Source: Ministry of Justice press release, October 22, 2026. Last checked: October 24, 2026.
Last checked: October 24, 2026
On October 22, 2026, Korea’s Ministry of Justice (MOJ) announced plans to improve the Skilled Worker (E-7-4) visa, the route that lets E-9 and E-10 workers stay long term after years of work in Korea. The plan rewards long service with one employer, makes the later move to F-2 easier, cuts the documents needed for an extension, and adds an online checker on HiKorea.
Quick answer
- Long-service bonus: more K-points for years worked at the same company when you switch to E-7-4.
- Easier F-2 later: a shorter stay period needed to move from E-7-4 to the F-2 residence visa.
- Fewer extension documents: from 12 or more to 7 or fewer.
- Online checker: an “Employment Visa Guide” pilot on HiKorea with an E-7-4 points calculator and document checklists.
- No start date yet. Point values, the new F-2 period and launch dates were not published. The current rules still apply.
What MOJ announced
| Change | What MOJ said | Not published yet |
|---|---|---|
| Long-service bonus points | Workers who stay longer at the same company get a bigger long-service bonus, based on years of service, when they switch to E-7-4. | How many points, from when |
| F-2 residence path | The stay period required to change from E-7-4 to F-2 will be relaxed. | The new required period |
| Extension documents | Documents for an E-7-4 stay extension drop from 12 or more types to 7 or fewer. | The new list and start date |
| HiKorea “Employment Visa Guide” (pilot) | Find E-7 jobs by keyword, check your eligibility, calculate E-7-4 points, print document checklists, and read 25 FAQs. No sign-up needed. | Launch date and exact address (“to be confirmed”) |
| Growth ladder notice | An official notice (고시) will set out the path E-9/E-10 → E-7-4 → F-2 → F-5. | The notice itself |
MOJ says the online guide is for reference only and has no legal effect. Each application is still decided by the immigration office.
What has not changed
- The current K-point E74 score table stays in force until MOJ issues the new notice or revises its manual. Our E-7-4 points calculator follows the current table.
- E-7-4 is still a change of status inside Korea only. You cannot apply for it from abroad.
- Rules that already changed on August 31, 2026 still apply: the contract salary line for agriculture, livestock and fisheries is KRW 25.89 million, and employer recommendations must fit within the company’s E-7-4 hiring allowance. See E-7-4 employer requirements.
What this means if you are on E-9 now
- Staying with one employer will matter more. If you are thinking about changing workplaces, remember that the new bonus is based on service at the same company.
- Do not wait if you already qualify. The new points have no start date. If you meet today’s requirements, you can apply under the current table. Check the E-7-4 documents checklist.
- Korean is still the hardest part. In the MOJ survey, 53.5% of workers said getting a Korean score was the biggest difficulty.
- Plan the next steps. After E-7-4, see family, renewal and permanent residence.
Why MOJ is making these changes
Since the E-7-4 quota was expanded from 2,000 to 35,000 in September 2023, the number of E-7-4 holders reached 52,648 in September 2026. In June 2026, MOJ surveyed 470 employers and 316 foreign workers with the Korea Federation of SMEs and HRD Korea. 81.3% of workers and 85.3% of employers said they wanted to use E-7-4. Both groups named complicated procedures and the Korean-language requirement as the biggest problems.
Frequently asked questions
When do the changes start?
MOJ has not announced a start date. We will update this page when the notice or the revised manual is published.
Will my current K-points change?
Not yet. The current score table applies until the new rules are issued.
Where is the HiKorea Employment Visa Guide?
It has not launched yet. MOJ said the access path will be confirmed later. See our HiKorea guide for current online services.
I am on E-9. Is E-7-4 better for me?
Compare stay limits, job changes and family rules in E-9 vs E-7-4.
Official references
Information notice: This page summarizes the Ministry of Justice press release of October 22, 2026, checked October 24, 2026. Details may change when the official notice is issued. It is not individual legal advice.