The Essential Guide on How to Get a Work Visa for Korea
The Korean visa system is highly structured and requires precision, but it’s entirely manageable if you follow the blueprint. The main visa you’ll be dealing with is the E-series visa, specifically the E-7 (Specialized Profession) visa, though many first-timers enter on the E-2 (English Teaching) visa.
As a local, I’m here to give you the honest, strategic breakdown of the process and the documents you need to successfully get your golden ticket to working life in Korea.
Step 1: The Golden Rule — The Company Does the Heavy Lifting
Unlike a tourist visa, you cannot simply apply for a work visa yourself. The process is initiated by your employer. Your company must prove to the Korean Ministry of Justice that they genuinely need your specialized skills and that they cannot find a qualified Korean national for the role. This involves getting a Certificate of Visa Issuance (CVI).
Your role is to provide your company with all the necessary personal documents promptly. Think of yourself as the document provider; the company is the main applicant.
Step 2: Know Your Visa — E-7 vs. E-2
The type of visa dictates the difficulty of the application and the required documentation.
E-7 Specialized Profession Visa (The Professional’s Choice): This is for professionals in specialized fields (IT, engineering, global marketing, finance). The hurdle requires your employer to prove your specialized skill set through relevant degrees (Bachelor’s minimum) and often years of work experience (usually 5+ years) in a related field. The requirements are strict, but the career prospects are generally higher.
E-2 Foreign Language Instructor Visa (The Common Entry Point): This is for individuals hired to teach English (or other foreign languages) at public schools, hagwons (private academies), or universities. The hurdle requires a Bachelor’s degree (in any field) and often a TEFL/TESOL certification. The document requirements are tedious (criminal background checks, notarized copies) but standardized.
Step 3: Preparing Your Personal Document Arsenal
Once you have the job offer, your mission is to gather and authenticate these key personal documents (usually required for both E-7 and E-2 visas)
Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months past your intended entry date.
Degree Certificate: Original or notarized copy of your Bachelor’s degree (or higher). This proves you meet the minimum educational requirement for professional work.
Criminal Background Check: Issued within 6 months. This often requires Apostille/Consular legalization and proves your good character—a non-negotiable step for public trust.
Medical Check: Often required after you enter Korea, but some contracts require one beforehand.
CVI Number: Issued by the Korean Immigration Office to your company. This is the most critical document and confirms the government has pre-approved your employment.
Step 4: The Final Submission (At Your Local Embassy)
Once your company receives the CVI number, they send it to you. You then take your passport and the rest of your documents to the Korean Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
You submit the paperwork, pay the fee, and wait for the visa sticker to be placed in your passport. Processing usually takes 2–4 weeks. Once the visa is issued, you are clear to fly to Korea and begin your adventure!
The Korean work visa process is a test of patience and precision. Stay organized, work closely with your employer, and you’ll soon be tapping your ARC card on the Seoul subway!