Basic and occupational eligibility requirements for the E7 visa

The basic qualifications for the E7 visa are the qualifications of the foreigner being hired and the qualifications of the Korean company hiring the foreigner. If you don’t meet the basic qualifications, it doesn’t matter how well you write an employment letter.

Eligibility of foreign nationals to be hired

1. Possess a master’s degree in a field related to the position you’re entering
2. Bachelor’s degree in a field related to the position being filled + 1+ years of experience in the field
3. 5+ years of experience in a field related to the position being filled

*Work experience is only recognized after obtaining a degree or certificate, not part-time jobs or internships while in college. For high-tech fields, internships before graduation are recognized. Work experience in Korea on a working holiday visa is not recognized, nor is work experience on a C-4-5 short-term work visa.

Special qualifications

* Special qualifications are granted by immigration authorities when they recognize a need for employment.

1. 1+ years of professional experience in a Fortune 500 company
2. Graduated from a world-class university (expected) Bachelor’s degree (QS World University Ranking 500)
3. Graduated (or planning to graduate) from a vocational college in South Korea – Work experience requirement waived for major-related employment
4. University graduate (expected) from South Korea – No major, no experience required
5. Graduates of work-study programs (D2-7) are exempt from the National Employment Rate
6. Excellent talents in high-tech and science and technology recommended by KOTRA and SMBA
7. High-tech intern D10-3 visa for more than one year and wages are equal to or greater than the previous year’s GNI
8. Those who are recommended for employment by the ministry and whose annual compensation is at least 1.5 times GNI
9. Highly compensated professional talent – annual compensation of more than 3 times GNI
10. Graduates of the Best Practices Training

Eligibility requirements for Korean recruiters

1. In principle, companies with fewer than 5 Korean employees and mainly domestic business are restricted.
2. As a general rule, limit the percentage of foreigners hired within 20% of Korean employees
   
   1. For most jobs, you can hire 5 or fewer Korean employees if you have a demonstrated need for the position.
   2. There are some jobs that have hiring quotas, such as international salespeople. Verification required.
   3. Depending on where you’re exporting to, you’re allowed to hire additional workers.
3. Minimum wage requirements for foreign labor
   1. Professional workers (E7-1): paid more than 80% of GNI in the previous year
   2. Paraprofessionals (E7-2, E7-3): paid at or above minimum wage
   3. Small businesses, startups, and nonmetropolitan mid-sized businesses exception: 70% or more of GNI
      1. Employee has no work experience in domestic companies or has worked for 3 years or less
      2. Submit Small Business (SMB) Verification / Venture Business Verification / Mid-Sized Business Verification
4. The hiring organization must not be delinquent on any national or local taxes.
5. Small foreign-invested businesses or ventures in the early stages of startup, even if they have not had revenue for 5 years