Working in Korea as a foreigner is entirely possible — but the path is different depending on where you’re starting from, what you do, and how long you want to stay. There is no single “work visa.” There are at least six different routes, and choosing the wrong one costs months. This guide is the map: where you start, which visa you’re heading toward, and the guides you need to get there.
1. Are you a professional (white-collar, degree holder) or a skilled/manual worker?
Professional: E-7-1 → F-2-7 → F-5 is your track
Skilled/manual on E-9: E-7-4 points system → F-2-7 → F-5 is your track
2. Are you coming from outside Korea, or already here on a student/other visa?
Outside: Start with the right visa at the embassy
Already here on D-2/D-4: Switch to D-10 first → then E-7
The Full Roadmap: Korea Work Visa Timeline
Get the right entry visa
Which visa you enter on determines your options. Most people start on one of three tracks:
→ E-7 (job offer from Korean company) — apply at Korean embassy
→ D-2 / D-4 (student, language study) — most common first step for those building toward E-7
→ E-9 (non-professional employment permit via EPS) — for manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries
→ H-1 (working holiday) — short-term, 18–30 months, any nationality on the list
ARC → Phone → Bank Account
Before anything else. ARC (Alien Registration Card) is your Korean ID — required for phone contracts, bank accounts, and almost every government service. Apply within 90 days of arrival (earlier is better).
ARC Card Guide → Mobile Phone Setup Guide → Korean Bank Account Guide →Switch to D-10 (Job Seeker Visa)
If you’re finishing a degree in Korea (D-2) or a language program (D-4) and want to find a job, you need to switch to D-10 before your current visa expires. D-10 gives you up to 2 years to find employment. You can do part-time work and internships on D-10 under specific conditions.
D-10 Complete Guide → D-2 / D-4 → D-10 Switch Guide → D-10 Part-Time Work & Internship Rules →Find a Korean employer — and prepare your application
Korean job searching is different from international job markets. Platform selection, resume format, and CV strategy all matter more than most people expect. E-7 requires employer sponsorship — not all companies know how to do it, and many avoid it. Targeting the right companies matters.
Best Job Platforms in Korea 2026 → Korean Resume (이력서) Format Guide → CV Strategy: Tailoring, Quantifying, Positioning →E-7 Professional Work Visa
E-7 is the main long-term work visa for professionals. It’s employer-sponsored and occupation-specific. Minimum salary: KRW 31,120,000/year for E-7-1 (2026). Processing time: 4–8 weeks.
If you’re a long-term E-9 worker (manufacturing/agriculture/fisheries), E-7-1 is usually not your path — see E-7-4 below.
E-7 Complete Guide: All Subcategories → E-7 Application Step-by-Step → E-7 Processing Time & Fees → E-9 Worker: E-7-4 vs E-7-1 — Which Path? →E-7-4 Skilled Worker Points System
If you’re on E-9 (or E-10 / H-2) and have worked in Korea for 4+ years in manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, construction, or shipbuilding — E-7-4 is your path to a long-term professional visa. You apply yourself using the K-Point scoring system (need 200+ out of 300). No new employer needed.
E-7-4 K-Point Score Table (Official 2026) → E-7-4 K-Point Calculator → E-9 to E-7-4 Complete Transition Guide →F-2-7 Long-Term Residency — the freedom visa
F-2-7 is the biggest upgrade most E-7 holders can make. Unlike E-7, F-2-7 is not tied to an employer — you can change jobs, work freelance, or start a business. Valid up to 3 years per renewal. Requires 80+ points on the points system.
Can apply after 3 years on E-7-1 — or after just 1 year if income ≥ KRW 40M. Korean master’s degree is NOT required.
F-2-7 Complete Points Guide → F-2-7 FAQ: Master’s Degree, Renewal, and More →F-5 Permanent Residency
F-5 is permanent residency — no expiry, no employer restriction, no renewal. Requires 5 years total legal residence in Korea (E-7 + F-2-7 time combined), TOPIK 3+ or KIIP Level 5, and income ≥ Korea’s GNI (KRW 52,416,000 in 2026).
After F-5, Korean citizenship (귀화) becomes possible — but requires renouncing original citizenship. Most long-term residents stop at F-5.
GNI 2026: Income Thresholds for F-5 and Other Visas →Which Path Applies to You?
Settling In While You Work
Getting the visa is just step one. Every foreign worker in Korea needs to set up the basics:
| Task | When | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| ARC (Alien Registration Card) | Within 90 days of arrival | ARC Guide → |
| Korean phone number | Week 1 — airport SIM, upgrade after ARC | Phone Guide → |
| Korean bank account | After ARC arrives | Bank Account Guide → |
| Transportation card | Day 1 — available at airport | T-money / Climate Card / K-Pass → |
| Health insurance (NHIS) | Automatic enrollment after 6 months / from employer | Health Insurance Guide → |
| Korean workplace culture | Before your first day | Work Culture Guide → |
| Employment rights | Know before you sign anything | Employment Rights Guide → |
- Not in Korea yet, applying for E-7: → E-7 Visa Complete Guide
- On D-2/D-4, graduating soon: → D-4 → D-10 Switch Guide
- On E-9, been here 4+ years: → Check your E-7-4 K-Point score
- On E-7, wondering about F-2-7: → F-2-7 Points Guide
- Not sure which path: → E-7-4 vs E-7-1: Which Applies to You?