🇰🇷 South Korea · Work Visa
Work permit categories, eligibility, sponsorship, application steps, and processing times.
Quick answer
Foreign nationals need a work visa matching the job (e.g. E-7 for skilled roles, D-8 for corporate investors, E-9 for non-professional employment); HiKorea is the government immigration portal. Most work visas are employer-linked.
Foreign nationals need an appropriate work visa (e.g. E-7 skilled, D-8 investment) to work in South Korea; HiKorea is the government immigration portal.
- Work visas (E-series, D-8, etc.) match the job and qualifications.
- Most work visas are employer-linked; changing employer may need approval.
- HiKorea handles applications and residence procedures.
Step-by-step
- 1
Match to the right work visa
Match your role to the correct visa — professional categories such as E-1 to E-5, or the E-7 for designated specific occupations; employer sponsorship is required.
- 2
Employer prepares sponsorship documents
The employer prepares the sponsorship and supporting documents; some E-7 occupations have salary and headcount conditions.
- 3
Get a Confirmation of Visa Issuance
The employer can apply for a Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number from Korea Immigration to speed the consular step.
- 4
Apply for the visa at the mission
Apply for the work visa at a Korean embassy or consulate with the confirmation and documents.
- 5
Enter Korea and register
Enter Korea and, if staying over 90 days, complete alien registration at an immigration office via HiKorea to get your Alien Registration Card.
- 6
Renew or change status
Extend the stay before expiry, or change status; long-term residents may pursue permanent residence (F-5).
Checklist
- Correct work visa matched (E-1–E-5, E-7)
- Employer sponsorship documents
- Occupation conditions met (salary/headcount for some E-7)
- Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number (optional)
- Work visa at the mission
- Alien registration via HiKorea → Alien Registration Card
- Stay extension / status change tracked
- PR (F-5) pathway considered
Official authorities
- HiKorea
Government immigration and visa portal.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main Korean work visas?
Common ones are the E-7 (skilled/professional), D-8 (corporate investor) and E-9 (non-professional employment); the right one depends on your role and qualifications.
Can I change employers on a work visa?
Often yes, but many work visas are tied to a sponsoring employer, so changing jobs usually needs immigration approval or a new visa.
Is there a points-based residence option?
Yes — the F-2-7 points-based residence lets qualifying long-term residents accumulate points toward a more flexible status.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Government of Korea — Korea's integrated government portal — policy, administrative services, e-government
- Korea Immigration Service (HiKorea) — Visas, residence status changes, work permits, and alien registration in Korea
- National Tax Service (NTS) — Korean income tax, corporate tax, VAT filing; annual comprehensive tax return for foreigners (May); foreign taxpayer incentive lookup