The E-7-4 scoring system skilled worker visa is a system that allows foreign nationals who have been working in Korea for more than four years in E-9 (non-specialty worker), E-10 (seafarer), or H-2 (visitor worker) status visas to stay for a longer period of time if they meet the qualification requirements in areas such as skills.
Immigration status
Eligible applicants for the E-7-4 visa are foreign nationals who are lawfully present in the country with an E-9 (non-specialty worker), E-10 (seafarer), or H-2 (visitor) status visa.
Length of service
You must have been actively workingin the country for atleast 4 years within the last 10 years. (Effective 6.25.23, the requirement changedfrom 5+ years to 4+years).
* Criminal offenders (fines of 500,000 won or more), tax delinquents (taxes can be paid in full), and those who have violated the Immigration Control Act 4 times or more are not eligible to apply.
At the time of the government’s announcement in January 2023, the number of selections was 5,000 (2,500 regular and 2,500 ad hoc), but the number of regular selections increased by more than 1,125 in the June announcement, and is expected to increase to more than 30,000 in total, including selections in the later stages (3rd and 4th quarters).
â-Ž Scheduled departures | â-º Rolling selection | ||||||
High Scores (close) | Employer of Record / / / / Job Creation AwardsJob Creation Awards | Department recommendations | |||||
Manufacturing | Root Industries | Agriculture | Fishing | Shipbuilding | |||
3,625人 + a | 200 people | 150 people | 650 people | 400 people | 400 people | 300 people | 400 people |
â-Ž Scheduled departures
- This is a way to select a set number of people for a set period of time each quarter, four times a year.
- We select 625 students per quarter, for a total of 2,500 students in ’23.
- We selected 625 people in Q1 andwill expandto 3,000 peoplein Q2 .
- The process is as follows: announcement (Hi-Korea website) → application within the period → screening → result announcement (Hi-Korea).
− Rolling selection
- This is a rolling selection method throughout the year (Jan. 1. to Dec. 31).
- A total of 2,500 people are selected through high scorers, companies that have been recognized for outstanding job creation and job creation support, and recommendations from the central government.
- The process is a year-round process of individual application → review → individual notification of approval or denial.
- The high-scoring selection(200)is closed(announced on Feb. 9, 23)
Scheduled departures
Branching | Selection Schedule | Starters | Final announcement |
Q1 | Application Period : March 20, 2023 (Mon) ~ March 24, 2023 (Fri) | 625 people | 04.17. |
1st announcement: April 4, 2023 (Tuesday) | |||
Appeals: 04.04.2023(Tue) ~ 04.11.2023(Tue) | |||
Q2 | Application Period : June 12, 2023 (Mon) ~ June 15, 2023 (Thu) | 3,000 people | 07.28. |
Additional application period: June 27, 2023 (Tue) ~ July 5, 2023 (Wed) | |||
1st announcement: July 17, 2023 (Mon) | |||
Appeals: July 17, 2023 (Mon.) ~ July 21, 2023 (Fri.) | |||
Q3 | Coming Soon | Coming Soon | Coming Soon |
Q4 | Coming Soon | Coming Soon | Coming Soon |
* One of the highlights of the Ministry of Justice’s announcement (6.25.23) was the announcement that the second round of selections will be 3,000, an increase from 625 to 2,375. The application period is also open for additional applications from Tuesday, June 27, 2023 to Wednesday, July 5, 2023. The original initial announcement, appeal, and final announcement dates have been postponed.
Rolling selection
- You can apply at any time throughout the year.
- Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and will close when all spots are filled for each type of program.
How to apply
- You will need to go in person to your local immigration and aliens office and submit your documents.
- You don’t need an appointment to apply.
Regular selection
– Applicants will be selected in order of highest score and must meet one of the following requirements
- Those with an “Annual Income” score of 10 or more in the Industry Contribution Value category and a total score of 52 or more.
- Those with a combined Future Value score of 35 or higher, and a total score of 72 or higher.
Rolling selection
is. High Scoring Quarters
– You must meet one of the requirements below
- Industry Contribution Value If your annual income score is 10More than a dotand, If the total score is 70More than a dotArguments
- If your Future Value Score is 35More than a dotand, If the total score is 72More than a dotArguments
我. Job Creation Enterprise and Job Creation Incentive Company Quota
– You must meet the minimum score for regular selection.
– Employer of Choice
- 10 or more employees who are nationals for 3 months or more as of the date of application
- Companies with an average increase of at least 5% in domestic workers (nationals earning at least the minimum wage and enrolled in employment insurance for at least three months) compared to the two years immediately preceding the date of application
– Job Creation Recognition
- Individuals or private companies that have received awards for job creation support organized by the Ministry of Employment and Labor within two years (awards: medals, packages, presidential citation, ministerial citation)
- For individual recognition, your organization can apply.
多. Department referral quotas
– You must meet the minimum score for regular selection.
- Manufacturing industry is recommended by the Ministry of Employment and Labor
- Root industry is a company that has been recommended by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (National Root Industry Promotion Center) as a root industry.
- Agriculture is recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food
- Fisheries are recommended by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries
You can earn a total of 224 points for the required (up to 95 points) and optional (up to 129 points), with a maximum of 50 points deducted if you’re eligible for a negative item.
Base score requirement: 224 total points with any of the following Those with an Industry Contribution Value ‘Annual Income Score’ of 10 points or more and a total score of 52 points or more Those with a combined Future Contribution Value score of 35 or higher, with a total score of 72 or higher. |
Default items: Up to 95Dot
is. Industry Contribution Value
Annual income: up to 20 points
division | Over $33 million | Over $3,000 | 26 million KRW or more |
points | 20 | 15 | 10 |
* Only if you have an annual income of 26 million won or more for each of the last two years as of the date of application (based on the income amount certificate issued by the tax office), and points are awarded by calculating the average amount of the two years as income.
我. Future contribution value
◆ Proficiency : Max. 20Dot
division | Have a credential Ⓐ | Passed the skills exam Ⓑ | ||
Articles | Industry Articles | Functionals | ||
points | 20 | 15 | 10 | 10 |
No double counting between items (only one highest score can be counted)
Ⓐ Domestic qualifications directly related to the field in which you are working on the date of application, including technical qualifications in the “Technical Functional Field” in Appendix 2 of the Enforcement Rules of the National Technical Qualifications Act and other qualifications separately recognized by the Minister of Justice (currently, only STCW qualifications are recognized)
Ⓑ Refers to a skills test conducted by an organization designated by the Minister of Justice (National Root Industry Promotion Center)
◆ Education : Up to 10Dots
division | Bachelor | Bachelor’s degree | High School Diploma |
points | 10 | 10 | 5 |
No double counting between items (only one highest score can be counted)
* Acquisition location can be domestic or overseas, but only for regular courses
Age age : Up to 20Dot
division | ~ to 24 years old | ~ 27 years old | ~ 30 years old | ~33 years old | ~36 years old | ~39 years old |
points | 20 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 5 |
Calculated by age (calculated by adding birth date)
◆ ◆ Korean Language Proficiency : Up to 25Dot
Topics (TOPIK) | |||
Level 5/5 and above | Level 4/4 and above | Tier 3/3 and above | Level 2/Tier 2 and above |
20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
Social Integration Program (KIIP) | |||
Level 5/5 and above | Level 4/4 and above | Tier 3/3 and above | Level 2/Tier 2 and above |
25 | 20 | 15 | 10 |
Official score sheets for TOPIK (only those within the validity period) and official certificates or step-by-step confirmations for KIIP (not acceptable for pre-assessment assignments)
Selections κΈ°λ¦Ό : 129Dot
◆ Length of service : Depending on your tenure with the same company, you can earn up to 10Points
1 point is awarded for reporting employment to the Ministry of Justice for more than one year, 2 points for more than two years, and no complaint documents are submitted separately.
◆ Holdings : Up to 35Dots
division | Domestic CDs of 2 years or more Ⓐ | Domestic Assets Ⓑ | ||||||
100 million Over | 80 million won Over | 60 million won Over | 40 million won Over | 20 million Over | 100 million Over | 80 million won Over | 50 million Over | |
points | 15 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 20 | 15 | 10 |
* Double counting between Ⓐ and Ⓑ is possible, but in this case, Ⓑ will only count the amount of Ⓐ less the amount of Ⓐ.
* Ⓐ refers to monthly savings and is only recognized if the monthly savings is 800,000 won or more.
* Ⓑ is only for self-owned real estate (land/home/building) that has been held for more than one year as of the date of application.
Both Ⓐ and Ⓑ will be accepted only if the applicant has demonstrated that they are his or her own net worth.
Work experience in related fields in Korea within the last 10 years : Up to 20points
division | RootsIndustry Sector and 農-.Animal husbandry-.Fishing-.Shipbuilding-.Endocrine Fields Ⓐ | General manufacturing and construction Ⓑ | ||||
8+ years | 6+ years | 4 years or more | 8+ years | 6+ years | 4 years or more | |
points | 20 | 15 | 10 | 20 | 10 | 5 |
Overlap between items is possible (only one highest score can be counted)
* Ⓐ Scores must be in the root industry, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, shipbuilding, and inland navigation for at least one year as of the date of application.
Recognize only those who are on duty and have worked in that department
◆ Domestic education or training in related occupation : Max. 10Points
division | In-country training experience Ⓐ | In-country training experience Ⓑ | ||
Earn a bachelor’s degree | Earn an associate’s degree | 1 year or more | 6 months to less than 1 year | |
points | 10 | 8 | 5 | 3 |
Overlap between items is possible (only one highest score can be counted)
Ⓐ is only for those who have studied full-time at a domestic university and earned a bachelor’s degree or higher in a profession related to their field.
Ⓑ is only recognized for training related to the job at a private institution in Korea (D-4-6)
◆ Extra points : Maximum 54Dots
division | Study abroad experience in Korea Ⓐ | Related Central Office Recommendations Ⓑ | Social integration Programs Completion Ⓒ | Town, city, and county Ⓓ Work experience | |||||||
Master Over | Bachelor below | Professional Bachelor | 4 years or more | 3 years or more | 2 years or more | ||||||
points | 10 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 7 | 5 | |||
division | Social contribution Ⓔ | Taxable Income (Over $300,000) Ⓕ | Participate in COVID-19-related seasonal work Ⓖ | ||||||||
Markers | Community service | 1 month | 2 months | 3 months | |||||||
points | 5 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||||
division | Work experience in a depopulated area Ⓗ | ||||||||||
4 years or more | 3 years or more | 2 years or more | |||||||||
points | 5 | 3 | 2 | ||||||||
Duplicate calculations between items are possible
Ⓐ If you have studied abroad at a domestic university for at least two years and earned a bachelor’s degree or higher, you can overlap with the ‘Possession of a degree’ and ‘Education’ items above (regardless of your major).
Ⓑ Only centralized employment recommendations related to the field of work as of the date of application will be accepted, and centralized chapters may recommend on a sliding scale of up to 10 points.
Ⓒ Completion of the 5th stage of the Social Integration Program, with points awarded in addition to the G-2-4 score.
Ⓓ Town and region criteria: Workplace must be located in a metropolitan city or larger with a population of 200,000 or more and in towns and cities nationwide, excluding Gyeonggi province. Ⓓ Fishing crews and inland navigation crews are calculated based on their experience on board, regardless of region.
Ⓔ(Medals, awards, andcommendations) Only those awarded by a country or local government (2 points per case, maximum 5 points);(Volunteer service) Domestic social service for at least 1 year and 200 hours (demonstrating community contributions through public volunteer service – determined by the head of the office and branch manager): Cannot be combined (only one can be applied)
Ⓕ Your most recent full year of income tax payments as of the date of application
Ⓖ If you were in non-professional employment (E-9) and participated in a seasonal work project after August 21, 2020, after the expiration of your period of stay, you will be granted points based on the duration (participation will be determined based on your work record in the computerized system, not on separate documents).
Ⓗ Only if you have been employed at a workplace located in a Ministry of the Interior-designated depopulated area for at least one year as of the date of application and have at least two years of work experience (may stack with work experience credit for rural areas)
Deduction Items : Maximum 50Points
division | Immigration law violations Ⓐ | Violation of other national laws Ⓑ | ||||
1 time | More than once | 3 or more times | 1 time | More than once | 3 or more times | |
points | 5 | 10 | 50 | 5 | 10 | 50 |
Applies a summed (ⓐ+ⓑ) score across items.
Ⓐ Count only the number of violations within 10 years of the date of application, including all confirmed violations regardless of punishment (including disposition exemptions and penalties), and limit the number of violations to 4 or more.
Ⓑ Only count violations within 10 years, but only if the competent office decides to grant a stay.
Industries, Number of people per company
○(Common) Only skilled trades workers (E-7-4) are counted in the calculation of the employment allowance (holders of other work visas (including other E-7 occupations) are not considered separately), and decimal places are rounded up. ○(General manufacturing) Employmentwithin 20% of the national workforce – However, manufacturers in nonmetropolitan areas may employ nomorethan 30% of the national workforce. ○(Construction) Employment within the annual average construction amount × 0.1(0.1 employmentper 100 million , rounded down) * (Example) A company with an average annual construction value of 10 billion won: 100(billion) × 0.1 = 10 employees ○(Root andconcentratedfisheries) Employmentwithin 30% of the national workforce. However, businesses with 4 or fewer employees can employ 2 people. |
<See>, except that businesses currently employing E-9 and E-10 foreign workers are allowed to hire at least one
☞ Previously ,onlyup to eightskilled workers could be employedregardless of the size of the business , but after the change)’23. 6.25.) can be employed within 20% of the national workforce, and non-metropolitan areas and root and concentrated fisheries can be employed within 30% of the national workforce.
- If you’re moving to a new workplace, you’re restricted from applying for three months.
- If you make false statements, you may be penalized and subject to criminal penalties.
- If a business has a history of nonpayment, they may be excluded from quota allocations.
- If you apply to extend your visa after changing to E-7-4, you will need to meet the score requirement to get an extension.
- Documents issued abroad are valid for 6 months and will not be recognized after that period.
- Starters
2分支 625人 →to 3,000people (+2,375人)
Q3 and Q4 will be announced at a later date, and we will be scaling up from our initial plan of 5,000 to 30,000 people this year.
- Adjusting tenure eligibility
Existing 5年 →Β 4Reduced to years (-1年)
- Number of people allowed
a. Traditional: You couldhire up to 8 people , regardless of the size of your business .
b. After the change
1) General Manufacturing
You can hire up to20% of the national workforce . However, manufacturers in non-metropolitan areas can hire up to30% of the national workforce .
2) root-âConcentrate
Youcanhire up to 30% of the national workforce, andup to two employeesfor businesses with fouror fewer employees.
