Issuance is restricted if the employing company has past violations of immigration laws or labor standards laws, or if employed workers have entry restrictions or criminal records.

Issuance is restricted if there is a history of national or local tax delinquency.

A system implemented to prevent improper employment aimed at reducing labor costs and to protect domestic job opportunities.

• 1)

  Applicable Visa Types

  

  E-7-1 (Specialized Personnel), E-7-2 (Semi-Specialized Personnel), E-7-3 (General Skilled Workers), E-7-4 (Skilled Workers)

  ※ Certain roles for specialized personnel are subject to separate criteria. ( Detailed Criteria by Role – See More)

• 2)

  Scale of Employing Companies

  

  Companies with fewer than 5 domestic employees and businesses focused primarily on domestic sales are generally restricted. Number of employees" refers to those enrolled in employment insurance for more than three months and receiving wages above the minimum wage. A list of employees enrolled in employment insurance for over three months must be submitted; thus, a company must generally operate for at least three months before applying.

• 3)

  Industry of Employing Companies

  

  Separate criteria are applied depending on industry characteristics, and the relevant criteria must be met. ( Detailed Criteria by Industry – See More)

• 4)

  Employment Ratio

  
  • ①

    Generally, foreign employment is allowed within 20% of the total number of domestic employees.
    (F-2 visa holders are included in employee numbers, while E-9, E-10, H-2, F-2, F-5, and F-6 visa holders are excluded.)

    
  • ②

    Companies employing E-7 foreign workers exceeding 20% of domestic employees are not allowed new employment, replacement hires, status changes, or workplace changes.

    
  • ③

    However, in cases where a recommendation from the relevant ministry exists High-tech industries may employ up to 50% of the total domestic workforce, Excellent export companies targeting special language regions may employ up to 70%. For roles with specific criteria, visa-specific standards apply. ( Detailed Criteria by Role – See More)

    
• 5)

  Minimum Wage Requirements

  
  • ①

    E-7-1 (Professional Occupations), E-7-1-2742 (Online Sales Professionals), and E-7-3-6301 (Aquaculture Technicians) must be paid at least 80% of the national per capita GNI (Approx. KRW 35,240,000 in 2023).
    For SMEs, ventures, and medium-sized enterprises outside metropolitan areas, workers with less than 3 years of domestic experience may be paid 70% of GNI (Approx. KRW 30,840,000 in 2023).

    
  • ②

    E-7-2 (Semi-Specialized Personnel), E-7-3 (General Skilled Workers), and E-7-4 (Skilled Workers) must be paid at least the minimum wage (Approx. KRW 24,730,000 in 2023).

    

• [Wage Requirement Review Criteria]

  
  • ①

    Wage requirements are primarily based on base salary, but standard wages are also exceptionally recognized.

    
  • ②

    Employment contracts must explicitly state monthly base salary and daily/monthly working hours. Both hourly and monthly wages must meet minimum wage standards.

    
  • ③

    Employment is restricted if total monthly wages fall below the minimum wage due to shorter working hours.

    

  · Required Documents : Employment contract, Certificate of income amount from the previous year (issued by the tax office) (Mandatory for extension of employment period and workplace changes)