E-7 Work Visa Issuance for Foreign Nationals in South Korea (2026)
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Justice has issued a public notice on the operation of the E-7 visa for 2026. The notice includes provisions on E-7 wage requirements and issuance quotas, making it an important reference for anyone preparing for an E-7 visa.
A. Professional Employment Visas (Status of Stay)
| Visa | Eligible persons / scope of activities | 2025 quota (actual issuance) | 2026 quota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professor (E-1) | Persons engaged in teaching or research/guidance at higher education institutions, etc. | No separate cap | No separate cap |
| Foreign Language Instructor (E-2) | Persons engaged in teaching foreign language conversation at foreign language institutes, etc. | No separate cap | No separate cap |
| Research (E-3) | Persons engaged in research in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, or arts and physical education, or in the research and development of advanced industrial technology | No separate cap | No separate cap |
| Technology Transfer (E-4) | Persons engaged in providing specialized knowledge or technology in the natural sciences | No separate cap | No separate cap |
| Professional Employment (E-5) | Persons engaged in professional work permitted by law, such as attorneys, certified public accountants, and physicians | No separate cap | No separate cap |
| Arts and Entertainment (E-6) | Persons engaged in artistic, entertainment, or sports activities for profit | No separate cap | No separate cap |
| Specially Designated Activities (E-7) | Persons engaged in fields designated by the Minister of Justice. Subdivided into Professionals (E-7-1), Semi-Professionals (E-7-2), General Skilled Workers (E-7-3), and Skilled Workers under the Points System (E-7-4) | <Introduced in 2024> • Care workers: 400 (15) • Aircraft (parts) manufacturing workers: 300 (98) • Power transmission line workers: 300 (78) | <Newly introduced in 2026 (planned)> • Mold makers <Introduced in 2025> • Auto repair sheet-metal and painting workers: 330 • Auto parts manufacturing workers: 100 • Slaughterhouse workers (skilled): 150 <Introduced in 2024> • Care workers: 400 • Aircraft (parts) manufacturing workers: 300 • Power transmission line workers: 300 |
| Skilled Workers – Points System (E-7-4) | 35,000 | 33,000 |
Figures in parentheses in the 2025 column indicate the number of visas actually issued.
📢 2026 E-7 Work Visa Issuance Plan
(1) E-1 to E-6 Professional Visas: Still No Separate Cap in 2026
The Professor (E-1), Foreign Language Instructor (E-2), Research (E-3), Technology Transfer (E-4), Professional Employment (E-5), and Arts and Entertainment (E-6) visas are statuses of stay for professionals working at higher education institutions and research institutes, in the professions, and in the arts.
As in 2025, these visa types will continue to be issued without a separate cap in 2026. This reflects the government’s policy of steadily expanding the recruitment of highly skilled professionals and aims to stabilize the supply of personnel for universities, research institutes, and the professions.
(2) E-7 Specially Designated Activities Visa: Managed by Occupation, with Adjustments in Some Fields
The E-7 Specially Designated Activities visa is a status of stay granted to foreign nationals working in fields designated by the Minister of Justice. It is divided into Professionals (E-7-1), Semi-Professionals (E-7-2), General Skilled Workers (E-7-3), and Skilled Workers under the Points System (E-7-4).
① E-7-4 Skilled Worker Points System
The quota was 35,000 in 2025 and has been adjusted slightly to 33,000 for 2026.
The Skilled Worker Points System gives foreign workers who meet certain requirements and score thresholds a basis for long-term stay. It is designed to secure a stable workforce for industries facing labor shortages, such as manufacturing.
② New Occupation Planned for 2026
Mold makers are scheduled to be added as a new occupation in 2026.
This occupation will be phased in to reflect labor demand in industry, and the detailed criteria will be finalized in a forthcoming detailed notice.
③ Existing Occupations Maintained
Introduced in 2025
- Auto repair sheet-metal and painting workers: 330
- Auto parts manufacturing workers: 100
- Slaughterhouse workers (skilled): 150
Introduced in 2024
- Care workers: 400
- Aircraft (parts) manufacturing workers: 300
- Power transmission line workers: 300
These occupations were introduced previously and will continue to operate in light of industry demand. Overall, the direction of E-7 visa operations in 2026 can be summarized as follows: highly skilled professional visas remain uncapped, while specific skilled-trade fields are broken down into more detailed occupations and their quotas adjusted to match industry demand.
📢 2026 E-7 Work Visa Wage Requirements
☐ Wage Requirements for the Specially Designated Activities (E-7) Status of Stay
| Category | Wage requirement |
|---|---|
| Professionals (E-7-1) | KRW 31.12 million or more per year |
| Semi-Professionals (E-7-2) | KRW 25.89 million or more per year |
| General Skilled Workers (E-7-3) | KRW 25.89 million or more per year |
| Skilled Workers (E-7-4) | KRW 26.00 million or more per year |
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Justice issued an official notice, pursuant to Article 7(7) of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, setting out the wage requirements applicable to the Specially Designated Activities (E-7) status of stay for 2026. These requirements apply from February 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026 and are applied directly in the review of E-7 Certificates of Visa Issuance and stay permits.
This notice is not merely for reference: it sets out mandatory requirements that must be met in the actual visa review. Both employers and foreign workers preparing for an E-7 work visa should therefore check it carefully. The amounts above are gross (pre-tax) annual salaries and must be clearly stated in the employment contract.
Thank you for reading.
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