Every Korean Visa, Compared: The Foreign Resident's Reference (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of every major Korean visa for foreign residents: E-7, E-9, F-2, F-3, F-4, F-6, and the new E-7-M K-CORE manufacturing track. Duration, work rights, sponsor requirements, salary minimums, family sponsorship, language requirements, and the path to F-5 permanent residency.
Korean visa comparison table
All figures verified against Korea Immigration Service rules current as of May 2026. For the deeper per-visa guide with eligibility, application, and FAQ, click any visa code in the first column.
| Visa | Purpose | Duration | Work rights | Sponsor | Path to F-5 | Family | Korean | Salary minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-9 | Non-professional employment (manufacturing, agriculture, fishery, construction, services) | 3 years (extendable to 4y10m) | Yes (employer-sponsored only) | Yes (EPS-registered employer) | Via E-7-4 long-term skilled track | Not standard (limited) | EPS-TOPIK pre-departure test | Korean minimum wage applies |
| E-7 | Skilled professional employment (86 occupation codes) | Up to 3 years, renewable 2-year increments | Yes (employer-sponsored, occupation-locked) | Yes (Korean employer with E-7 eligibility) | Direct after 5+ years of E-7 stay | F-3 dependents | None mandatory (varies by employer) | ₩31.12M/year (E-7-1, 2026) |
| E-7-M (K-CORE) | Manufacturing skilled trades via designated junior colleges | Up to 3 years, renewable | Yes (manufacturing-only) | Yes (registered manufacturing SME) | Accelerated to F-2 in 5 years (vs standard 7-10) | F-3 dependents | Functional (TOPIK 2+ recommended) | ₩31.12M/year (matches E-7) |
| F-2 | Long-term residence with broader work rights (points-based) | Up to 3 years, renewable indefinitely | Yes (full work rights, no employer sponsorship) | No | Direct after 3+ continuous F-2 years | F-1 / F-3 dependents | Functional (TOPIK 3+ for max points) | Income points reward higher salaries |
| F-3 | Dependent visa for spouses + minor children of E/F-series holders | Matches sponsor's visa, up to 3 years renewable | No (separate S-3 work permit required) | Yes (the sponsoring visa holder) | Indirect (must convert to own work or F-2 visa first) | Not applicable | None | Sponsor income threshold ₩24-30M/year (first dependent) |
| F-4 | Overseas Korean (재외동포) ethnic-Korean residence visa | 3 years, renewable indefinitely (no points test) | Yes (broad, except simple labor) | No | Direct after 2+ continuous F-4 years | F-1 dependents | None mandatory | Not applicable |
| F-6 | Spouse of Korean citizen (marriage migrant) | 1 year initial, then 2-year renewals | Yes (full work rights, no employer sponsorship) | Yes (Korean spouse) | Direct after 2+ continuous F-6 years | F-1 for parents and children | TOPIK 1 or KIIP Stage 2 for first renewal | Sponsor income threshold ₩24M+/year |
Detailed visa-by-visa breakdown
E-9
Non-Professional Employment Visa (EPS)
Korea's non-professional employment visa, issued under the Employment Permit System (EPS). The most common entry path for migrant workers from 17 sending countries into manufacturing, agriculture, fishery, construction, and service industries.
Who it's for
Workers from EPS sending countries (Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, and 12 others) hired by Korean employers in non-professional sectors.
E-9 visa detailsE-7
Skilled Professional Work Visa
Korea's skilled-professional work visa for foreign nationals in 86 designated occupation codes. The most common path for foreign-graduate hires, technical specialists, and corporate transferees in Korea.
Who it's for
Foreign professionals hired by Korean employers in one of the 86 E-7 occupation codes (E-7-1 through E-7-4) — software engineers, researchers, financial professionals, designers, technical staff, and related roles.
E-7 visa detailsE-7-M (K-CORE)
Manufacturing-track Skilled Visa
Korea's E-7-M (K-CORE) visa, launched in 2026, lets foreign graduates of 16 designated Korean junior colleges work in manufacturing and qualify for long-term residence in 5 years. Designed to fill skilled-trade gaps in Korean SMEs.
Who it's for
Foreign graduates of 16 specific Korean junior colleges (전문대학) entering manufacturing roles via the K-CORE pathway.
E-7-M (K-CORE) visa detailsF-2
Korean Resident Visa
Korea's F-2 long-term resident visa, awarded via a points-based system. The intermediate step between work visas (E-series) and permanent residency (F-5), with broader work rights and family-sponsorship privileges.
Who it's for
Foreign residents who have accumulated enough points based on age, education, Korean ability, income, and Korean residency duration to qualify for the long-term resident track.
F-2 visa detailsF-3
Dependent Visa
Korea's F-3 dependent visa for spouses and minor children of E-series and F-series visa holders. Lets families join visa-holding workers in Korea, with restrictions on employment.
Who it's for
Spouses and unmarried minor children (under 19) of foreign nationals legally resident in Korea on E-1 through E-7 or F-2/F-4/F-5/F-6 visas.
F-3 visa detailsF-4
Overseas Korean Visa
Korea's F-4 visa for overseas Koreans (재외동포). Available to ethnic Koreans with foreign citizenship, with broad work and residence rights, but excluding non-skilled labor and certain restricted occupations.
Who it's for
Foreign nationals who are ethnic Koreans, including 1st-generation Korean emigrants, their descendants up to the 3rd generation, and former Korean citizens.
F-4 visa detailsF-6
Marriage Migrant Visa
Korea's F-6 visa for foreign spouses of Korean citizens. Provides full work rights, NHIS coverage, and a 2-year path to permanent residency, with specific protections in cases of divorce or domestic violence.
Who it's for
Foreign nationals legally married to Korean citizens, including same-sex spouses where the marriage is recognized in the home country.
F-6 visa detailsHow do you choose the right Korean visa?
The Korean visa you qualify for is determined by your situation, not a choice between equivalents. The decision tree most foreign residents follow:
- If you have a job offer from a Korean employer in a professional role: apply for E-7 (or E-7-M for the manufacturing track via designated junior colleges).
- If you're matched through the Employment Permit System from a sending country: E-9, the non-professional employment visa.
- If you're an ethnic Korean with foreign citizenship: F-4 (overseas Korean) is almost always the best path. It's renewable indefinitely with broad work rights.
- If you're married to a Korean citizen: F-6. Direct path to F-5 in 2 years.
- If you're already on E-7 and qualify for the points system: upgrade to F-2 to remove employer sponsorship and shorten the path to F-5.
- If you're joining a family member already on a Korean visa: F-3 (dependent) for spouse and minor children.
For deep eligibility breakdowns, salary thresholds, and application processes, click into any visa above.
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