Useful Info

Key Changes for E-9 Visa Holders: New Establishment of E-7-4R Visa

• Previously, foreigners holding non-professional employment (E-9) stay qualifications were excluded from the targets of regional specialized visas.

• Starting from 2025, a new 'Regional Specialized Skilled Worker Visa (E-7-4R)' system has been established, allowing them to transition to skilled workers.

• This provides a pathway for more foreign workers to settle long-term in local communities.

Requirements for Transition from E-9 Visa to E-7-4R Visa

• Must have stayed in Korea for more than 2 years with non-professional employment (E-9) stay qualifications.

• Must basically meet the point system requirements for existing skilled workers (E-7-4).

• Must satisfy the income requirement of an annual salary of 26 million won or more.

• Must have a employment contract for 2 years or more.

• Must possess Korean language proficiency at level 2 or higher.

Employment and Residence Conditions

• Workers in population-decreasing regions and population-decreasing interest regions will be given preferential treatment by increasing the points for metropolitan local governments during the transition.

• The residence restriction period after obtaining the E-7-4R visa is a total of 3 years.

• However, after 2 years have passed, relocation to another population-decreasing region within the same metropolitan autonomous body is permitted.

• The industries where employment is possible are limited to root industry companies, agriculture, forestry, livestock, and fisheries companies, general manufacturing companies, construction companies, and domestic regular passenger (cargo) transportation businesses.

Long-term Settlement and Accompanying Family Benefits

• If E-7-4R visa holders stay in population-decreasing regions and population-decreasing interest regions for more than 3 years, a new system has been established allowing them to transition one more step to the regional specialized excellent talent (F-2-R) stay qualification within the population-decreasing regions.

• Accompanying family members such as spouses and minor children of E-7-4R visa holders are also allowed to be invited.

• These accompanying family members are permitted to engage in employment activities in simple labor fields only within population-decreasing regions and population-decreasing interest regions.