📋 Source: 체류민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼, March 2026 (p.298–308) — Ministry of Justice, Korea
The K-Point system is the official scoring framework used to evaluate E-7-4 (Skilled Labor) visa applicants. Unlike the standard E-7-1 which relies on degree and experience verification, E-7-4 assigns numerical points across three main categories — income, Korean language, and age — plus bonus and deduction items.
This guide presents the exact official scoring table from the March 2026 immigration manual, with plain-English explanations of how each category works and what score you actually need to qualify.
📑 In this guide
1. How the K-Point System Works
The K-Point system evaluates E-7-4 applicants on a 300-point base scale, with additional bonus points available. To qualify, you need a minimum total score of 200 points — combining your base score and any bonus points.
Three categories make up the 300-point base: income (max 120 pts), Korean language (max 120 pts), and age (max 60 pts). This structure means income and Korean language are the two most important factors — they together account for 80% of your maximum base score.
💡 Key insight: The employer recommendation is both mandatory AND a bonus
The recommendation from your current employer (where you’ve worked for 1+ year) is required just to submit an application — but it also adds 50 bonus points to your score. This means every qualifying applicant starts with at least 50 bonus points already in the bank. Factor this into your calculations from the start.
2. The 4 Mandatory Requirements
Before any scoring takes place, you must meet all four of the following conditions. Failing even one means your application cannot be submitted, regardless of your score.
| # | Requirement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| ① | Legal Korea work history | 4+ years under E-9, E-10, or H-2 status within the last 10 years. Currently registered as a foreign resident and actively working. |
| ② | Employment contract | New E-7-4 contract for 2+ years at current employer. Annual salary: KRW 26,000,000+ (KRW 25,000,000 for agriculture, livestock, and inland fisheries). |
| ③ | Employer recommendation | Must have worked at the recommending company for at least 1 year. The employer’s recommendation is also worth 50 bonus points. |
| ④ | Score threshold | 200+ points total (base + bonus). Both income AND Korean language must each individually reach their minimum score (50 points each) — not just the total. |
⚠️ The double minimum rule
You cannot compensate for a low Korean language score with high income, or vice versa. Both income and Korean language must each reach at least 50 points independently. A total score of 200 with only 30 Korean language points = rejected.
3. Basic Scoring Items (Max 300 Points)
📋 Source: 체류민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼, March 2026, p.306 (붙임1 K-point E74 점수표)
Ⓐ Average Income Max 120 pts
KRW 25M – 30M/yr50 pts ★ min
KRW 30M – 35M/yr65 pts
KRW 35M – 40M/yr80 pts
KRW 40M – 45M/yr95 pts
KRW 45M – 50M/yr110 pts
KRW 50M+/yr120 pts
Ⓑ Korean Language Max 120 pts
TOPIK 2 / KIIP Level 2 / Pre-test 41–6050 pts ★ min
TOPIK 3 / KIIP Level 3 / Pre-test 61–8080 pts
TOPIK 4+ / KIIP Level 4+ / Pre-test 81+120 pts
Ⓒ Age Max 60 pts
Age 19 – 2640 pts
Age 27 – 3360 pts
Age 34 – 4030 pts
Age 41+10 pts
📌 Income is measured as a 2-year average
The income score is based on your average annual income over the most recent 2 years, verified by the Certificate of Income Amount (소득금액증명원) issued by the National Tax Service (세무서). It is not based on your current contract salary alone. If you had low income in one year and high income the next, those two years are averaged. All bonuses, overtime, and night-shift pay included in your tax records count toward this figure.
★ = Minimum score required in this category. Both Ⓐ and Ⓑ must individually reach at least 50 points.
4. Bonus Points
📋 Source: 체류민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼, March 2026, p.306 (가점항목)
Bonus points are added to your base score and count toward the 200-point threshold. All bonus categories can be combined — except that central ministry (①) and regional government (②) recommendations cannot both be counted if they overlap.
- ③ Current employer recommendation (고용기업 추천) — must have worked there 1+ year +50 pts
- ① Central government ministry recommendation (중앙부처 추천) +30 pts
- ② Regional government recommendation (광역지자체 추천) +30 pts
- ④ 3+ years continuous service at current employer (현재 근무처 3년 이상 근속) +20 pts
- ⑤ 3+ years living/working in depopulation area or rural area (인구감소지역·읍면지역) +20 pts
- ⑥ Korean national technical certificate (기능사 or above) OR domestic university degree +20 pts
- ⑦ Korean driver’s license (국내 운전면허증) +10 pts
✅ Maximum achievable bonus: 180 points
If you qualify for all bonus categories (①+③+④+⑤+⑥+⑦), you can add up to 150 points in bonuses. Combined with base items, a well-positioned applicant can significantly exceed the 200-point threshold even with moderate income or language scores.
5. Deduction Points
📋 Source: 체류민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼, March 2026, p.306 (감점항목)
| Deduction Item | 1st offense | 2nd offense | 3rd+ offense | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fine under KRW 1,000,000 | -5 pts | -10 pts | -20 pts | -20 pts |
| History of tax delinquency (체납으로 체류허가 제한) | -5 pts | -10 pts | -15 pts | -15 pts |
| Immigration Act violations (3 or fewer, with administrative penalty) | -5 pts | -10 pts | -15 pts | -15 pts |
⚡ Minor violations deduct points — not disqualify
Fines under KRW 1,000,000 and minor immigration violations result in point deductions, not automatic disqualification. However, a fine of KRW 1,000,000 or more is an automatic disqualifier (see Section 6). Pay all outstanding fines and taxes before applying.
6. Automatic Disqualifiers
If any of the following apply, your application will be rejected regardless of your score. Check your records carefully before applying.
| # | Disqualifier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ① | Criminal fine of KRW 1,000,000 or more | Applies to incidents within the last 10 years |
| ② | Outstanding tax delinquency | Exception: You can apply after paying all outstanding taxes in full |
| ③ | 4 or more violations of the Immigration Control Act | Applies to incidents within the last 10 years |
| ④ | History of illegal stay of 3 months or more | Applies to incidents within the last 10 years |
| ⑤ | Risk to national interest or public safety | At immigration officer discretion |
| ⑥ | Risk to economic order, social order, or public morality | At immigration officer discretion |
7. What Score Do You Need?
The qualification threshold is 200 points, combining your base score and bonus points, subject to both the income and Korean language minimums being met individually.
📊 The 200-Point Threshold — What It Actually Means
Base items max: 300 pts (Income 120 + Korean 120 + Age 60)
Employer recommendation bonus (mandatory): +50 pts
→ Every qualifying applicant starts with their base score + at least 50 bonus points.
→ The effective minimum base score needed: approximately 150 points, with the remaining 50 coming from the mandatory employer recommendation bonus.
However: both income (≥50 pts) and Korean language (≥50 pts) must each individually clear their minimums first.
Employer recommendation bonus (mandatory): +50 pts
→ Every qualifying applicant starts with their base score + at least 50 bonus points.
→ The effective minimum base score needed: approximately 150 points, with the remaining 50 coming from the mandatory employer recommendation bonus.
However: both income (≥50 pts) and Korean language (≥50 pts) must each individually clear their minimums first.
8. Korean Language Deferral (2026 Special Measure)
📋 Source: 체류민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼, March 2026, p.298, 306
If you cannot currently meet the Korean language minimum (50 pts / TOPIK 2), a temporary deferral is available under a 2026 special measure — but it comes with strict conditions.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Deferral deadline | Available until December 31, 2026 only |
| Eligibility | Income score ≥ 50 pts AND total score (without Korean) ≥ 150 pts |
| Condition | Must achieve required Korean level by first renewal (within 2 years) |
| Penalty if not met | Family invitation (F-3) not permitted; only 6-month extension granted; further extension refused if still not met |
⚠️ Deferral is not an exemption
Using the Korean language deferral means you are committing to meet the requirement within 2 years. If you fail to do so, you lose the right to bring family members on F-3 visas and face severe restrictions on future extensions. Only use the deferral if you have a clear, realistic plan to reach TOPIK 2 or KIIP Level 2 within 2 years.
9. Score Examples
Example A — Comfortable Pass
Manufacturing worker, age 30, 6 years in Korea
Ⓐ Income: KRW 38M/yr average (2-year avg)80 pts
Ⓑ Korean: TOPIK Level 380 pts
Ⓒ Age: 30 years old (27–33 band)60 pts
③ Employer recommendation (mandatory bonus)+50 pts
④ 4 years at same employer+20 pts
Total Score
290 pts ✅
Example B — Borderline (Needs Strategy)
Construction worker, age 45, 4 years in Korea
Ⓐ Income: KRW 28M/yr average50 pts ★
Ⓑ Korean: TOPIK Level 250 pts ★
Ⓒ Age: 45 (41+ band)10 pts
③ Employer recommendation (mandatory bonus)+50 pts
Total Score
160 pts ❌
⚡ How Example B reaches 200 points
- Improve Korean to TOPIK 3 → +30 pts (50→80 pts) → Total: 190 pts
- Add 3+ years at same employer bonus → +20 pts → Total: 210 pts ✅
- OR: Work in rural/depopulation area 3+ years → +20 pts → Total: 210 pts ✅
- Korean driver’s license → +10 pts → Total: 170 pts (still needs more)
Example C — Using Korean Deferral
Shipbuilding worker, age 35, 7 years in Korea, no TOPIK yet
Ⓐ Income: KRW 42M/yr average95 pts
Ⓑ Korean: None (0 pts — using deferral)0 pts
Ⓒ Age: 35 (34–40 band)30 pts
③ Employer recommendation (mandatory bonus)+50 pts
④ 5 years at same employer+20 pts
⑥ Korean 기능사 certificate+20 pts
Total (without Korean)
215 pts ✅ (deferral eligible)
Income ≥ 50pts ✅ + Total ≥ 150pts ✅ → Korean deferral applies. Must reach TOPIK 2 / KIIP Level 2 within 2 years of E-7-4 approval.
10. How to Maximize Your Score
| Action | Points gained | Time required | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Improve TOPIK 2 → TOPIK 3 | +30 pts | 3–6 months study | Medium |
| Improve TOPIK 3 → TOPIK 4 | +40 pts | 6–12 months study | Hard |
| Complete KIIP Level 4 (from Level 2) | +30 pts (equivalent to TOPIK 3) | 6–12 months classes | Medium |
| Obtain Korean 기능사 certificate | +20 pts | 3–6 months prep | Medium |
| Obtain Korean driver’s license | +10 pts | 1–3 months | Easy |
| Stay at same employer to reach 3-year mark | +20 pts | Depends on current tenure | Easy (just wait) |
| Negotiate salary from KRW 28M to KRW 30M+ | +15 pts | Next review cycle | Medium |
| Request regional government recommendation | +30 pts | Variable | Hard — depends on local policy |
✅ Strategic priority order
- Korean language first — upgrading TOPIK level is the highest pts-per-effort improvement available
- Stay at your current employer — each year you stay, you get closer to the 3-year bonus (20 pts)
- Get a Korean 기능사 certificate — 20 pts and demonstrates skill. HRD Korea administers exams in manufacturing, welding, construction, and other trades
- Korean driver’s license — 10 pts for a relatively easy test
- Negotiate salary — moving from one income band to the next adds 15 pts
📋 Official Sources
- 체류민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼, March 2026 — Ministry of Justice, Korea (p.298–308)
- K-point E74 self-diagnosis tool: HiKorea portal (hikorea.go.kr)
- TOPIK registration: topik.go.kr
- KIIP registration: socinet.go.kr
- Skills certification (기능사): HRD Korea (q-net.or.kr)
Disclaimer: This article is based on the official March 2026 immigration manual published by the Korean Ministry of Justice. Scoring criteria, thresholds, and bonus items are subject to change. Always verify current requirements at the HiKorea portal or with a licensed immigration attorney before submitting your application. The self-diagnosis tool on HiKorea provides the most up-to-date calculation.