The Korean government has released updated Gross National Income (GNI) figures for 2026, which directly affect the income and financial requirements applied across all Korean visa categories — including the E-7 Special Occupation Visa. Critically, the government has announced a special exception specifically for E-7 visa holders that keeps their threshold lower than the general GNI-based standard.
Here’s everything you need to know about what changed, what didn’t, and how this affects your E-7 application or renewal.
What Changed: The 2025 GNI Figure
Each year, the Bank of Korea (한국은행) publishes the previous year’s per-capita Gross National Income (1인당 국민총소득). This figure is then used by the Ministry of Justice as a benchmark for income-related visa requirements — including the high-income earner exemption for the E-7 visa.
In March 2026, the Bank of Korea released the final 2025 GNI figure:
📋 2026 GNI Update — Key Numbers
- 2025 Per-Capita GNI (general figure): KRW 52,416,000
- Effective period (general): April 1, 2026 — March 31, 2027
- Applies to: All visa categories that use GNI as an income/financial requirement
- E-7 special exception: Uses 2024 GNI of KRW 49,950,000 instead — until March 2027
- E-7 effective period: Until March 31, 2027
- Coming next: New E-7 wage system planned for H2 2026 — will replace GNI-based standard
The E-7 Special Exception: Why Your Number Is Different
This is the most important part of the announcement for E-7 visa holders.
While the general 2025 GNI figure of KRW 52,416,000 applies to most visa categories from April 2026, the Ministry of Justice has confirmed that the E-7 visa will continue using the 2024 GNI figure of KRW 49,950,000 as its benchmark — until March 2027, at which point a new dedicated E-7 wage system is expected to replace GNI-based calculations entirely.
What This Means in Practice: The High-Income Exemption Threshold
The most direct way this GNI figure affects E-7 applicants is through the high-income earner exemption. Under E-7 rules, if your annual salary equals or exceeds 3 times the applicable per-capita GNI, all education and work experience requirements are completely waived — for any E-7 occupation.
| Category | GNI Applied | 3× Threshold (Exemption) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| General visas (non-E-7) | KRW 52,416,000 | KRW 157,248,000 | ~$116,500 |
| E-7 visa (special exception) | KRW 49,950,000 | KRW 149,850,000 | ~$111,000 |
In practical terms: if you are an E-7 applicant with an annual salary of KRW 149,850,000 or higher (~USD 111,000), your degree field, major, and work experience become irrelevant — you qualify automatically regardless of your background.
Minimum Salary Thresholds: No Change
To be clear about what this GNI update does not affect: the minimum salary thresholds for each E-7 subcategory (E-7-1 through E-7-4) are set through a separate government process and were last updated in April 2025. This March 2026 GNI announcement does not change those figures.
| Visa Type | Category | Min. Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-7-1 | Professional (전문인력) | KRW 28,670,000 | ✅ Unchanged |
| E-7-2 | Semi-Professional (준전문인력) | KRW 25,150,000 | ✅ Unchanged |
| E-7-3 | General Skilled (일반기능인력) | KRW 25,150,000 | ✅ Unchanged |
| E-7-4 | Skilled Labor (숙련기능인력) | KRW 26,000,000 | ✅ Unchanged |
Note: A new E-7 wage system is expected in H2 2026, which may replace or update these figures. We will publish an update as soon as the new system is announced.
What to Watch: New E-7 Wage System Coming in H2 2026
The most significant forward-looking element of this announcement is the confirmation that the Korean government is developing a dedicated wage framework for E-7 employment visas, separate from the GNI-based system currently in use. This new system is expected to be announced in the second half of 2026.
What we know so far:
- The new system will replace GNI-based income standards for E-7 specifically
- It is expected to introduce a more structured salary framework — likely differentiated by occupation code or industry sector
- Until the new system launches, the 2024 GNI special exception (KRW 49,950,000) remains in effect for E-7
- The transition timeline is currently set for H2 2026, with full implementation expected before March 2027
Full Summary: What Changed vs. What Didn’t
| Item | Before (pre-April 2026) | After (from April 1, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| General GNI figure | KRW 49,950,000 (2024) | KRW 52,416,000 (2025) |
| E-7 applied GNI (special exception) | KRW 49,950,000 | KRW 49,950,000 (unchanged — special rate) |
| E-7 high-income exemption (3× GNI) | ~KRW 149,850,000 | KRW 149,850,000 (unchanged) |
| E-7 minimum salary thresholds (by subcategory) | Set April 2025 | Unchanged — separate process |
| New E-7 wage system | Not announced | Expected H2 2026 |
Action Items by Reader Type
If you are currently applying for E-7: Nothing changes for your application right now. The minimum salary thresholds and eligibility requirements are unchanged. If your salary is above KRW 149,850,000, you now have confirmed figures for the high-income exemption.
If you are on E-7 and renewing before March 2027: The same special GNI rate applies at your renewal. Ensure your salary still meets the applicable minimum subcategory threshold — separate from the GNI figure.
If you are planning an E-7 application in H2 2026 or later: Watch for the new dedicated wage system announcement. It may change the minimum salary requirements significantly. Subscribe to KoreaWorkExpert updates to be notified when details are released.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Policy details may be updated — always verify current requirements with the Hi Korea official portal or a licensed immigration attorney before making visa decisions.