The E-7 (Special Activity) visa is a work visa that allows foreign nationals to work in one of 90 professional fields designated by the Ministry of Justice. It excludes simple labor positions and typically applies to those who have graduated from a university or have relevant work experience.
To obtain an E-7 visa, foreign workers must meet certain academic and career requirements. Companies that wish to hire these workers must also satisfy various qualifications, such as a minimum number of Korean employees and wage standards.
In March 2024, the Ministry of Justice announced a temporary relaxation of the minimum wage requirement for E-7 visas until the end of the year. This change allows small and medium-sized enterprises, which have struggled with the high wage requirements, to more easily hire foreign professionals.
The E-7 visa is divided into subcategories based on job types: E-7-1 (Highly Skilled Workers), E-7-2 (Semi-Professional Workers), E-7-3 (General Skilled Workers), E-7-4 (Experienced Skilled Workers). The minimum wage relaxation applies only to E-7-1, the most in-demand category. Previously, wage requirements were based on a percentage of the national GNI depending on company size. Now, the requirement has been changed to a fixed salary regardless of company size.
With the new fixed amount, both employers and employees can clearly understand the requirements without complex calculations.
For other categories (E-7-2 to E-7-4), only slight adjustments have been made, reflecting the increase in the national minimum wage, meaning there is virtually no real change.
Visa Type | 2024 | 2025 |
E-7-1 | KRW 32M–38M (70–80% of 2023 GNI) | KRW 28.67M (Fixed) |
E-7-2 | KRW 24.73M | KRW 25.15M |
E-7-3 | KRW 24.73M | KRW 25.15M |
E-7-4 | KRW 24.73M | KRW 26.00M |
While some may worry that this change could lower wages for foreign workers, it is expected to increase hiring opportunities and offer a wider range of job options due to higher demand from employers.
⚠️ Important Note
For certain occupations, special review standards apply to protect domestic jobs. In such cases, companies must follow different salary requirements than those listed above. If you are preparing to hire foreign workers, be sure to check for any special conditions related to the job category.
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🔗 [E-7 Visa Eligibility for Workers]
