Overview
South Korea's work visa system is employer-driven. Most visas require a sponsoring employer who obtains a Certificate of Visa Issuance from immigration. But how open South Korea is for you depends on your passport. WikiVisa's openness score runs 0–100, where a lower score means more open (easier to get a work visa). For example:
- United States passport: score 25/100 — Open, meaning you can access a wider range of visa types and fewer restrictions.
- Pakistan passport: score 85/100 — Very Restrictive, meaning employer sponsorship is almost always required and caps or labour-market tests may apply.
- Nepal passport: score 95/100 — Very Restrictive, even tougher.
Check South Korea's openness for your passport → to see your exact score. If your score is low (Open), you may qualify for working-holiday or youth mobility programs. If it's high (Restrictive), focus on employer-sponsored routes like E-7 or E-2.
Who qualifies
To work in South Korea, you generally need:
- A job offer from a Korean employer who obtains a Certificate of Visa Issuance.
- A valid passport (with at least 6 months validity).
- A clean criminal record (especially for teaching visas).
- Relevant qualifications (degree, experience, or language skills).
- Meet minimum salary thresholds (varies by visa type; e.g., E-7 requires ~31.12 million KRW annually in 2026).
Some visas (like E-2) have nationality restrictions — only native English speakers from certain countries (USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa) can apply.
Visa types
| Visa Type | Who it's for | Key Requirements | Duration | Pathway to PR? |
|---|
| E-7 (Foreign National of Special Ability) | Skilled professionals in IT, engineering, executive roles | Employer sponsorship; minimum salary ~31.12M KRW/year; relevant degree/experience | Up to 3 years, renewable | Yes, after 5 years |
| E-2 (Foreign Language Instructor) | Native English speakers teaching at schools/hagwons | Employer sponsorship; bachelor's degree; criminal background check; from approved country | Up to 2 years, renewable | No (but can switch to E-7) |
| D-7 (Intra-Company Transfer) | Employees of multinationals transferring to Korean branch | 1+ year prior employment with same company; employer sponsorship | Up to 3 years, renewable | Yes, after 5 years |
Other visas include D-8 (corporate investor), C-4 (short-term work), and H-1 (working holiday for young nationals of select countries).
How to apply
- Secure a job offer — Your employer must be willing to sponsor your visa. They will apply for a Certificate of Visa Issuance (CVI) from the Korea Immigration Service.
- Employer applies for CVI — The employer submits documents (business registration, employment contract, etc.) to the local immigration office. Processing takes 2–4 weeks.
- Receive CVI — Once approved, the employer sends you the CVI (or a digital copy).
- Apply for visa at Korean embassy/consulate — Submit your passport, CVI, visa application form, photos, and supporting documents (see below). Pay the fee.
- Wait for processing — Typically 5–10 business days, but can vary by embassy.
- Travel to Korea — Enter within 3 months of visa issuance.
- Register at immigration — Within 90 days of arrival, apply for an Alien Registration Card (ARC) at your local immigration office.
Costs & timelines
| Item | Approximate Cost (KRW) | Processing Time |
|---|
| Visa application fee | 60,000–100,000 (varies by embassy) | 5–10 business days |
| Certificate of Visa Issuance (employer) | Free (no fee) | 2–4 weeks |
| Alien Registration Card | 30,000 | 2–3 weeks after application |
| Criminal background check (for E-2) | Varies by country | 2–6 weeks |
Fees change. Always verify at the official source: Korea Immigration Service (Ministry of Justice)
Documents you'll need
- Valid passport (with at least 6 months validity)
- Completed visa application form
- Passport-sized photos (2–3)
- Certificate of Visa Issuance (from employer)
- Employment contract (signed by both parties)
- Degree certificates (apostilled or notarized)
- Criminal background check (apostilled, for E-2)
- Proof of health insurance (or Korean national health insurance enrollment)
- Application fee receipt
Additional documents may be required by the embassy — check their website.
Common mistakes
- Applying without a job offer — Most work visas require employer sponsorship; you cannot apply independently.
- Incorrect visa type — E.g., applying for E-2 when you're not a native English speaker from an approved country.
- Incomplete documents — Missing apostilles or notarizations can delay or reject your application.
- Ignoring salary thresholds — E-7 has a minimum salary; if your offer is below, the visa will be denied.
- Overstaying previous visa — Any overstay can lead to a ban.
FAQ
Can I switch from a tourist visa to a work visa in Korea?
Generally no. You must apply for a work visa from your home country. Some exceptions exist for highly skilled professionals (E-7) if you have a CVI.
How long does it take to get a work visa?
Total: 4–8 weeks from job offer to visa issuance, including employer CVI processing.
Can my family join me?
Yes, with an F-3 dependent visa. You must prove income and accommodation.
Do I need to speak Korean?
Not for most work visas, but it helps. Some E-7 roles may require basic Korean.
Is there a path to permanent residency?
Yes, after 5 years on an E-7 or D-7 visa (or 2 years with points-based system for high earners).
Next steps
Your first step is to check your personal openness score. For example, a US passport holder scores 25/100 (Open) — you can consider working holiday or direct E-7 sponsorship. A Pakistani passport holder scores 85/100 (Very Restrictive) — you'll need a strong employer sponsor and may face additional checks. Check South Korea's openness for your passport →
Once you know your score, research specific visa types and start networking with Korean employers. Also, see South Korea visa requirements for your nationality for detailed country-specific info.
Good luck — South Korea offers great career opportunities in tech, teaching, and business.