South Korea · Work
South Korea E-7-4 Skilled points
Income needed: ₩26M+ a year ≈ $20k
Skilled Worker Points System Visa (E-7-4)
Checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
E-7-4 Skilled points is a work route for South Korea. Applicants need income of ₩26M+ a year ≈ $20k. You can stay 2 yrs, renewable. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.
- Money needed
- ₩26M+ a year ≈ $20k
- Government fees
- $60
- First stay
- 2 yrs
Cost, time and long term
To apply: government fee $60; income to show ₩26M+/yr ≈ $20k. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government fees$60
- $60Visa application fee for a single-entry visa for a stay of 91 days or longer; the amount differs for some passport countries and multiple-entry visas cost more.
Shown, not spent₩26M+/yr ≈ $20k
- KRW 26,000,000 a year (≈ $19,500)Annual salary at the current workplace with an E-7-4 employment contract of at least 2 years; KRW 25 million (≈ $18,700) for agriculture, livestock, fishery and coastal-vessel workers.
RenewalRenewable
E-7-4 is granted for up to 2 years at a time and can be extended.
Permanent residenceAfter 5 years of residence
General rule: more than 5 years in D-7 to D-10, E-1 to E-7 or F-2 status, plus good conduct, ability to earn a living and basic knowledge of Korea (Korean language and society). .
CitizenshipGeneral rule: 5 years of residence
General naturalization needs 5 consecutive years of domicile in Korea and qualification for permanent residence, plus good conduct, self-support and basic knowledge of Korea.
Where to applyInside the country
This is a change of status for workers already in Korea who stayed at least 4 of the last 10 years on E-9, E-10 or H-2.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Needs earlier residence or an existing status in South Korea
- Needs a job offer from an employer in South Korea
What you'll need
Who can apply7
- The applicant is a registered foreigner who stayed at least 4 of the last 10 years on E-9, E-10 or H-2 status.
- The applicant is working normally at the current workplace.
- Special case: 3 years in a non-capital region with a metropolitan-government recommendation.
- The applicant scores at least 200 of 300 points, bonus points included.
- The applicant has at least 50 points each in the basic items average income and Korean ability.
- Excluded: a fine of KRW 1 million (≈ $750) or more, tax delinquents (who may apply after paying), 4 or more Immigration Act violations, or 3 months or more of illegal stay.
- The 2026 quota is 33,000 people; workplace-level hiring caps apply.
What you must show1
- Annual salary at the current workplace is at least KRW 26 million (≈ $19,500) (KRW 25 million (≈ $18,700) for agriculture, livestock, fishery and coastal-vessel workers).
Documents2
- An E-7-4 employment contract of at least 2 years is required.
- A recommendation from a company where the applicant has worked at least 1 year is required.
After you arrive1
- The stay is up to 2 years per grant and can be extended.
What happens at day 183
How South Korea decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 2 years at first, renewable
- Tax residence
- At least 183 days in a continuous residence in KoreaA person with no domicile who has a residence in Korea for 183 days or more is a resident
- Foreign-source income
Remittance basis (5 years)
A foreign resident whose total period of domicile or residence in Korea is five years or less in the ten years before the end of the tax period is taxed on foreign-source income only to the extent it is paid in Korea or remitted to Korea.
- Special regime
Remittance basis for foreign-source income of foreigners with 5 years or less of residence · Tax relief
All tax rules for South Korea Tax records checked
Full official text
Change of status to long-term E-7-4 for workers who spent at least 4 of the last 10 years in Korea on E-9, E-10 or H-2; selected on a points test, open only to people already in Korea and subject to an annual quota of 33,000 for 2026. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
What you must show and pay
- Income of at least KRW 26,000,000 a year (≈ $19,500) · Annual salary at the current workplace with an E-7-4 employment contract of at least 2 years; KRW 25 million (≈ $18,700) for agriculture, livestock, fishery and coastal-vessel workers. 1 2
- A fee of $60 · Visa application fee for a single-entry visa for a stay of 91 days or longer; the amount differs for some passport countries and multiple-entry visas cost more. 4
Requirements
- The applicant is a registered foreigner who stayed at least 4 of the last 10 years on E-9, E-10 or H-2 status. 1
- The applicant is working normally at the current workplace. 1
- Special case: 3 years in a non-capital region with a metropolitan-government recommendation. 1
- The applicant scores at least 200 of 300 points, bonus points included. 1
- The applicant has at least 50 points each in the basic items average income and Korean ability. 1
- Excluded: a fine of KRW 1 million (≈ $750) or more, tax delinquents (who may apply after paying), 4 or more Immigration Act violations, or 3 months or more of illegal stay. 1
- The 2026 quota is 33,000 people; workplace-level hiring caps apply. 1
- Annual salary at the current workplace is at least KRW 26 million (≈ $19,500) (KRW 25 million (≈ $18,700) for agriculture, livestock, fishery and coastal-vessel workers). 1 2
- An E-7-4 employment contract of at least 2 years is required. 1
- A recommendation from a company where the applicant has worked at least 1 year is required. 1
- The stay is up to 2 years per grant and can be extended. 1
Stay
- Up to 2 years per grant, extendable.
- First stay: up to 24 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Work
Skilled work at an eligible employer in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, livestock or fishery.
Family
Spouse and underage children can be invited as F-3 dependents. Your spouse or partner needs their own work permit to work in South Korea: permission for activities outside their status, limited to approved occupations.
Official sources
- Press release: improvements to the Skilled Worker (E-7-4) points visa, with Annex 3 points table (1 June 2026) · Ministry of Justice (Korea) · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-06-01
- Ministry of Justice Notice 2025-406: 2026 wage requirement standards for Special Occupation (E-7) status · Ministry of Justice (Korea) · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2025-12-29
- Skilled Worker Points System Visa (E-7-4) · Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-10
- Visa application fees for each visa type · Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) · checked 2026-10-11
- Visa Navigator: Customized Stay Guide for Foreign Residents · Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-12
- Visa Navigator customised stay guide for foreign residents (Korean-language edition) · Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-10
- Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Annex 1-2: long-term stay statuses (amended 27 May 2025) · National Law Information Center, Korea (law.go.kr) · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2025-05-27
- Nationality Act (Articles 5 and 6, English translation) · Korea Legislation Research Institute (Ministry of Government Legislation) · checked 2026-10-11
E-7-4 Skilled points and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-7-4 Skilled points | Needs income of ₩26M+ a year ≈ $20k | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| Job Seeker (D-10) | – | 1 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Special Occupation (E-7) | Needs income from ₩25.9M a year ≈ $19k | 3 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Top-Tier · industry job | Needs income from ₩149.9M a year ≈ $112k | 5 yr | – |
| LTR · Highly Skilled Thailand | Needs income of $80k+ a year | 5 yr, renewable | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the E-7-4 Skilled points?
Income of at least KRW 26,000,000 a year (≈ $19,500). Annual salary at the current workplace with an E-7-4 employment contract of at least 2 years; KRW 25 million (≈ $18,700) for agriculture, livestock, fishery and coastal-vessel workers. A fee of $60. Visa application fee for a single-entry visa for a stay of 91 days or longer; the amount differs for some passport countries and multiple-entry visas cost more.
How long can I stay on the E-7-4 Skilled points?
Up to 2 years per grant, extendable.
Can I work on the E-7-4 Skilled points?
Skilled work at an eligible employer in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, livestock or fishery.
Can I bring my family on the E-7-4 Skilled points?
Spouse and underage children can be invited as F-3 dependents.
Does the E-7-4 Skilled points lead to permanent residence in South Korea?
Time on the E-7-4 Skilled points counts toward permanent residence in South Korea, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. The general rule for citizenship is 5 years of residence.
Is there a tax break for E-7-4 Skilled points holders in South Korea?
Korea: remittance basis for foreign-source income of foreigners with 5 years or less of residence: A foreign resident whose total period of domicile or residence in Korea is five years or less in the ten years before the end of the tax period is taxed on foreign-source income only to the extent it is paid in Korea or remitted to Korea. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.
Tax
Special regime
Korea: remittance basis for foreign-source income of foreigners with 5 years or less of residence
Tax relief
Details
- On: Foreign-source income that is paid in Korea or remitted to Korea
- Who: Foreign national (not a Korean citizen) who is a Korean tax resident
A foreign resident whose total period of domicile or residence in Korea is five years or less in the ten years before the end of the tax period is taxed on foreign-source income only to the extent it is paid in Korea or remitted to Korea.
Taxed on
Foreign-source income that is paid in Korea or remitted to Korea; Korean-source income and all other income is taxed in full under the progressive income tax.
Who it applies to
- Foreign national (not a Korean citizen) who is a Korean tax resident.
- Sum of periods with a domicile or residence in Korea over the 10 years before the end of the taxable period is 5 years or less.
- Resident means having a domicile in Korea or a residence of 183 days or more.
Exclusions
- After more than five years of domicile or residence within the ten-year look-back, foreign-source income is taxed on a worldwide basis as for Korean residents.
- Income not paid or remitted into Korea stays outside the Korean base for qualifying foreigners.
Days in the country
- At least 183 days in continuous residence in Korea · A person with no domicile who has a residence in Korea for 183 days or more is a resident
Tax residence
The five-year test is counted over the ten years before the end of the relevant taxable period; non-residents are taxed only on Korean-source income (article 3(2)).
Visas
Applies by tax residence status and nationality, not by visa category.
Other taxes
Local income tax, VAT and social insurance apply separately; see “Optional flat tax rate for foreign employees” and “Korea progressive comprehensive income tax rates” for employment tax rates.
Checked against official sources on Change log
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≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-12 against 8 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Press release: improvements to the Skilled Worker (E-7-4) points visa, with Annex 3 points table (1 June 2026) · Ministry of Justice (Korea) · checked 2026-10-10
- Ministry of Justice Notice 2025-406: 2026 wage requirement standards for Special Occupation (E-7) status · Ministry of Justice (Korea) · checked 2026-10-10
- Skilled Worker Points System Visa (E-7-4) · Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-10
- Visa application fees for each visa type · Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) · checked 2026-10-11
- Visa Navigator: Customized Stay Guide for Foreign Residents · Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-12
- Visa Navigator customised stay guide for foreign residents (Korean-language edition) · Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-10
- Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Annex 1-2: long-term stay statuses (amended 27 May 2025) · National Law Information Center, Korea (law.go.kr) · checked 2026-10-12
- Nationality Act (Articles 5 and 6, English translation) · Korea Legislation Research Institute (Ministry of Government Legislation) · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.