E-7 Occupation Codes: Which Job Titles Qualify for Sponsorship and How to Find Yours

Korea's E-7 visa (특정활동비자, teukjeong hwalttong bija) covers a published list of approved occupations across four sub-categories. The Ministry of Justice's English summaries reference about 87 codes; recent administrative additions push the count higher, and private administrative-agent compilations count 94. Your employer cannot sponsor you for E-7 unless your job title and duties map to one of the approved codes. This guide lists the codes, explains the 2026 salary thresholds, and tells you how to find the code that fits your role.

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The E-7 framework

The E-7 (특정활동, teukjeong hwalttong, "Specially Designated Activities") visa is Korea's employer-sponsored professional work visa. It covers a closed list of occupations. If your job title is not on the list, there is no E-7 sponsorship path for it.

The Ministry of Justice (법무부, Beobmubu) administers the system through the Korea Immigration Service (출입국·외국인청, Chulipguk Oegugin-cheong). Applications go through HiKorea (하이코리아, hikorea.go.kr).

The four sub-categories

E-7 is organized into four distinct sub-categories. The sub-category determines your salary threshold, whether ratio caps apply, and what eligibility criteria you must meet. The total code count is debated (around 87 in Ministry of Justice summaries, up to 94 in private administrative-agent compilations); the sub-category breakdown below follows the yoonhjs.com 2026-01-30 compilation.

The Ministry of Justice's own summary describes the professional group as 67 codes, the semi-professional group as around 9 to 10 codes, and the general-skilled group as around 11 codes, while private compilations that fold in the most recent additions list more general-skilled codes. The exact count in each sub-category shifts with each administrative update, so treat the figures above as a working map and verify your specific code at hikorea.go.kr.

Why the count is disputed (87 vs 94). The Ministry of Justice's published English summaries still reference about 87 codes, and some 2025 materials repeat that figure. Recent government additions between August 2024 and January 2026 raised the count: power transmission electrician (76231, August 2024), shipbuilding welder (7430, October 2024), ship electrician (76212, October 2024), automobile body/paint worker (S75104, October 2025), and halal slaughter specialist (7103, January 2026). Private administrative-agent compilations such as the yoonhjs.com 2026-01-30 manual put the total at 94, but no single Ministry of Justice gazette states 94, so treat that as a credentialed private estimate rather than a confirmed official figure. A mold-making technician (금형원) code was announced as a pilot under review (February 10, 2026) and is not yet a finalized addition. Verify the current count at hikorea.go.kr.

Annual quotas

E-7-1, E-7-2, and E-7-3 do not operate under strict national annual caps. E-7-4 does.

E-7-4 quota for 2026: 33,000 workers. This was reduced from 35,000 in 2025, announced by the Ministry of Justice on February 10, 2026 (as of 2026, verify current quota at immigration.go.kr). Within that quota, the Ministry of Justice runs more than one selection track. The general points-based applicant track is selected quarterly by highest score, while employer-recommendation and ministry-referral allocations run on their own schedules. Do not assume a single year-round window; confirm the current selection schedule for your track at hikorea.go.kr before you plan around a deadline.

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The E-7 occupation codes

The table below is organized by sub-category and sector to help you locate your role quickly. The source for this list is the administrative law blog yoonhjs.com, cross-referenced with IMMIKOREA, current as of January 2026.

Important accuracy note. This list is compiled from private immigration consultancy sources, not directly from the Ministry of Justice official gazette (법무부 관보). The Ministry of Justice's own published summaries reference about 87 codes, while these private compilations count 94; the difference reflects recent additions that have not all appeared in a single official list. S-prefixed codes (for example S2353, S110) are Ministry of Justice internal designations that vary across sources, and the final code printed on a visa may use the parent code. Verify any code against the official Ministry of Justice occupation designation notice at hikorea.go.kr or immigration.go.kr before relying on it for an application.

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E-7-1: Specialized Professional Personnel (전문인력), 67 codes

E-7-1 is the track for white-collar professionals. Most D-2 graduates, D-10 job seekers, and foreign professionals transferring from overseas will apply under one of these 67 codes.

Salary minimum (2026): 31,120,000 KRW per year. No Korean/foreign worker ratio cap applies to most E-7-1 codes (see callout below for the codes most often flagged for the ratio).

Managers (관리자), 15 codes

IT and Digital (정보통신 분야), 10 codes

Note: Code 1350 (IT Manager) is listed in the Managers section above. It is repeated here for discovery purposes only.

Engineering (공학 분야), 15 codes

Science and Research (과학·연구 분야), 5 codes

Finance, Legal, and Administration (금융·법무·행정), 5 codes

Sales, Marketing, and Business Development (영업·마케팅·사업개발), 7 codes

Technology Management (기술경영), 1 code

Design, Arts, and Media (디자인·예술·미디어), 4 codes

Note: Code 1340 is also listed in the Managers section. Listed here for cross-reference.

Education (교육 분야), 4 codes

Healthcare (의료·보건), 1 code

Language Services (언어 서비스), 1 code

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E-7-2: Semi-Professional Personnel (준전문인력), about 10 codes

All E-7-2 occupations are subject to the 5:1 Korean/foreign worker ratio cap. The employer must have at least 5 Korean workers enrolled in employment insurance for 3 months or more for each foreign E-7-2 worker.

Salary minimum (2026): 25,890,000 KRW per year.

Office workers (사무종사자), 5 codes

Service workers (서비스종사자), 5 codes

Note: Elderly Care Worker (요양보호사, code 42111) was added in 2024. The yoonhjs.com manual places it under E-7-2, but some administrative agents classify it under E-7-3. Confirm the assigned sub-category and the exact addition date at hikorea.go.kr before drafting documents.

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E-7-3: General Skilled Personnel (일반기능인력), about 11 to 14 codes

All E-7-3 occupations are subject to the 5:1 ratio cap. E-7-3 was significantly expanded between 2024 and 2026, adding several skilled-trades codes. This expansion reflects Korea's acute labor shortage in skilled trades industries. The exact count varies by source as new codes are folded in; verify the current list at hikorea.go.kr.

Salary minimum (2026): 25,890,000 KRW per year.

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E-7-4: Skilled Functional Personnel (숙련기능인력), 3 codes

E-7-4 is the conversion track for long-term E-9, E-10, or H-2 workers (see Section 4 below for the residence requirement). It uses the K-Point scoring system. The 5:1 ratio does not apply to E-7-4 workers, and they are not counted in the foreign worker headcount for ratio purposes.

Salary minimum (2026): 26,000,000 KRW per year. A lower agriculture and fisheries floor of around 25,000,000 KRW appeared in 2025 guidance, but Ministry of Justice Public Notice No. 2025-406 states a flat 26,000,000 KRW for E-7-4 with no agriculture carve-out visible in the summary, so the lower figure is not confirmed for 2026. Verify the agriculture and fisheries threshold at hikorea.go.kr before applying.

Root industries (뿌리산업, ppuri sanup) are Korea's foundational manufacturing processes: casting, forging, welding, heat treatment, surface treatment, and mold-making. Workers in these sectors qualify under code S740.

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New E-7 sub-codes: pilot phases (2025-2026)

Two additional E-7 tracks are in pilot or recently launched phases.

E-7-M (K-CORE visa, 케이코어 비자): For foreign graduates of designated Korean 2-year junior colleges in manufacturing programs. According to secondary reporting (Jobploy, KOWORK), the pilot launched with the first cohort admitted in early 2026, with actual E-7-M visas issued after graduation and the pilot running through 2027. Confirm the current status at hikorea.go.kr.

Top-Tier Visa (employment track): Part of the Top-Tier Visa system, effective April 2, 2025. The employment track grants immediate F-2 long-term residency rather than an E-7 work visa. See the Top-Tier Visa section below for full details.

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2026 salary thresholds

The 2026 salary thresholds were announced by the Ministry of Justice on December 29, 2025 through Public Notice No. 2025-406 (법무부 공고 제2025-406호). They are effective from February 1 through December 31, 2026.

The E-7-1 threshold increased by 2,450,000 KRW from 2025. The E-7-2/E-7-3 threshold increased by 740,000 KRW.

The 31,120,000 KRW E-7-1 floor is set directly by Ministry of Justice Public Notice No. 2025-406. It is not a fixed percentage of the most recent year's per capita GNI; the published threshold is the operative figure for applications. Some categories of employer (small and medium enterprises, venture firms, and non-metropolitan mid-sized companies) have historically qualified for a reduced floor of roughly 70% of GNI. Confirm with the relevant immigration office whether a reduced floor still applies to your employer for 2026 before assuming the standard figure.

(Thresholds as of 2026. Verify current figures at hikorea.go.kr or immigration.go.kr before submitting any application.)

Annual salary (연봉) vs guaranteed fixed salary (고정급)

This distinction is one of the most common reasons for rejection.

What counts: The guaranteed fixed annual salary stated in your employment contract. This is the number the employer commits to pay you regardless of performance.

What does not count: Performance bonuses, commissions, stock options, incentives, housing allowances paid separately, or any other variable compensation.

If your guaranteed base salary is 28,000,000 KRW and your expected total compensation including bonuses is 35,000,000 KRW, only the 28,000,000 KRW counts toward the threshold. For E-7-1 in 2026, that application cannot proceed.

The employment contract (표준근로계약서, pyojun geunno gyeyakseo) must state the guaranteed annual KRW figure clearly. Immigration officers look at the contract, not pay stubs or offer letters.

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How to find your occupation code

Finding the right code is the most important step in the E-7 process. A wrong code, even a close one, is a documented rejection reason.

Step 1: Define your primary job function

Write down the single thing that takes most of your working time and that your employer is primarily paying you to do. Ignore secondary tasks. Immigration evaluates primary function.

If your role is "Product Manager who also writes some code," your primary function is product management. The relevant code is 2731 (Product Planning Expert), not 2223 (Application Software Developer).

If your role is "data analyst who also writes research reports," your primary function depends on your degree and where most of your time goes. If you have a computer science or statistics background and spend most of your time on data modeling, code 2231 (Data Specialist) is the better match. If you have a research background and the output is reports for decision-makers, code 2122 (Social Science Researcher) or 2734 (Research Expert) may be closer.

Step 2: Check your qualifications against the code

Each E-7 code has a qualification standard. For E-7-1, the standards published in the Ministry of Justice E-7 guidance generally require one of the following:

• Master's degree or higher in a field related to the occupation
• Bachelor's degree plus 1 year of work experience in the field after graduation
• 5 or more years of relevant work experience (no degree required)
• Annual salary exceeding approximately 149,865,000 KRW (waives degree and experience requirements)

Some occupations set their own education and experience rules, so confirm your specific code's standard at hikorea.go.kr. Your degree field must be related to the occupation code. A Bachelor of Fine Arts cannot automatically qualify as a 2223 Application Software Developer. A Bachelor of Computer Science can. If there is a gap between your degree and the code, the employer needs to document the connection carefully in the hiring justification letter (고용사유서, gogyong sayo-seo).

Step 3: Verify the code at the official source

Third-party lists, including this guide, are compiled from secondary sources. Before your employer drafts any documents, verify the code at:

• HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr): search under Visa Information / E-7 occupation codes
• Korea Immigration Service (immigration.go.kr): occupation designation notice section

The MoJ publishes the authoritative code list in Korean. If your occupation code is not clearly there, do not proceed based on a third-party source.

Step 4: Match the code to the job description

The job title in your employment contract, the duties described in the hiring justification letter, and the occupation code must all point to the same role. A mismatch between any two of these three elements is a rejection risk.

The employer writes the hiring justification letter. Give them the occupation code number and the official Korean and English titles. Ask them to describe your duties using the language of that code's official definition.

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Ministry recommendation letters

What they are and when you need them

A government ministry recommendation letter (고용추천서, gogyong chucheon-seo) is a letter from the relevant sectoral ministry endorsing a specific foreign hire for a specific occupation. It is separate from the immigration application and must be obtained before the main application is submitted.

As of February 2026, 26 occupations require a ministry recommendation letter. The 18 codes documented in this guide are confirmed from current sources. Eight additional occupations are on the MoJ list as of February 2026 but the full details are still being verified against Korean-language MoJ guidance. If your occupation might require a letter, check the current full list at hikorea.go.kr.

The 18 documented codes requiring ministry recommendation letters

The full 26-occupation list is being verified against MoJ Korean-language guidance. If your code may require a recommendation, check the current list at hikorea.go.kr.

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K-Point system: the E-7-4 scoring framework

The K-Point system is used exclusively for E-7-4 eligibility. It does not apply to E-7-1, E-7-2, or E-7-3.

Who uses E-7-4

E-7-4 is for workers who entered Korea on E-9, E-10, or H-2 visas. The Ministry of Justice's published skilled-worker points-system page sets the baseline residence requirement at 5 years, which can be reduced to 4 years for applicants who complete level 3 or higher of the Social Integration Program (사회통합프로그램). The conversion path runs through the Ministry of Justice's skilled-worker points system (숙련기능인력 점수제), set out in Ministry of Justice administrative announcements rather than a single statute. Confirm the current eligibility rules at hikorea.go.kr.

E-7-4 requires employer sponsorship. The employer must currently be employing you.

The K-Point scoring table

Total points available: 300. Minimum to qualify: 200.

The bracket values below are drawn from the published K-Point manual circulated by Korean immigration administrative agents (Korea Work Expert, March 2026 Manual). The Ministry of Justice publishes the operative scoring tables as attachments to its skilled-worker points-system notices; the 200-point total minimum and the section minimums match the Ministry of Justice page, but the exact bracket values are administrative and change, so verify the current table at hikorea.go.kr before you rely on a specific score.

Income scoring (minimum 50 points required)

Korean language scoring (minimum 50 points required)

Age scoring

Employer recommendation bonus

All qualifying E-7-4 applicants receive a mandatory 50-point employer recommendation bonus. This is not optional.

Additional bonus points are available for: central ministry designation (+30), regional government designation (+30), 3 or more years with the same employer (+20), rural area work (+20), technical certificate or Korean university degree (+20), and Korean driver's license (+10). These bonus structures are reviewed periodically. Verify current bonus categories at hikorea.go.kr before your application.

Source: Korea Work Expert K-Point table citing the March 2026 Manual.

E-7-4 employer quota

Korean immigration guidance lets employers in most industries employ a capped share of their Korean workforce as E-7-4 workers, with a higher cap in depopulation areas and root industries (뿌리산업). E-7-4 workers are not counted within the standard foreign worker ratio that applies to E-7-2 and E-7-3. The exact percentage caps are set administratively and vary by sector and company size; confirm your employer's cap at hikorea.go.kr.

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The 5:1 ratio rule

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K-Tech Pass vs standard E-7

K-Tech Pass and the E-7 visa serve different populations. Confusing them leads to wasted time or a missed opportunity.

K-Tech Pass (케이테크패스) is administered by KOTRA's Global Talent Center. Per secondary reporting and KOTRA's program description, it targets senior researchers and engineers in 8 strategic sectors: semiconductors, displays, secondary batteries, biotechnology, robotics, defense, artificial intelligence, and advanced mobility.

K-Tech Pass does not issue an E-7 visa. It grants F-2 long-term residency directly, with an F-5 permanent residency pathway available after 3 years. Reported benefits for K-Tech Pass holders include a 50% income tax reduction for up to 10 years, international school enrollment for children, and a fast processing window through KOTRA.

Per KOTRA's official program description, core eligibility includes a master's or PhD from a globally top-100 university, at least 3 years of experience at one of the world's 500 largest companies (Global 500), and a high-tech industry salary (around 3 times the per capita GNI, approximately 149,865,000 KRW or above), with employment at a Korean advanced-industry firm in one of the covered sectors.

Verify K-Tech Pass criteria directly with KOTRA before relying on this section. Eligibility details and the exact mix of degree, experience, and salary requirements can change. KOTRA's official page is kotra.or.kr/gtc_eng/subList/41000060003 (Korean: kotra.or.kr/gtc_kor/subList/41000058003).

For everyone else: E-7-1. If you are a foreign professional working in Korea in a white-collar role, E-7-1 is your track. You do not need a top-100 university degree or 8 years of experience. You need your role to match one of 67 codes, a qualified employer willing to sponsor, and a guaranteed salary at or above 31,120,000 KRW per year for 2026.

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Top-Tier Visa

The Top-Tier Visa (탑티어 비자, tabttieo bija) was announced in early 2025 and took effect April 2, 2025. It is documented here because some E-7-1 candidates may be considering both tracks simultaneously.

This is the single most important point to get right: the Top-Tier Visa's employment track does not grant an E-7 work visa. According to the government announcement (Korea.net), it grants immediate F-2 long-term residency to the applicant and family, with an F-5 permanent residency pathway after 3 years. Some secondary sources describe an "E-7-T" sub-code as part of a three-part structure, but that label is inconsistent and is not what the primary government announcement says. Confirm the current outcome with the Korea Immigration Service at 1345 before relying on it.

Who qualifies

The government announcement describes the employment track as requiring all three of the following:

1. A master's or doctoral degree from a globally top-100 university. Korea's announcements point to global top-100 rankings, with QS World University Rankings and U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings the rankings most commonly cited; confirm which rankings apply with the Korea Immigration Service.
2. 8 years of relevant work experience, including 3 years at a Fortune Global 500 company.
3. Annual income of approximately 149,865,000 KRW (3 times the 2024 Bank of Korea per capita GNI). This is the same 3x GNI threshold used for other high-income waivers throughout the E-7 system.

Who it is not for

The Top-Tier bar is high by design. Most foreign professionals working in Korea do not meet all three criteria. If you lack the Fortune Global 500 background or the 8-year experience threshold, the standard E-7-1 process applies.

The job-seeker track (D-10-T)

Recent graduates of qualifying top-100 universities who do not yet have a Korean job offer can apply for the D-10-T job-seeker track. This provides a 2-year legal stay to find employment in Korea in an advanced technology sector, without needing a prior job offer.

Covered sectors and 2026 expansion

Original covered sectors (announced 2025): semiconductors, displays, secondary batteries, biotechnology, robotics, and defense.

Secondary reporting (KPMG GMS Flash Alert 2026-080, March 26, 2026) describes the Top-Tier Visa expanding to include STEM professors and researchers. Verify current sector coverage at immigration.go.kr or by calling 1345 before relying on any sector list.

University eligibility

No published English-language list of the specific qualifying top-100 universities exists. Verify your institution's status directly with the Korea Immigration Service at immigration.go.kr or by calling 1345 (weekdays, extended hours, available in Korean, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and other languages).

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Common mistakes and rejection reasons

The following rejection patterns are documented by immigration consultancy sources. They are not edge cases. They are the most frequent causes of E-7 application failure.

1. Occupation code mismatch

The employer assigns a job title based on HR convention rather than the official E-7 code list. "Business Development Manager" does not appear in the code list. "Management/Business Diagnostic Expert" (2715) or "Product Planning Expert" (2731) might fit, but the employer must make that case explicitly. If the immigration officer cannot find your job title in the code list, the application stops.

Fix it: Confirm the code before any documents are drafted. Give the employer the code number and official Korean title. Ask them to use code-aligned language in the employment contract and hiring justification letter.

2. Salary below threshold in the contract

The employment contract shows a total package that exceeds the threshold, but the guaranteed base salary is below it. Variable compensation does not count.

Fix it: Make sure the guaranteed fixed annual salary (고정급, gojeonggeup) is stated in KRW at or above the threshold in the signed employment contract before submission.

3. Weak hiring justification letter (고용사유서)

The employer writes a one-paragraph letter that says the candidate is qualified and they need them. Immigration requires specific reasons why a Korean national could not fill the role and what specific skills the foreign candidate brings. Vague letters are rejected.

Fix it: The letter must be 1 to 2 pages minimum. It should describe the specific technical skills, language abilities, or market knowledge that make a foreign hire necessary for this role. Generic templates fail.

4. Degree-to-occupation mismatch

The candidate's degree is in a different field from the occupation code. A business administration graduate applying under a software development code, or an arts graduate applying under an engineering code, will face questions about their qualification path.

Fix it: If your degree is in a different but related field, document the connection clearly. Work experience in the field (1 year post-graduation for bachelor's degree holders, or 5 years total without a degree) can substitute for a directly matching degree.

5. Ministry recommendation letter missing or delayed

For the 26 occupations that require a ministry recommendation letter, submitting the main application without it results in rejection or delay. Some employers do not know this requirement exists.

Fix it: Check whether your occupation code requires a letter at hikorea.go.kr before drafting any documents. Start the ministry letter process 1 to 3 weeks before the planned submission date.

6. Employer compliance problems

Immigration checks the employer's tax payment history and insurance enrollment records. An employer with unpaid national or local taxes, or who has not properly enrolled Korean employees in employment insurance, cannot sponsor an E-7 application.

Fix it: Ask the employer to confirm their national and local tax certificates and health/employment insurance enrollment records are current before you start the application process.

7. Workplace change without prior approval

Switching employers while on E-7 without going through the correct process creates a compliance record that can affect renewal. For some occupations, prior approval from the immigration office is required before the switch; for others, you must notify the office within a set period after the change. The new role must fall under the same occupation code category as your current E-7 approval.

Fix it: Before changing employers, confirm whether your occupation requires prior approval or post-notification by calling 1345. Do not assume the rule for your code matches a friend's experience in a different code.

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Documentation checklist

Initial E-7 application (applicant documents)

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
• Unified visa application form (available at hikorea.go.kr)
• Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증, oegugin deungnogjjeung) if already in Korea
• 1 passport-size photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm, white background, taken within 6 months)
• Highest academic degree certificate and transcript, apostilled or consular-notarized if issued outside Korea, translated into Korean or English
• Work experience certificates (apostilled if issued by a foreign institution)
• Criminal record certificate from Korea (Korean National Police Agency) and from your home country
• Occupation-specific documents: professional licenses, portfolios, certifications relevant to your E-7 code

Apostille note. If your degree is from outside Korea, factor in apostille processing time from your home country. This varies widely: many high-volume countries (Vietnam, the Philippines, China, Russia) process apostilles in 1 to 3 weeks, while others can take a month or more. Check your own country's procedure and build the time into your schedule from the start.

Initial E-7 application (employer documents)

• Business registration certificate (사업자등록증, saeopja deungnogjjeung)
• Employment contract stating the job title, occupation code number, and guaranteed annual salary in KRW
• Corporate income tax return and financial statements
• National and local tax payment certificates confirming no unpaid taxes
• Health and employment insurance enrollment records
• Hiring justification letter (고용사유서, gogyong sayo-seo): minimum 1 to 2 pages, specific to the individual and the role
• Ministry recommendation letter (고용추천서, gogyong chucheon-seo), if your occupation code requires one

E-7 renewal documents

For renewal, the same basic document set applies. You also need:

• Proof of continuous employment in the same occupation code: pay stubs, employment insurance records, or a letter from the employer confirming your role
• If changing occupation code at renewal: a new hiring justification letter explaining the role change
• If any prior immigration violations occurred during the current E-7 period: document what happened and how it was resolved

@misc{seoulstart-e7-occupation-codes,
  author = {{Seoulstart Editorial Team}},
  title = {{E-7 Occupation Codes: Which Job Titles Qualify for Sponsorship and How to Find Yours (2026)}},
  year = {2026},
  publisher = {Seoulstart},
  url = {https://seoulstart.com/guides/e7-occupation-codes},
  note = {Last updated June 21, 2026}
}