[Korea Visa | 2026 Update] E-7-4 (K-point E74) Skilled Worker Status Change: Practical Overview

- Total quota: 33,000 (slightly reduced) / Smaller central-government recommendation quota / Expanded provincial & metropolitan quota -

In 2026, the selection plan for K-point E74 (Skilled Worker, E-7-4) has been officially announced again. It continues to draw strong interest across worksites in manufacturing, shipbuilding, agriculture and livestock, fisheries, coastal shipping, and construction.

Compared with the recently highlighted regional-specialization track (E-7-4R), K-point E74 may feel more demanding. However, one clear advantage is that it does not generally require residence in a depopulation area—except where additional obligations apply (for example, when applying through certain provincial/metropolitan recommendations, a work/residence obligation period may be imposed).

This post provides a readable overview of the program purpose, basic eligibility requirements for applicants, what changed in 2026, employer/workplace requirements, and the point-based scoring framework.

[Note] This document is provided for general informational purposes only. Requirements and practices may differ depending on individual circumstances and the rules and guidance in effect at the time of application.

1. Overview and Purpose of K-point E74

K-point E74 is a point-based program designed to help Korean industries secure stable skilled foreign workers, while supporting long-term stay (status of sojourn change) for workers who meet the required criteria.

Among foreign workers holding time-limited statuses such as E-9, E-10, or H-2, the program evaluates factors such as length of service, income, Korean language ability, employer recommendation, and compliance history. If the applicant meets the required score threshold, they may be eligible to change their status of sojourn to E-7-4 (Skilled Worker), which can allow continued stay through extensions without departing Korea—provided extension requirements are met.

This can be particularly useful for E-9 and E-10 holders, where the maximum stay (including extensions) is limited (for example, 4 years and 10 months x 2, totaling 9 years and 8 months under certain rules).

2. Program Tracks (Application Routes)

According to the annual notice, K-point E74 is generally operated through the following tracks:

(1) Employer-recommended individual track: based on a recommendation from the applicant’s current employer; no additional central-government or provincial recommendation is required if point/eligibility requirements are met.

(2) Recommendation-quota track (central government ministries / provincial-metropolitan governments): requires a recommendation through the relevant quota; employer recommendation is still required.

(3) Flexible-allocation quota: a reserve-type quota designed to allow additional allocation depending on demand.

[Note] When applying through a provincial/metropolitan recommendation track, additional conditions may apply, such as maintaining residence (registered address) in that jurisdiction for a certain period after conversion.

3. Applicant Eligibility (General Requirements)

In principle, the applicant is generally expected to meet all of the following (subject to the annual notice):

(1) Have stayed for 4 years or more in the last 10 years under E-9, E-10, or H-2, and be a currently registered foreign resident working lawfully in Korea.

(2) Have an employment contract with the current employer for at least 2 years with an annual salary of KRW 26 million or more. (For agriculture/livestock, fisheries/coastal shipping, etc., the salary threshold may be KRW 25 million or more.)

(3) Have an average annual income of at least KRW 25 million over the most recent 2 years and meet the Korean language requirement (TOPIK Level 2 or higher; or completion of KIIP Level 2; or placement to KIIP Level 3 via the pre-assessment). (For agriculture/livestock, fisheries/coastal shipping, etc., the income threshold may be KRW 24 million or more.)

(4) Have received a recommendation from the current employer where the applicant has worked for at least 1 year.

(5) Achieve at least 200 points out of 300 under the scoring system.

If the applicant has stayed for 3 years or more in a non-metropolitan area, they may be eligible through a provincial/metropolitan recommendation even if the total stay is less than 4 years; however, additional work/residence obligations may apply after conversion (depending on the track and notice).

Korean language temporary deferral: if the applicant meets the other requirements, the notice may allow a temporary deferral of the Korean language requirement on the condition that the applicant completes the required Korean level by the first extension within 2 years. This special measure is currently indicated as available through December 31, 2026.

4. Employer / Workplace Requirements (General)

In addition to the applicant’s requirements, workplace requirements are also reviewed. In principle:

(1) The workplace should currently employ at least one worker holding E-9, E-10, or H-2 in normal/legitimate employment status.

(2) The permitted number of E-7-4 workers is generally limited to within 30% of the workplace’s qualifying Korean employees (as defined in the notice). Special rules may allow up to 50% in depopulation areas or root industries.

(3) In construction, an additional cap may apply based on the contractor’s construction capacity evaluation amount.

(4) The workplace should have no outstanding national/local tax delinquencies.

Employer recommendation rules: the employer’s representative may recommend the foreign worker who has worked at the workplace for at least 1 year. The recommendation scope is generally within 20% of the number of qualifying regular employees, and, where the workplace currently employs E-9/E-10 workers, the notice may allow at least one recommendation.

Employee-count definition and cap calculation are typically based on documentation such as the 4 major social insurance enrollment list and employment insurance acquisition dates (e.g., 3 months or more), as described in the notice.

5. Benefits and Key Cautions

(1) For employers: converting a skilled E-9/E-10 worker to E-7-4 can support longer-term retention and more stable workforce planning, subject to eligibility and quota limits.

(2) For workers: once converted to E-7-4, and if conditions are met, it may be possible to plan dependent stay for a spouse and minor children (F-3).

(3) In the longer term, depending on income, stay history, and social integration requirements, E-7-4 may provide a foundation to review residence (F-2) or permanent residence (F-5) pathways.

Important caution (Korean-language deferral): if the applicant uses the temporary Korean-language deferral and then fails to meet the minimum Korean requirement within 2 years, the notice indicates that only an additional 6 months of stay may be granted, and family invitation/dependent stay may not be available until the Korean requirement is satisfied.

6. Closing Note

The items above summarize the general rules. In practice, outcomes can vary due to exceptions, temporary measures (such as the Korean-language deferral), or disqualifying factors on the applicant or employer side. Before applying, it is advisable to review both the applicant’s requirements and the workplace requirements together.

Big Tent Administrative Attorney Office - Service Guide

Big Tent Administrative Scrivener Office provides end-to-end practical support for K-point E74 (E-7-4), including eligibility checks, document preparation, online filing, and responses to supplementation requests during review.

1. Pre-review of E-7-4 conversion/extension eligibility and scoring assessment

2. Selection of the most suitable track (employer-recommended vs recommendation quota) and checklist of supporting documents

3. Workplace compliance review (foreign employment cap, 4-insurance documentation, tax status) and remediation guidance

4. Online filing package preparation and support for responses to additional document requests

If you wish to minimize delays caused by avoidable rejections or additional documentation requests and proceed in a safe and accurate way, please contact us.

Licensed Administrative Agent : Taegyu Shin

E-mail: tkshin@bigtent.kr

Address: Room 1004-4, 10F, Seogwang Officetel, 49 Jungang-daero, Seongsan-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea