The Ministry of Justice said Thursday it would reform the E-7-4 skilled worker visa system, which allows eligible E-9 nonprofessional workers and E-10 seafarers to switch to a visa permitting a longer stay.
The system assesses applicants’ Korean proficiency, income and employment or residency duration. After the quota rose from 2,000 to 35,000 in September 2023, the number of E-7-4 visa holders reached 52,648 as of September this year.
A June survey of 470 businesses and 316 foreign workers identified complicated immigration procedures and Korean-language requirements as major barriers to switching visas.
Employers also emphasized the need to retain workers and ensure stable staffing. To address these concerns, the ministry outlined several measures.
Online guide and simpler applications
The ministry will pilot an online employment visa guide on HiKorea, allowing applicants to check their eligibility, calculate E-7-4 points and prepare document checklists. The number of documents required to extend their stay will be reduced from at least 12 to seven or fewer.
Incentives for long service
Workers who stay with the same employer will receive bonus points toward E-7-4 eligibility based on their length of service. They will also face a shorter residency requirement when applying for F-2 resident status.
Clearer settlement pathways
The ministry will issue a notice clarifying the pathway from E-9 or E-10 status to E-7-4, F-2 residency and F-5 permanent residency. This will allow employers to plan staffing needs and workers to map out their path to long-term residency in advance.
“The reforms are not intended to increase the inflow of foreign workers, but to help those who have worked diligently in our industries for many years continue working stably and settle in local communities,” acting Justice Minister Lee Jin-soo said.
shwang9@heraldcorp.com