other grades reflects both the policy direction toward improving working conditions for foreign skilled workers and rising wages in the domestic technology sector. Companies hiring foreign professionals in advanced sectors such as IT, software, semiconductors, and biotech may need to revise their budgets accordingly.
Application Timing Note: Applications submitted on or before January 31, 2026 are subject to the 2025 standard (KRW 28.67 million). If you are preparing documents near the transition date, confirm which notice applies based on the date your application is officially received.
KRW 31.12 Million — Practical Salary Calculation and Contract Drafting
Converted to a monthly figure, KRW 31.12 million per year equals approximately KRW 2.59 million per month. This is a gross (pre-tax) figure. In addition to base salary, regularly paid fixed allowances and bonuses may be counted. However, since the treatment of non-taxable reimbursements such as meal and transportation allowances may vary by immigration office, the safest approach is to ensure the combined total of base salary and fixed allowances meets the threshold.
The key criterion for assessing whether the salary requirement is satisfied is monthly total salary stated in the employment contract x 12 months. If the contract states only a monthly amount without an annualized total, the reviewer will multiply the monthly figure by 12. The monthly figure must therefore be at least KRW 2.59 million.
The common practice of reducing wages during a probationary period requires special attention for E-7-1 hires. If the contract states something like "80% of salary for the first three months of probation," that reduced amount may be used as the benchmark for the salary requirement. It is strongly recommended to draft contracts that guarantee at least KRW 31.12 million per year throughout the entire employment period, including probation.
HR Key Action Point
Salary verification must start at the job posting stage. If the posted salary range is set below the threshold, the visa application will be impossible even after candidate interviews and negotiations. Explicitly stating in the job posting that the salary meets or exceeds E-7-1 standards also helps filter for suitable candidates upfront.
Employer Eligibility Checklist
Beyond the salary requirement, companies must satisfy additional conditions to sponsor E-7-1 visa hires. Failure to meet any single condition makes the Certificate of Visa Issuance application impossible — always conduct a self-check before submitting.
V
Tax compliance: No outstanding national taxes (corporate tax, VAT) or local taxes. Evidenced by Tax Clearance Certificate issued within the past 3 months
V
Korean national employment status: Companies with fewer than 5 Korean national employees that are primarily domestic-market-focused are in principle restricted. Exceptions may apply to small foreign-invested enterprises and venture companies
V
Employment insurance enrollment records: Must be maintained for at least 3 consecutive months. Newly established corporations may only apply at least 3 months after incorporation
V
Occupation code alignment: The business type on the business registration certificate must be relevant to the E-7-1 occupation code requested. Mismatch results in rejection. Confirm against the 87 approved occupation codes in advance
V
Revenue evidence: Business activity proven by financial statements or VAT return records. Startups and foreign-invested companies may be exempt from revenue requirements for up to 5 years
MSME E-7-1 Employment Recommendation Program Expansion — Opportunity for Overseas Talent Recruitment
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSME) is pursuing a reform that expands E-7-1 employment recommendation eligibility from domestic associate/bachelor's degree holders to include outstanding candidates with overseas master's or doctoral degrees. Once fully implemented, this will create a fast-track pathway for domestic SMEs and venture companies to recruit highly qualified foreign technical talent directly from abroad.
The current MSME employment recommendation program covers 24 industry sectors including IT and electronics. Companies that receive an MSME recommendation letter can hire foreign professionals in advanced industries up to 50% of their Korean national workforce, and such letters also carry favorable weight during immigration office reviews, shortening processing times.
The procedure involves applying to the MSME or KOSME in advance, undergoing review of occupation suitability, company qualifications, and the foreign candidate's credentials, then attaching the issued recommendation letter to the immigration application. Check the latest details on eligible occupations and the expansion timeline through official MSME channels and Hi Korea (www.hikorea.go.kr).
E-7-1 Visa Application Document Checklist
The core document requirements for overseas new hires and candidates already in Korea are largely the same. Additional documents may be required depending on occupation, company type, and the foreign national's education and work history.
| Document |
Required? |
Key Notes |
| Integrated Application Form | Required | Use the form provided by the Immigration Office |
| Reason for Employment Letter (활용계획서) | Required | State E-7-1 occupation code, detailed job description, and reason for hire |
| Employment Contract | Required | Must state total monthly salary, working hours, and contract period (min. KRW 31.12M/yr) |
| Copy of Business Registration Certificate | Required | Business type must be relevant to the occupation code requested |
| Corporate Registry Certificate | Required | Issued within the past 3 months |
| Tax Clearance Certificate (national and local) | Required | Proof of full payment; use the most recent copy |
| Revenue/Sales Evidence | Required | Financial statements or VAT return for the past 2 years |
| Employment Insurance Enrollment Records | Required | To verify at least 3 consecutive months of enrollment |
| Foreign National's Degree Certificate and Transcript | Required | Apostille or consular notarization required (varies by country) |
| Career/Employment Certificate | If applicable | Issued by previous employer; notarization may be required |
| Employment Recommendation Letter | Conditional | Required for occupations under MSME or KOTRA recommendation program |
Common Document Errors
1. Missing or unclear monthly salary in the employment contract — immediate rejection
2. Apostille/notarization not completed for degree or career certificates — takes weeks; must be prepared early
3. Expired Tax Clearance Certificate (issued more than 3 months ago) — must be reissued
4. Incorrect occupation code — rejection even with otherwise complete documents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Is KRW 31.12 million gross or net?
A. It is a gross (pre-tax) figure. The review is based on the total compensation stated in the employment contract — the amount before social insurance deductions. The KRW 31.12 million must be the gross contract amount, not the take-home pay.
Q2. Where can I find the occupation code list?
A. The list of 87 approved occupations and their codes is available at Hi Korea (www.hikorea.go.kr) under the E-7 Specific Activities visa guidance section. Since the occupation code is central to drafting the Reason for Employment Letter, always verify it from official sources.
Q3. Does the new standard also apply to renewal applications from existing E-7-1 holders?
A. Yes, renewals submitted on or after February 1, 2026 are subject to the new standard (KRW 31.12 million per year). Companies preparing renewals for current E-7-1 employees should verify whether the employee's salary meets the threshold and arrange salary adjustment discussions beforehand if necessary.
Q4. How long does E-7-1 visa issuance take?
A. Immigration office review typically takes 3-4 weeks. If overseas documents require apostille or consular notarization, allow an additional 2-4 weeks. Begin document preparation at least 2 months before the intended start date.
Q5. Does the salary requirement change every year?
A. Yes, the Ministry of Justice publishes updated E-7 salary requirements each year based on changes in Gross National Income (GNI). The notice for the following year is usually published toward the end of the preceding year, so check for the latest notice each year at the Ministry of Justice Immigration and Foreign Policy Headquarters (www.immigration.go.kr) or Hi Korea.
The 2026 E-7-1 salary requirement increase may represent a short-term cost for employers, but it is ultimately an opportunity to establish a lawful and stable foundation for retaining top-tier talent that drives long-term business competitiveness. Verifying salary compliance at every stage of the hiring process and staying current on policy developments are core responsibilities of any HR professional managing foreign national employees. For any questions about hiring foreign skilled professionals, DODREAM is here to help.
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