South Korea Work Visa 2026: Types, Process and Fees
South Korea does not have one work visa. It has a set of statuses of stay, each tied to a kind of work, and the Korea Immigration Service says foreigners seeking employment must hold a visa that allows it and may only work at the workplace designated by the immigration office. This guide sets out the work statuses, how the application runs through a Korean sponsor, the fees and the rules after arrival, from the Korea Visa Portal, the Hi Korea immigration site and the Minimum Wage Commission, as read on 14 October 2026.
Quick answer
Long-term work statuses include E-1 for professors, E-2 for foreign language instructors, E-3 for researchers and E-7 for activities designated by the Minister of Justice under a contract with a Korean organisation. The sponsor in Korea can apply for a Confirmation of Visa Issuance, valid for 3 months, which you take to a Korean embassy. The visa fee is USD 60 for a single-entry visa of 91 days or longer and USD 90 for a multiple-entry visa. If you stay more than 90 days you must register within 90 days of entry, for a fee of 30,000 won. The 2026 minimum wage is 10,320 won an hour.
The work statuses
Hi Korea, the government's immigration portal, describes the statuses for work of more than 91 days as follows.
| Status | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| Professor (E-1) | A foreigner qualified under the Higher Education Act, seeking to give lectures or aid research in their field at educational facilities above college level |
| Foreign Language Instructor (E-2) | Foreigners qualified by the Minister of Justice seeking to teach spoken foreign language at educational or research facilities above elementary school level, company or broadcaster language facilities, and similar organisations |
| Research (E-3) | Those invited by a public or private institution in Korea to engage in research and development in natural science or advanced technology |
| Technological Guidance (E-4) | Those invited by a Korean public or private organisation to offer special technology or expertise in natural science or high technology |
| Special Profession (E-5) | Foreigners with an international licence as a lawyer, CPA, physician or other profession recognised by Korean law, practising as permitted under Korean law |
| Culture and art (E-6) | Those taking part in musical, artistic or literary activities such as entertainment, performances, sport, advertising or fashion modelling for profit |
| Specially designated activities (E-7) | Those participating in activities specially designated by the Minister of Justice through a contract with a public or private organisation in Korea |
| Working Holiday (H-1) | Tourists seeking short-term employment to pay their expenses, from countries with a working holiday agreement or MOU with Korea |
For work of less than 90 days there is Temporary Employment (C-4), for short-term entertainment, advertising, fashion modelling, lectures, research or technical training.
Company transfers and investors
| Status | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| Intra-Company Transfer (D-7) | Those who have worked for more than a year for a foreign company's headquarters or branch and are dispatched as a specialist to its branch, subsidiary or office in Korea |
| Corporate Investment (D-8) | A specialist participating in the management or production and technology of a foreign investment company under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act |
| Trade Management (D-9) | A specialist dispatched to install, operate or repair imported machinery, or one wishing to establish and manage a company or engage in trade in Korea |
The full list of statuses that allow employment
Hi Korea lists them as C-4, E-1 to E-10, Residency (F-2), Overseas Koreans (F-4), Permanent Residency (F-5) and Working Holiday (H-1). It warns that it is unlawful to hire a foreigner who does not have an appropriate visa status.
How to apply
A visa is issued by a Korean embassy or consulate. The Visa Portal describes these channels.
| Channel | Who applies | Work statuses covered |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmation of Visa Issuance, through the Visa Portal | The inviter or sponsor in Korea | E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4, E-5 and E-7, with Dependent Family (F-3) visas for accompanying family |
| e-Visa, through the Visa Portal | The foreigner, or the sponsor on their behalf | E-1, E-3, E-4 and E-5, and E-7 for experts in advanced science and technology holding an official employment recommendation letter, known as the Gold Card |
| Korean diplomatic mission abroad | The foreigner or a visa agency | Application at the embassy or consulate in your country or area of residence |
The confirmation route, step by step
- The sponsor logs in to the Visa Portal and completes the application form for Confirmation of Visa Issuance.
- A visa official receives and reviews it.
- The sponsor checks the result and downloads the visa application form, then sends it to you or tells you the confirmation number and its expiry date.
- You apply for the visa at the Korean embassy or consulate general, and pay the fee.
- The consul issues the visa and you travel to Korea.
The confirmation is valid for 3 months and is effective for visa issuance once. For the E-7 route under this channel, the Visa Portal states that the applicant must have an occupation under category 1 (executives) or 2 (professionals or related) of the Standard Classification of Occupation. Required documents differ by status, and the portal points applicants to its Visa Navigator for the list.
Visa fees
| Type of visa | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single-entry visa, 90 days or less | USD 40 |
| Single-entry visa, 91 days or longer | USD 60 |
| Double-entry visa, usable up to 2 times | USD 70 |
| Multiple-entry visa | USD 90 |
The Visa Portal adds that fees may be applied differently under international practice, reciprocity or agreements, and that the fee is not refundable even if the application is denied. Online payments carry a surcharge for card and electronic payment services.
After you arrive
- Register. A foreigner who plans to stay for more than 90 days registers with the immigration office for their place of residence within 90 days from the date of entry. You need your passport, the application form and one colour photo, and the fee is 30,000 won.
- Carry your card. Foreigners residing in Korea must carry their passport or registration card at all times.
- Report changes. Hi Korea says changes such as a new passport, or a change in occupation or annual income for E-1 to E-10 holders, must be reported within 15 days. The Visa Portal's page gives 14 days for changes in registration information, so report without delay.
- Extend in time. Apply for an extension of stay between 4 months before the expiry date and the expiry date itself. Applying after expiry brings a penalty.
- Health insurance. If you are employed at a workplace covered by National Health Insurance, the NHIS enrols you as an employee from the start of your job, with no six-month wait. The six-month rule applies to the self-employed insured category, for foreigners who are not enrolled through a workplace.
Changing or adding a workplace
You cannot simply switch employers. Hi Korea states that any change or addition to a foreigner's workplace must be reviewed and granted in advance by the local immigration office. Permission is denied if the change differs from the purpose of stay stated in the employment contract, and adding more than two workplaces beside the main one is prohibited. Side work outside your status also needs permission before you begin, and is not granted to holders of a single-entry visa for less than 90 days.
Pay: the legal floor
| 2026 minimum wage | Amount |
|---|---|
| Hourly | 10,320 won |
| Daily, based on 8 hours | 82,560 won |
| Monthly, based on 209 hours | 2,156,880 won |
The hourly rate is up 290 won from 2025, when it was 10,030 won.
Frequently asked questions
What types of work visa does South Korea have?
The long-term work statuses are E-1 Professor, E-2 Foreign Language Instructor, E-3 Research, E-4 Technological Guidance, E-5 Special Profession, E-6 Culture and art and E-7 Specially designated activities, plus H-1 Working Holiday. C-4 covers temporary employment of less than 90 days.
Can I apply for a South Korea work visa online?
Partly. The e-Visa on the Visa Portal covers E-1, E-3, E-4 and E-5, and E-7 for Gold Card holders. For other cases the sponsor in Korea applies online for a Confirmation of Visa Issuance, and you then apply at a Korean embassy or consulate.
How much does a South Korea work visa cost?
The standard fees are USD 60 for a single-entry visa of 91 days or longer and USD 90 for a multiple-entry visa. Fees can differ by nationality under reciprocity or agreements.
Do I need a sponsor for a Korean work visa?
The work statuses are based on an invitation or contract with a Korean organisation, and the Confirmation of Visa Issuance must be filed by the inviter or sponsor.
Do I have to register after arriving in Korea?
Yes, if you plan to stay for more than 90 days. You register at the immigration office for your place of residence within 90 days from the date of entry, and the fee is 30,000 won.
Can I change jobs on a Korean work visa?
Only with prior permission. Any change or addition to your workplace must be granted in advance by the local immigration office.
What is the minimum wage in South Korea in 2026?
10,320 won an hour, which is 82,560 won for an 8-hour day and 2,156,880 won a month on the 209-hour basis.
Official sources
- Hi Korea, Korea Immigration Service — Work, more than 91 days
- Hi Korea — Business, more than 91 days
- Hi Korea — Foreigners' stay and extent of activities
- Hi Korea — Change or addition of workplace
- Hi Korea — Activities not covered by the current status of stay
- Hi Korea — Extension of stay
- Hi Korea — Obligations to report
- Korea Visa Portal, Ministry of Justice — e-Visa and Confirmation of Visa Issuance
- Korea Visa Portal — Visa application fees
- Korea Visa Portal — Entry procedure and alien registration
- Minimum Wage Commission — 2026 minimum wage
- National Health Insurance Service — Guidance for foreigners
All figures verified against the official pages above on 14 October 2026. Required documents and salary conditions differ by status and are set out in the Visa Navigator, so confirm them with the Korean embassy or the 1345 Immigration Contact Center. Information, not legal advice.