Working in South Korea through the Employment Permit System
Most foreign factory, farm, fishing and construction workers come to Korea on the E-9 visa, arranged government to government through the Employment Permit System (EPS). After years of work, some move to the E-7-4 skilled worker visa and can stay long term. Figures as of October 2026.
South Korea: route to permanent residence (F-5)
Study in Korea, find a professional job on an E-7 visa, then move to points-based residence and permanent residence.
- D-2Korean degree
- D-10Job-seeker visaTime to find work after graduating
- E-7Professional work visaJob must match an eligible occupation
- F-2-7Points-based residence
- F-5Permanent residenceRequirements set by the Ministry of Justice
South Korea: route to permanent residence (F-5)
Pass the EPS-TOPIK at home, work on an E-9 permit, then move to the E-7-4 skilled worker visa for long-term stay.
- EPS-TOPIKKorean test at homeThrough your country's official EPS centre
- E-9Work permitUp to 4 years 10 months
- E-7-4Skilled worker visaAfter 4+ years, 200 of 300 points; renewable, family can join
- F-2 / F-5Long-term or permanent residencePossible later if you meet income and residence requirements
Rules as of October 2026. Sources: HiKorea, SeoulStart E-7-4 guide. Always confirm with the official immigration authority.
Visa types and requirements
Pick a visa to see its language, education and experience requirements, how long it lasts and where it leads.
D-2 Student visa
- Language
- Set by the university, often TOPIK level 3 or an English score
- Education
- Admission to a Korean university
- Experience
- None
- Other conditions
- Proof of funds
- Length of stay
- Length of the program
- Leads to
- D-10 job seeker or E-7
E-9 Non-professional employment (EPS)
- Language
- Pass the EPS-TOPIK Korean test
- Education
- None
- Experience
- Skills test in some industries
- Other conditions
- From a country with an EPS agreement; usually aged 18–39; no serious criminal record
- Length of stay
- 3 years, extendable to 4 years 10 months
- Leads to
- E-7-4
E-7 Professional employment
- Language
- As the job requires
- Education
- Usually a related degree, or long experience in the field
- Experience
- Depends on degree level
- Other conditions
- Job must be on the eligible occupation list; salary floor applies
- Length of stay
- Up to 3 years per grant, renewable
- Leads to
- F-2-7 points-based residence
E-7-4 Skilled worker (from E-9)
- Language
- At least 50 points for Korean (TOPIK 2 or KIIP stage 2)
- Education
- None required; adds points
- Experience
- 4+ years on E-9, E-10 or H-2 in the last 10 years
- Other conditions
- 200 of 300 points; employer recommendation; contract of ₩26M+ a year
- Length of stay
- Renewable; family can join
- Leads to
- F-2 or F-5 if requirements are met
F-5 Permanent residence
- Language
- Korean ability, often KIIP completion
- Education
- Depends on the route
- Experience
- Years of lawful stay on qualifying visas
- Other conditions
- Income and character requirements set by the Ministry of Justice
- Length of stay
- Permanent
- Leads to
- Naturalisation possible later
October 2026 rules. Sources: HiKorea, EPS, SeoulStart E-7-4 guide. Confirm with the official immigration authority before applying.
Key numbers
- E-9 work permit quota for 2026 80,000 70,000 allocated by industry plus 10,000 held back for flexible allocation. Down 38% from 2025. Source: Newsis, reporting the Foreign Workforce Policy Committee decision (Dec 22, 2025)
- Seasonal worker (E-8) quota for 2026 109,000 Up 13,000 from 2025. Farm and fishing work arranged through local governments. Source: Newsis (Dec 22, 2025)
- Minimum wage in 2026 ₩10,320 per hour ₩2,156,880 per month at 209 paid hours (40 hours a week plus paid weekly rest). Applies to E-9 workers too. Source: Minimum Wage Commission, 2026 decision
- E-7-4 skilled worker quota for 2026 33,000 The visa E-9 workers can move to for long-term stay. Down from 35,000 in 2025. Source: SeoulStart E-7-4 guide (summarising the Ministry of Justice notice)
E-9 workers by nationality
Workers at EPS employers, Sample.
Where they work
By province, Sample.
Moving from E-9 to E-7-4
The E-7-4 visa lets experienced workers stay without the E-9 time limit. You need all of the following.
- At least 4 years on E-9, E-10 or H-2 within the last 10 years, currently employed and registered
- A recommendation from an employer you have worked for at least 1 year
- A contract of 2 years or more paying at least ₩26,000,000 a year (₩25,890,000 in farming, livestock, fishing and coastal shipping)
- 200 points or more out of 300, including at least 50 for income and at least 50 for Korean language
| Points factor | Maximum | How points are given |
|---|---|---|
| Average income, last 2 years | 120 | ₩25–30M: 50 · ₩30–35M: 65 · ₩35–40M: 80 · ₩40–45M: 95 · ₩45–50M: 110 · ₩50M+: 120 |
| Korean language | 120 | TOPIK 2 or KIIP stage 2: 50 · TOPIK 3: 80 · TOPIK 4 or higher: 120 |
| Age | 60 | 19–26: 40 · 27–33: 60 · 34–40: 30 · 41+: 10 |
| Bonus items | – | Employer recommendation 50 · government recommendation 30 · 3+ years at current workplace 20 · 3+ years in a population-decline or rural area 20 · Korean certificate or degree 20 · Korean driver's licence 10 |
Source: SeoulStart E-7-4 guide, citing the Ministry of Justice notice of June 1, 2026. Rules change often, so confirm on HiKorea before applying.