Specially Designated Activities (E-7) visa
South Korea's main professional work visa for foreigners hired by a Korean public or private organisation in occupations designated by the Minister of Justice. The employer usually obtains a Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance from the Korea Immigration Service, then the applicant collects the visa at a Korean embassy. Annual wage floors are set each year by Ministry of Justice notice.
Life in South Korea
Money
3
Currency
South Korean Won
KRW
South Korean Won
Cost of living
62
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
6–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 10%
Plus local income tax of 10% of national income tax (top combined 49.5%); 45% applies above KRW 1 billion.
Living
1
Happiness
#65 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Professionals, semi-professionals and skilled workers with a Korean employer in a designated occupation.
Eligibility
Contract with a Korean organisation
The applicant must be invited by a public or private organisation in Korea to work in a field designated by the Minister of Justice.
Designated occupation
The job must be one of the occupations designated for E-7 sub-types.
2026 wage floor - professionalE-7-1 professional
Show an annual wage of at least 31.12 million won for an E-7-1 professional job, unless the Minister set a different standard.
From 1 February to 31 December 202631.12 million won
Minimum annual wage (E-7-1) · per year
- A different standard set by the Minister for the occupation can replace this amount
Official wording
Annual wage of at least 31.12 million won applies to E-7-1 from 1 February to 31 December 2026, unless the Minister set a different standard for the occupation.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement2026 wage floor - semi-professional/general skilled
- Document checklistCertificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance / visa issuance number
- FeesVisa fee (example: Embassy in Canada)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 4 more requirements
- 8 documents
- 2 fees
- 7 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in South Korea
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
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Official sources
Other routes to South Korea
- Visit & tourismShort-term tourist visa (C-3-9), with K-ETA for visa-free visitors
- StudyStudent Visa
- Permanent residencePermanent Residence
- FamilyMarriage Migrant (F-6) Visa
- Work permitsJob Seeker Visa
Work permits in other countries
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- Cayman IslandsCayman Islands Work Permit and Temporary Work Permit
- KazakhstanKazakhstan permit for employers to attract foreign labour
- LaosForeign labour quota, work permit and stay permit
- LebanonWork visa (Ministry of Labour approval) and annual work residence permit
- St. LuciaSaint Lucia Work Permit
