If you’re a foreign worker currently in Korea on an E-9 visa — or thinking about which visa to pursue — understanding the real difference between E-9 and E-7-4 is essential. These two visas serve very different purposes and come with very different rights, restrictions, and long-term implications.
This guide compares both visas side-by-side using the official March 2026 immigration manuals as the source of truth.
📑 In this guide
1. At a Glance: E-9 vs E-7-4
2. What Is the E-9 Visa?
The E-9 (Non-Professional Employment / 비전문취업) visa is part of Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS / 고용허가제), governed by the Act on Foreign Workers’ Employment. It allows workers from 17 designated countries to work in specific non-professional sectors for small and medium-sized Korean businesses.
- Maximum total stay: 4 years 10 months under the EPS system
- Single period validity: Up to 3 years
- Eligible employer size: Companies with fewer than 300 regular employees OR capital under KRW 8 billion
- Eligible countries: 17 MOU countries — Thailand, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Cambodia, China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan, Timor-Leste, Laos, Tajikistan
- Entry: Must enter through the official EPS process — group entry only, no individual applications
3. What Is the E-7-4 Visa?
The E-7-4 (Skilled Labor / 숙련기능인력) is a subcategory of Korea’s Special Occupation (E-7) visa. It is specifically designed as an upgrade pathway for experienced E-9 workers who have built up years of verified skilled labor experience in Korea. Unlike E-9 which uses an EPS matching system, E-7-4 uses the K-Point scoring system to evaluate applicants.
- Eligibility: Must have worked in Korea under E-9, E-10, or H-2 for 4+ years within the last 10 years
- Selection method: K-Point scoring — 300 point maximum, 200 point minimum to qualify
- Minimum salary: KRW 26,000,000/year (KRW 25,000,000 for agriculture, livestock, and inland fisheries)
- Validity: Up to 3 years per renewal, indefinitely renewable
- 3 allowed occupation codes: 뿌리산업체 숙련기능공(S740), 농림축산어업 숙련기능인(S610), 일반 제조업체 및 건설업체 숙련기능공(S700)
4. Full Side-by-Side Comparison
| Item | E-9 (비전문취업) | E-7-4 (숙련기능인력) |
|---|---|---|
| Official name | Non-Professional Employment | Special Occupation — Skilled Labor |
| Selection system | EPS (Employment Permit System) — government matching | K-Point scoring (self-applied) |
| Korea experience required | None — for first-time entry | 4+ years under E-9/E-10/H-2 (within last 10 years) |
| Maximum total stay | 4 years 10 months total | Indefinite (renewable with no total cap) |
| Single period validity | Up to 3 years | Up to 3 years per renewal |
| Minimum salary | Minimum wage level | KRW 26,000,000/year (KRW 25,000,000 for agriculture/fisheries) |
| Eligible employer size | Fewer than 300 employees OR capital under KRW 8 billion | No size restriction — but employer must currently employ E-9/E-10/H-2 workers |
| Employer change | Very restricted — through EPS system only | Possible with immigration notification process |
| Family in Korea | ❌ Not permitted | ✅ Spouse + children under 19 on F-3 dependent visa |
| Path to F-2-7 (long-term residency) | ❌ Not directly available | ✅ Available after meeting point threshold |
| Path to F-5 (permanent residency) | ❌ Not available | ✅ Via F-2-7 pathway |
| Eligible countries | 17 EPS MOU countries only | All nationalities (no country restriction) |
| Entry method | Group entry through EPS — individual applications not allowed | Individual status change from existing Korea visa |
| Korean language requirement | EPS Korean language test (before entry) | TOPIK 2+ / KIIP Level 2+ (deferral available until Dec 2026) |
| Work scope | Restricted to specific employer and workplace | Tied to employer but employer change possible with notification |
5. Allowed Industries
E-9 Allowed Industries
E-9 workers can only be employed in specific designated sectors. Each sector has its own sub-code:
Service sector (E-9-5) includes: refrigerated/frozen warehouses, hotels/lodging (limited regions), Korean restaurants (limited conditions), recycling collection, publishing, and certain logistics and cargo handling.
E-7-4 Allowed Industries
E-7-4 covers three occupation codes only, targeting the most critical labor-shortage sectors:
6. Changing Employers
On E-9: Very Restricted
Under the EPS system, E-9 workers are tied to their designated employer. Changing workplaces requires a legitimate reason (company closure, labor law violations, unreasonable demands, etc.) and must go through the official EPS process via the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea). Voluntary job changes are generally not permitted under E-9.
On E-7-4: Possible with Notification
E-7-4 holders can change employers, but must notify immigration and go through a formal employer change process. The new employer must meet E-7-4 eligibility requirements. Importantly, staying with the same employer for 3+ years earns bonus points (+20 pts) on K-Point applications — so frequent job changes have a cost beyond the administrative burden.
7. Family in Korea
| Item | E-9 | E-7-4 |
|---|---|---|
| Can spouse join? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes — F-3 dependent visa |
| Can children join? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes — unmarried children under 19, F-3 |
| Can spouse work? | N/A | F-3 does not permit employment — spouse needs own work visa |
| Korean language condition | N/A | If Korean deferral used: family invitation not available until TOPIK 2 / KIIP Level 2 is achieved |
The ability to bring family to Korea is one of the most significant practical differences between E-9 and E-7-4. For workers who have been in Korea for years and want to build a family life here, E-7-4 makes this legally possible for the first time.
8. Path to Permanent Residency
E-9: Blocked
The E-9 visa does not provide a direct pathway to long-term residency or permanent residency. After reaching the maximum stay of 4 years and 10 months, E-9 workers must return to their home country. Re-entry for another EPS cycle is possible after a mandatory return period, but this is a cycle of temporary stays — not a path to settlement.
pathway
E-7-4: Clear Pathway to Permanent Residency
E-7-4 holders can apply for F-2-7 (point-based long-term residency) once they accumulate sufficient F-2-7 points, and eventually for F-5 permanent residency after meeting the continuous residency and income requirements.
9. Who Should Target Which Visa?
| Your Situation | Recommended Visa | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Just arriving in Korea from a qualifying country, no prior Korea work history | E-9 | E-7-4 requires 4+ years of Korea work history — not available for first-time arrivals |
| Currently on E-9 with 4+ years, want to stay permanently | E-7-4 | E-9 has a total stay cap; E-7-4 is indefinitely renewable and opens PR pathway |
| Currently on E-9, want to bring family to Korea | E-7-4 | Family members cannot join on E-9; F-3 dependent visa is only available on E-7-4 |
| On E-9, approaching the 4 year 10 month limit | E-7-4 (urgent) | Apply for E-7-4 before hitting the cap — calculate your K-Point score now |
| On E-9 with 3–4 years, Korean language score low | E-9 for now, prep for E-7-4 | Use remaining E-9 time to study for TOPIK 2+, then apply for E-7-4 |
| On E-9, income below KRW 26M/yr | E-9 for now, negotiate salary | KRW 26M/yr is a hard floor for E-7-4 — salary must meet this before applying |
- E-9 is a temporary labor program with a total stay cap of 4 years 10 months and no family or PR options
- E-7-4 is a long-term skilled worker status — indefinitely renewable with family rights and a clear PR pathway
- E-7-4 requires 4+ years of Korea work experience — it is not available to first-time arrivals
- The minimum E-7-4 salary (KRW 26M/yr) is significantly higher than E-9 minimum wage — negotiate this before applying
- Korean language (TOPIK 2 minimum) is required for E-7-4, though a temporary deferral is available until December 31, 2026
- If you’re on E-9 and approaching the stay cap, calculate your K-Point score now — you may already qualify
Ready to calculate your K-Point score? See our full scoring guide: E-7-4 K-Point Score Table 2026: The Official Guide →
- 사증민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼, March 2026, p.284–287 (E-9 비전문취업 — Ministry of Justice, Korea)
- 체류민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼, March 2026, p.298–308 (E-7-4 숙련기능인력 — Ministry of Justice, Korea)
- HiKorea portal for K-Point self-diagnosis: hikorea.go.kr
- EPS (Employment Permit System): eps.go.kr