South Korea Work Visa
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    South Korea work visa

    South Korea work visa: the E-7, salary, and process

    The main South Korea work visa for Indian professionals is the E-7, the specified occupation visa for skilled and professional roles. It is employer-sponsored, with the Korean company applying on your behalf. There is also the D-10 job seeker visa to find a qualifying role first. The 2026 salary floors changed from 1 February.

    Check your eligibility free
    See the E-7 route
    ✓ E-7 covers most professional roles
    ✓ Path to residence and permanent residence
    ✓ No nationality restriction on the E-7

    Data current as of June 2026

    Quick facts for the South Korea work visa

    Use these key numbers as a starting point. The Ministry of Justice updated the E-7 salary floors for 2026, and the process is employer-led through Korea’s immigration service. The figure that matters depends on your E-7 type. Always confirm the figure for your own case before you rely on it.

    E-7The main professional work visa
    CCVIEmployer approval before you apply
    D-10Job seeker visa to find a role first
    20% capLimit on foreign staff for some roles

    What the South Korea work visa is

    South Korea uses a category-based visa system, run by the Ministry of Justice through the Korea Immigration Service. For skilled Indian professionals, the main route is the E-7, the specified occupation visa, which covers most professional and technical roles and has no nationality restriction.

    The process is employer-led. Your Korean employer first obtains a Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance, the CCVI, before you apply at the consulate. You cannot start the application yourself from abroad. If you do not yet have an offer, the D-10 job seeker visa lets you come to look for a qualifying role.

    South Korea is a major advanced economy and a world leader in technology, semiconductors, electronics, and manufacturing, with strong salaries and a clear path from a work visa to residence and permanent residence. Choosing the right route and meeting the salary floor are the most important early steps. We assess this for you before you start.

    Not sure if you qualify for the E-7 route?

    Get a clear eligibility check on your qualifications, your job offer, and the 2026 salary floors before you commit time to an application.

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    The E-7, the main professional route

    The E-7 is the work visa most Indian professionals use for Korea. The key points for 2026 are below.

    • It is for foreign nationals with specialised skills or expertise in designated occupations, and has no nationality restriction.
    • It is divided into sub-categories, with E-7-1 for professionals and managers and E-7-3 for skilled technicians.
    • It is employer-sponsored, so a Korean company must apply on your behalf.
    • You need qualifications, such as a relevant degree or professional experience, that match the occupation.
    • The salary must meet the 2026 floor for your sub-category, set by the Ministry of Justice.
    • It is tied to your job, and a change of employer needs prior reporting and approval.

    Because the E-7 is the gateway for professionals and approval rates are high for well-documented cases, getting the salary and qualifications right is what matters most. We confirm whether you qualify and prepare your file.

    Want your qualifications and offer checked?

    We confirm whether your degree, your role, and your salary meet the E-7 requirements before your employer files anything.

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    South Korea work visa salary requirements

    The Ministry of Justice sets E-7 salary floors each year, and the figures rose for 2026. Since April 2025, the same standard applies to all sponsoring companies regardless of size. The table below sets out the main figures, as minimum gross annual salary.

    South Korea E-7 salary thresholds for 2026
    Category Minimum annual salary Notes
    E-7-1 KRW 31,120,000 Professionals and managers
    E-7-2 and E-7-3 KRW 25,890,000 Semi-skilled and skilled technicians
    Effective date 1 February 2026 Announced 29 December 2025
    Company size One standard Same floor regardless of company size

    Source: Ministry of Justice, Republic of Korea, 2026. The floors are set each year, so confirm the current figure before relying on it. An offer below the floor will be refused.

    Because immigration will refuse an offer below the floor, confirm your base salary in writing before your employer files. We confirm the exact figure that applies to your South Korea work visa.

    The D-10 job seeker visa

    If you do not yet have a job offer, the D-10 job seeker visa is the way to come and search on the ground. The key points are below.

    • It is a points-based preparation visa for finding a job that qualifies for an E-series work visa.
    • It is not a work visa, so you cannot take regular paid work on it, though approved internships may be allowed.
    • Immigration now expects a clear, sincere job-search plan, so preparation matters.
    • Once you sign a qualifying contract, you change status to an E-7 without leaving Korea.
    • It suits graduates and experienced professionals who want to interview while in the country.

    The D-10 removes the need to line up an offer before you arrive, which makes interviews and networking far easier. We check whether you qualify and prepare both the D-10 and the later switch to an E-7.

    How the South Korea work visa process works

    The process is employer-led and runs through Korea’s immigration service and the consulate. The flow below shows the usual path for an Indian applicant on the E-7.

    Step by step South Korea work visa process
    Step What happens
    1. Contract You sign an employment contract meeting the 2026 salary floor.
    2. CCVI filing Your employer files for the CCVI at the local immigration office in Korea.
    3. CCVI number Once approved, you receive the CCVI number from your employer.
    4. Consular visa You apply at the Korean consulate in India with the CCVI number and documents.
    5. Enter Korea You travel to Korea within the visa validity period.
    6. ARC within 90 days You register for your Alien Registration Card at the local immigration office.

    The employer drives the substantive review through the CCVI, then the consulate issues the visa. We guide both your employer and you, and make sure your ARC is registered within the 90-day window.

    Want your file checked before it is submitted?

    A complete file, with apostilled documents and the salary floor met, is the best way to avoid avoidable delays. We review every document with you first.

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    South Korea work visa fees and processing time

    Government fees are modest, split between the consular visa and the cards issued in Korea. Processing times are estimates and depend on a complete file. The table below sets out the main figures for 2026.

    South Korea work visa indicative costs and timelines for 2026
    Item Amount or time Notes
    Consular visa fee Around USD 60 to 100 Varies by entries and nationality
    Alien Registration Card Around KRW 30,000 Within 90 days of arrival
    Change of status Around KRW 130,000 For example, D-10 to E-7
    End-to-end Around 3 to 7 weeks For a well-prepared E-7

    Source: Korea Immigration Service and Korean consulates, 2026. Fees and times are set by the Korean authorities and can change. Apostille, translation, and any health check costs are extra.

    Extra costs include document apostille, certified translation, and any health check. We give you a clear, full cost picture for your situation so there are no surprises later in the process.

    From work visa to residence and PR

    South Korea offers a clear, if structured, path from a work visa toward permanent residence. The key points are below.

    • Many E-7 holders move first to the F-2 points-based residence visa, which scores age, education, Korean language, and income.
    • The F-2 gives far more freedom, including the ability to change jobs without a new work visa each time.
    • From there you can apply for F-5 permanent residence after meeting the time, income, and integration criteria.
    • For most E-7 holders the path to permanent residence is around five to six years in total.
    • A TOPIK Korean language level earns valuable points and helps at several stages.
    • Permanent residence is not citizenship, which is a separate naturalisation process.

    So a well-managed E-7 can become the first step toward settling in Korea. We map a realistic long-term plan so you know what to expect at each stage.

    Why professionals choose South Korea

    South Korea is a major advanced economy and a global leader in semiconductors, electronics, automotive, shipbuilding, and technology, with strong salaries, excellent infrastructure, and a dynamic culture. It has growing demand for skilled foreign professionals and a clear path from a work visa to residence and permanent residence.

    This keeps the South Korea work visa attractive for skilled Indian professionals, especially in technology and engineering. In 2026, Korea raised its E-7 salary floors and continued reforms to attract talent, including to smaller companies, so applying on the right route with a complete file matters more than ever.

    For 2026, the Ministry of Justice set the E-7 minimum annual salary at 31,120,000 won for the E-7-1 category and 25,890,000 won for the E-7-2 and E-7-3 categories, effective from 1 February 2026, with the same standard applying to all sponsoring companies regardless of size.

    Factual policy position, Ministry of Justice, Republic of Korea. E-7 specified occupation visa salary standards announced 29 December 2025, published by the Ministry of Justice and the Korea Immigration Service.

    For applicants, the takeaway is simple. A genuine offer from a Korean employer in a designated occupation, qualifications that match it, and a salary at or above the 2026 floor, with apostilled documents, give you the strongest position.

    What applicants should do next

    Start with an eligibility check to confirm the right E-7 sub-category, that your salary meets the 2026 floor, and that your qualifications match the occupation. Secure a genuine offer from a Korean employer, and confirm the employer meets the foreigner hiring ratio. Then prepare and apostille your documents before the employer files the CCVI.

    Meeting the criteria improves your chances, but the final decision rests with the Korean authorities. We help you prepare well, present your case clearly, and follow the correct steps so your application has the strongest possible footing.

    Speak with BestMigrationConsultant.com about your South Korea work visa

    Our immigration experts guide Indian professionals through every step of the South Korea work visa, from the eligibility check to the E-7, the D-10 job seeker visa, the salary floors, the CCVI, and the consular application. Call +91-7670800002 or visit BestMigrationConsultant.com to start your free assessment today.

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    South Korea work visa frequently asked questions

    What is the South Korea work visa for Indian professionals?
    The main South Korea work visa for Indian professionals is the E-7, the specified occupation visa for skilled and professional roles. It is employer-sponsored, so a Korean company applies on your behalf, and it covers most white-collar jobs. There is also the D-10 job seeker visa to come and look for a qualifying role first. BestMigrationConsultant.com checks your profile, confirms the right South Korea work visa route, and prepares your file so it meets the current rules.
    What is the E-7 visa?
    The E-7 is South Korea’s work visa for foreign nationals with specialised skills or expertise in designated occupations, and it has no nationality restriction. It is divided into sub-categories, with E-7-1 for professionals and managers, E-7-3 for skilled technicians, and E-7-4 for long-term workers transitioning through a points system. It is employer-sponsored and tied to your job. BestMigrationConsultant.com confirms which E-7 type fits your South Korea work visa.
    What is the salary requirement for the South Korea work visa?
    For 2026, the Ministry of Justice set the E-7-1 minimum annual salary at 31,120,000 won, and the E-7-2 and E-7-3 minimum at 25,890,000 won, effective from 1 February 2026. The same standard now applies to all sponsoring companies regardless of size. If your offer is below the floor, the application will be refused. BestMigrationConsultant.com confirms the salary that applies to your South Korea work visa.
    Can Indians get the E-9 visa for South Korea?
    Generally no. The E-9 visa, under the Employment Permit System for non-professional work in manufacturing, agriculture, and similar sectors, is open only to nationals of a fixed list of partner countries, and India is not currently one of them. For Indian professionals, the E-7 skilled and professional route is the main path. BestMigrationConsultant.com focuses on the routes genuinely open to Indians for a South Korea work visa, rather than ones that are not.
    What is the CCVI in the South Korea work visa process?
    The Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance, or CCVI, is the approval your Korean employer obtains from the Korea Immigration Service before you apply for the visa. The employer files it at the local immigration office, often through the HiKorea portal, and once approved you receive a CCVI number to use at the Korean consulate. You cannot start the process yourself from abroad. BestMigrationConsultant.com guides the CCVI stage of your South Korea work visa.
    What is the D-10 job seeker visa?
    The D-10 is a points-based job seeker visa that lets qualified people stay in Korea to look for a job that qualifies for an E-series work visa, or prepare a start-up. It is a preparation visa, not a work visa, so you cannot take regular paid work on it. Once you sign a qualifying contract, you change status to an E-7 without leaving Korea. BestMigrationConsultant.com checks whether the D-10 fits your South Korea work visa plan.
    Who is eligible for the South Korea work visa?
    For the E-7, you generally need a job offer from a Korean employer in a designated occupation, qualifications such as a relevant degree or professional experience that match the role, and a salary meeting the 2026 floor. The employer must also meet the rules for hiring foreign workers, including a cap on the share of foreign staff. BestMigrationConsultant.com runs an eligibility check and tells you clearly whether you qualify for a South Korea work visa.
    How does the South Korea work visa process work?
    The usual path is: you sign an employment contract meeting the salary floor, your employer files for the CCVI at the local immigration office, you receive the CCVI number, you apply at the Korean consulate in India, you enter Korea within the visa validity, and you apply for your Alien Registration Card within 90 days of arrival. BestMigrationConsultant.com guides you and your employer through every step of your South Korea work visa.
    What is the Alien Registration Card?
    The Alien Registration Card, or ARC, is the official ID for foreign residents in Korea. You must apply for it at the local immigration office within 90 days of arriving, and missing the window can mean a fine and complications later. Without the ARC you cannot easily open a bank account, get a long-term phone plan, or use national health insurance. BestMigrationConsultant.com makes sure your ARC is arranged on time as part of your South Korea work visa.
    How long does the South Korea work visa take?
    For a well-prepared E-7, the end-to-end process usually takes around three to seven weeks, covering the employer’s CCVI filing, the consular visa, and entry. After arrival, you have 90 days to register for your ARC. These are estimates and depend on a complete file and the immigration office workload. BestMigrationConsultant.com helps you submit a complete file, which is the best way to avoid avoidable delays on your South Korea work visa.
    How much does the South Korea work visa cost?
    The consular visa fee is usually around 60 to 100 US dollars depending on entries and nationality, the Alien Registration Card costs around 30,000 won, and a change of status of stay costs around 130,000 won. There are extra costs for document apostille, certified translation, and any health check or professional support. BestMigrationConsultant.com gives you a clear, full cost picture for your South Korea work visa so there are no surprises.
    How long is the South Korea work visa valid?
    The E-7 is usually issued for one to three years initially, and it can be extended at the local immigration office before it expires, provided you still meet that year’s salary and other conditions. Long-term holders can move toward residence and permanent residence statuses. Validity depends on your contract and category. BestMigrationConsultant.com explains validity, renewal, and the long-term path for your South Korea work visa.
    Can I change employers on a South Korea work visa?
    Yes, but not freely. The E-7 is tied to a specific employer and occupation, so before you change jobs you must report to and get approval from the immigration office, and the new employer must also meet the E-7 sponsorship rules. Changing jobs without reporting can lead to problems at renewal. BestMigrationConsultant.com guides you through a compliant change so your South Korea work visa stays valid throughout the move.
    Can I bring my family on a South Korea work visa?
    Yes. Your spouse and children can apply for the F-3 dependent visa, which lets them live in Korea for the same period as your E-7. The F-3 does not by itself allow your family to work, though they may change status later if they qualify. BestMigrationConsultant.com prepares the family applications alongside your own so your move to Korea stays coordinated for your South Korea work visa.
    What is the foreigner hiring ratio?
    For many occupations on the national employment protection list, a company can hire foreign nationals only up to about 20 percent of its Korean employee headcount, so a very small company may not be able to sponsor an E-7 until it has enough local staff. This protects local jobs. BestMigrationConsultant.com helps confirm the employer meets this ratio before filing for your South Korea work visa.
    Does the South Korea work visa lead to permanent residence?
    Yes. Many E-7 holders move first to the F-2 points-based residence visa, which needs a points score across age, education, Korean language, and income, and then to F-5 permanent residence after meeting the time, income, and integration criteria, often around five to six years in total. Rules are set by the authorities and can change. BestMigrationConsultant.com maps a realistic long-term plan for your South Korea work visa.
    Do I need to speak Korean for the work visa?
    For the E-7 itself, Korean is not strictly required, and many specialist and technical roles operate in English, but Korean ability helps in daily life and at work. For the points-based residence and permanent residence routes, a TOPIK Korean language level earns valuable points and can be very helpful. BestMigrationConsultant.com explains where Korean matters on the path from your South Korea work visa to settlement.
    What if my South Korea work visa is refused?
    A refusal usually points to a salary below the 2026 floor, the employer failing the foreigner ratio, qualifications that do not match the occupation, missing apostille on documents, or an incomplete file. Many issues can be fixed and the application resubmitted. Acting correctly matters. BestMigrationConsultant.com reviews the reason, identifies the gap, and helps you decide on the strongest next step for your South Korea work visa.
    How can BestMigrationConsultant.com help me with the South Korea work visa?
    BestMigrationConsultant.com guides Indian professionals through the full South Korea work visa journey. We run an eligibility check, confirm the right route such as the E-7 or the D-10 job seeker visa, check the 2026 salary thresholds and the foreigner ratio, build your document checklist, and help your employer with the CCVI and your consular application. We also support family applications and the path to residence. Call +91-7670800002 or visit BestMigrationConsultant.com to start your assessment and move ahead with a clear, compliant plan.

    Written and reviewed by

    Author: Sairam, Senior Immigration Consultant, BestMigrationConsultant.com

    Reviewed by: Sairam, Senior Immigration Consultant, BestMigrationConsultant.com

    BestMigrationConsultant.com guides Indian professionals on overseas work, study, and PR pathways. Rules and fees are set by governments and can change at any time. This page is guidance and application support, not legal advice.

    Last reviewed: June 2026