You’ve confirmed your eligibility, your salary clears the threshold, and your documents are ready. Now comes the actual application. The E-7 process has more moving parts than most visas — there are two routes (in-Korea vs. from abroad), specific submission steps, and a waiting period that can stretch to 8 weeks.
This guide walks you through every step, clearly and in order, so you know exactly what’s happening at each stage.
Two Routes: Applying In Korea vs. From Abroad
Before going through the steps, understand which route applies to you — the process differs depending on whether you’re already in Korea or applying from outside.
🇰🇷 Applying from Inside Korea
- You are already in Korea on another valid visa (student, tourist, working holiday, etc.)
- You apply for a status change (체류자격 변경) at your local immigration office
- You submit documents in person at the immigration office
- You stay in Korea throughout the review period
- Once approved, your ARC is updated with E-7 status
✈️ Applying from Outside Korea
- You are currently in your home country or a third country
- Your Korean employer applies for a Certificate of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서) on your behalf
- Once the certificate is issued, you collect your visa at a Korean embassy/consulate
- You enter Korea on the new E-7 visa and register within 90 days
- Timeline is typically longer due to the extra step
Step-by-Step: Applying from Inside Korea
This is the most common route for international students, working holiday visa holders, and people already employed in Korea on a different visa.
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1
Secure a job offer in a qualifying E-7 occupation
Your educational background or work experience must be relevant to the role. The job title on your offer must correspond to one of the 87 official E-7 occupation codes. If you’re unsure which code applies, work with your employer’s HR team to confirm before proceeding.
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2
Sign the employment contract
The contract must clearly state your annual salary in KRW (meeting the E-7 minimum for your subcategory), your job title, duties, and employment period. Both you and an authorized representative of the company must sign. Review salary requirements in Part 3 →
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3
Confirm the correct E-7 occupation code
Your employer selects the specific E-7 occupation code from the 87 official options. The code must accurately reflect your actual job duties — not just the closest-sounding title. Mismatches between the code, your job title, and your background are a leading cause of rejection. See rejection reasons in Part 10 →
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4
Prepare all documents (both sides)
Gather every document on both the applicant and employer checklists. Have all foreign-issued documents apostilled or notarized, and translated into Korean or English. This step typically takes the longest — factor in 2–4 weeks if documents need to come from abroad. Full documents checklist in Part 4 →
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5
Find and visit your local immigration office
Submit your application in person at the immigration office (출입국외국인청 or 출입국외국인사무소) that covers your area of residence in Korea. You can find your nearest office on the Korean Immigration Service website. Some offices allow online pre-registration for appointments — check in advance as walk-in queues can be long.
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6
Submit documents and pay the application fee
Hand over your complete document set to the immigration officer. Pay the applicable visa fee at submission (KRW 130,000 for status change within Korea). You’ll receive a receipt with your application number — keep this safe, as you’ll need it to check your status.
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7
Wait for review (4–8 weeks)
The standard processing time is 4–8 weeks, though it can extend to 10–12 weeks during busy periods. During this time, your current visa status remains valid even if your visa technically expires — the review period is legally recognized as extended status. Do not leave Korea without confirming this with your immigration office first.
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8
Collect your updated Alien Registration Card
Once approved, you’ll be notified (by SMS or through HiKorea) to visit the immigration office to collect your updated ARC showing E-7 status. Bring your passport and existing ARC. The updated card is typically ready within a few days of approval notification.
Step-by-Step: Applying from Outside Korea
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1
Employer applies for Certificate of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서)
Your Korean employer submits the full document package — both their documents and yours — to the Korean immigration office in the region where the company is located. The employer does this on your behalf. You do not need to be present in Korea for this step.
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2
Immigration reviews and issues the certificate (4–8 weeks)
The review process is the same as the in-Korea route. Once approved, immigration issues a Certificate of Visa Issuance with a reference number. Your employer will receive this and share it with you.
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3
Visit the Korean embassy or consulate in your country
Bring the certificate reference number, your passport, and any additional documents the embassy requires. Pay the visa fee (KRW 60,000 single entry or KRW 110,000 multiple entry). The embassy typically issues the visa sticker within a few business days.
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4
Enter Korea and register within 90 days
Once in Korea, register at your local immigration office within 90 days of entry to receive your Alien Registration Card. You cannot legally work until your ARC is issued and shows E-7 status.
How to Check Your Application Status
After submission, you can check the status of your E-7 application online:
- HiKorea website (hikorea.go.kr) → 민원 서비스 → 처리 결과 조회 — requires your application receipt number
- Phone — call your local immigration office directly with your receipt number
- SMS notification — immigration offices typically send an SMS when your application is approved or when additional documents are needed
What If the Officer Requests Additional Documents?
During the review period, the immigration officer may contact you (or your employer) requesting supplementary documents. This is not a rejection — it’s a normal part of the process for applications where certain details need clarification.
Common supplementary requests include:
- Additional proof that your degree field relates to your job role
- More detailed work experience documentation
- A more specific 고용사유서 from the employer
- Proof of the company’s business activities in the relevant industry
Can I Start Working Before the E-7 Is Approved?
HiKorea Online vs. In-Person Application
For certain visa types, Korea’s HiKorea portal allows online applications. For the E-7 visa, however, in-person submission at an immigration office is required in most cases. Some preliminary steps (like downloading forms or pre-registering for appointments) can be done online, but the actual document submission and biometric registration must be done in person.
Key Takeaways
- There are two routes: status change in Korea, or Certificate of Visa Issuance from abroad — know which applies to you before starting
- The typical process takes 6–10 weeks from document submission to ARC collection
- Your current visa status remains valid throughout the review period — you will not overstay
- You cannot legally work until your ARC shows E-7 status — not from the date of submission
- A supplementary document request during review is normal — respond promptly and accurately
- Keep your application receipt number safe — you’ll need it to check status
👉 Continue to Part 6: Processing Time & Fees →