2023 E-7-4 Visa (Skilled Worker) changes and application precautions, documents

Currently, we are in the application period for the regular selection of E-7-4 skilled workers for the first quarter (2023.3.20~2023.3.24)

There have been quite a few changes compared to last year, and the guidelines are clearly defined, so there have been cases where people went without thoroughly checking the updated content and couldn't apply.

Let's check once again what has changed.

◆ Residence Qualification

- Non-professional employment (E-9), Seafarer employment (E-10), Visit employment (H-2)

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◆ Employment Period

- Must have been legally employed for more than 5 years in the last 10 years

※However, if the employment period is 4 years or more but the applicant has completed at least level 3 of the Social Integration Program, the employment period requirement is considered met.

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◆ Exclusion Criteria

Criminals, tax defaulters, those who have violated the Immigration Control Act more than four times, individuals with a history of illegal stay of 3 months or more

<Note> : Criminals refer to those sentenced to a fine of 500,000 KRW or more, and those who have fully paid their taxes are eligible to apply.

※ If the fine is 500,000 KRW or more, you are not eligible to apply.

Out of a total of 224 points, must meet one of the following

1. Individuals with an industrial contribution value 'annual income' score of 10 points or more, with a total score of 52 points or more

2. Individuals with a total future contribution value score of 35 points or more, with a total score of 72 points or more

1) Industrial Contribution Value

​​ ◆ Annual Income: Up to 20 points

<Legend>: Based on the average annual income of at least 26 million KRW for the last 2 years as of the application date (based on the income amount certificate issued by the tax office), and points are awarded based on the average amount of two years

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※ Most E-9 workers applying for E-7-4 do so based on industrial contribution value (income). So far, I have not seen anyone who applies based on future contribution value scores without any income

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※ In rural areas, unlike the metropolitan area, there are often not as many job opportunities, so it's common for workers to just work the set hours, making it difficult to meet the minimum annual salary requirement of 26 million KRW. However, workers in the metropolitan area often do overtime and night shifts, so their annual salary is mostly between 30 to 40 million KRW. Therefore, workers applying from the metropolitan area often score 20 points from income.

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※ E-9 workers working in rural areas must check if they qualify for rural area work experience and declining population area work experience.

If the rural area qualifies as a declining population area, you can receive additional points. If you receive points for both rural and declining population areas, the difference in income score might not be a significant issue.

◆ Skill: Up to 20 points

<Note>: No double counting between items (only the highest score is counted)

Ⓐ Recognizes domestic qualifications directly related to the current field of work under the "Technical/Practical Fields" of Annex 2 of the National Technical Qualifications Act and other qualifications recognized by the Minister of Justice (currently only STCW certificates are recognized)

Ⓑ Refers to skill verification conducted by institutions designated by the Minister of Justice (National Root Industry Promotion Center)

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※ For foreign workers studying Korean in their limited free time, even achieving a TOPIK score or Social Integration Program score can be challenging.

Therefore, obtaining a qualification certificate is almost as hard as reaching for the stars unless one puts in a significant effort.

If working for a root company, passing the skill verification for 10 points is a must.

You must be at least TOPIK level 3 to apply for skill verification.

If you meet the criteria to apply for a root company but haven't received a confirmation certificate yet,

it's highly beneficial for hiring foreign workers, so it's recommended to obtain it promptly.

◆ Education: Up to 10 points

<Note>: No double counting between items (only the highest score is counted)

<Legend>: Applies to regular courses, regardless of whether the degree was obtained domestically or internationally

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※ Surprisingly, there are many issues with education points, such as objections/administrative appeals being filed.

Most E-9 workers come from Southeast Asian countries.

Therefore, there are countries where the criteria for technical schools/vocational colleges are not clear,

and degrees or high school diplomas obtained from these countries may not be recognized.

Degrees/diplomas obtained abroad must be verified by the local embassy or apostilled to be effective in Korea.

◆ Age: Up to 20 points

<Note>: Calculated based on full age (including the birth date)

Calculated based on full age. I have never seen anyone score full points for age.

Even if you graduated from high school and came to Korea without significant gaps, working for over 5 years, you would be around 24 years old.

Typically, foreign workers apply for the E-7-4 visa in their 8th or 9th year of the E-9 visa,

so the average age of applicants is in their early to mid-30s.

If you are over 39 years old, you cannot score points, so it's considered difficult to be selected if you apply after turning 39.

◆ Korean Language Proficiency: Up to 25 points

<Note>: TOPIK uses the official score table (only valid within the validity period), and the Social Integration Program (KIIP) uses official completion certificates or stage verification documents (pre-assessment assignment stages not accepted)

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※ Previously, the Social Integration Program had the same scoring as TOPIK, but now it has been increased.

Especially, registration for the Social Integration Program must be done well in advance as it's not possible to apply anytime.

Failing to apply on time and missing out because the class is full, especially due to the Social Integration Program score, happens.

Also, many bring a pre-assessment score certificate (proof of which stage they are assigned based on the test) claiming their KIIP level, but pre-assessment scores are not recognized. Pre-assessment scores are worth 0 points. Only stage verification documents are recognized.

If assigned to stage 2, you must complete all classes and pass the final exam to be considered as having completed stage 2. If you fail the exam, you can retake the course and pass to have the completion recognized.

◆ Length of Service: Up to 10 points for continuous service at the same company <Legend>: 1 point for more than 1 year of employment reported to the Ministry of Justice, 2 points for more than 2 years, with no additional documents required from the applicant, just an entry in the bonus section ​ ※ Length of service can also earn a maximum of 10 points. It's an often-overlooked score item because there's no chart, so make sure to check it carefully.

※ It's about continuous employment. Changing workplaces even once, for any reason, means previous periods of employment are not combined unless you left the country due to visa expiration and returned to continue working at the same company.

◆ Assets Owned: Up to 35 points

<Note>: Duplication calculation possible between Ⓐ and Ⓑ (however, in this case, Ⓑ only recognizes the amount excluding Ⓐ)

<Legend>: Ⓐ refers to monthly installment savings, only applicable if the monthly deposit is 800,000 KRW or more

Ⓑ applies only to real estate (land/house/building) owned by the applicant for more than 1 year as of the application date

Both Ⓐ and Ⓑ are recognized only when proven to be the applicant's net assets

Most foreign workers send most of their salary back home, leaving only the minimum for their living expenses, especially if their spouses and children are back home.

Although I haven't actually seen foreign workers who have more than 20 million KRW in domestic regular savings or more than 50 million KRW in assets, if you find it extremely difficult to score in other items, I advise preparing for the assets score. Of course, this requires early preparation. Accumulating over 20 million KRW in domestic regular savings and over 50 million KRW in assets cannot happen overnight.

◆ Work Experience in the Related Field within the Last 10 Years: Up to 20 points

<Note>: No double counting between items (only the highest score is counted)

<Legend>: Ⓐ score applies to those currently working for more than 1 year continuously in root industries, agriculture, fisheries, shipbuilding, and coastal shipping sectors, recognizing only the work record in these fields ​ ※ One of the major changes. If your work experience in manufacturing or root industries is recognized for 8 years or more, you can score 20 points. Although the selection quota for E-7-4 skilled workers in 2023 has increased from 2,000 to 5,000, the pass mark is expected to be significantly high. ​ One of the main reasons is the increased score allocation for manufacturing work experience. As per the legend, A is limited to "persons who have been continuously working for more than 1 year as of the application date." This means continuous employment is required for recognition. However, B does not specify this. Changing workplaces in between does not matter; if the total employment period in manufacturing is 8 years or more, scoring 20 points is possible. Most root industry companies fall under manufacturing.

◆ Domestic Education or Training Experience in the Related Occupation: Up to 10 points

<Note>: No double counting between items (only the highest score is counted)

<Legend>: Ⓐ applies only to those who studied in regular courses at domestic universities and obtained a degree of associate or higher in the relevant occupation

Ⓑ recognizes only training related to the occupation at approved training institutions under D-4-6 visa qualification

※ A foreign worker who studied in Korea? Would they have had time to attend school while working? I haven't seen it yet. And foreign students studying at domestic universities usually apply for an E-7-1 (Specialist) visa change, not E-7-4 (Skilled Worker)

◆ Bonus Points: Up to 54 points

<Note>: Duplication calculation possible

<Legend>: Ⓐ applies to those who have studied for more than 2 years at a domestic university and obtained a degree of associate or higher, allowing duplication with the 'Degree Possession' and 'Education' items (irrespective of major related to the occupation)

Ⓑ recognizes only employment recommendations from central ministries related to the current field of work, with the head of the central ministry able to recommend up to 10 points

Ⓒ Refers to those who have completed level 5 of the Social Integration Program, allowing additional bonus points in conjunction with section A-2-4

Ⓓ Rural Area Criteria: The workplace must be located in a rural area of a city with a population of 200,000 or more, excluding metropolitan cities and Gyeonggi Province

- For fishermen and coastal shipping crew, work experience is calculated regardless of region

Ⓔ Social Contribution

- (Medals/Awards/Commendations) Only those awarded by the state or local governments (2 points per instance, up to 5 points),

- (Volunteer Work) Over 200 hours of domestic social service for more than 1 year (public volunteer service contributing to the community - judged by the office manager or branch manager): Combining awards/volunteer work not allowed (only one applies)

- (Tax Payment Record) Refers to the annual income tax payment record for the year preceding the application date

Ⓖ Non-professional employment (E-9) residents who participated in the seasonal work project implemented after 2020.8.21, following the expiration of their stay period, are granted bonus points based on the period of participation (determined by labor records in the computer system, not by submitted documents)

Ⓗ Working for more than 1 year as of the application date and having more than 2 years of experience at a business located in a population decline area designated by the Ministry of Interior and Safety (work experience in rural areas can be duplicated)

※ Many miss the bonus points for central department recommendations because they don't know how.

※ Issuing departments for employment recommendation letters: Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries

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10 points can be decisive in selection, especially for those affiliated with root companies, making it essential to obtain a recommendation from the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy. However, it's not immediately issued upon application, so check the application periods on the ministry's website and prepare in advance.

※ Also, the newly added work experience in declining population areas is worth noting.

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<Ministry of Interior and Safety Designated Population Decline Areas>

<Note>: The sum of scores (Ⓐ+Ⓑ) is applied

<Legend>: Ⓐ calculates only the number of violations within the last 10 years, including all confirmed violations regardless of the punishment (including administrative fines), with applicants restricted from applying after more than four violations

Ⓑ calculates only the number of violations within the last 10 years, limited to cases where the local office made a decision on stay permission

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※ As seen in the application targets

1. Criminals (fines of 500,000 KRW or more)

2. Tax defaulters (can apply after full payment)

3. More than 3 months of illegal stay history

4. More than four violations of the Immigration Control Act are explicitly stated as ineligible for application.

Moreover, a deduction of 50 points for more than three violations of the Immigration Control Act or any other domestic law.

Thus, those with more than three violations should not bother applying.

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Furthermore, foreign workers themselves may not be aware of their deduction items. It's advised to rethink before applying, as even a single violation and a deduction of 5 points can be critical in the skilled worker point system.

Even a single violation resulting in a 5-point deduction can be significant in the skilled worker point system, where selection can hinge on a difference of just one point

<Note> However, companies currently employing E-9 or E-10 foreign workers are allowed to employ at least one person

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※ Check the industry-specific allowed number of employees before applying

※ Essentially, check if the company qualifies to hire additional E-7-4 foreign workers before checking scores

※ Regardless of the industry and the number of domestic employees, if the company employs E-9 or E-10 workers, one application is possible

1. Application form, passport, and foreigner registration card (mandatory)

2. Score-based transition evaluation form (mandatory)

3. Reason for employment (mandatory)

4. Standard employment contract (mandatory): Submit E-7-4 contract

5. Copy of business registration certificate (mandatory)

6. Tax payment certificate, local tax payment certificate (to check the company's tax delinquency status, mandatory)

7. List of insured persons in employment insurance (4 major insurances list) (mandatory)

※ For construction workers, documents proving construction amounts

8. Income amount certificate issued by the tax office (applicant, mandatory)

9. Guarantee of identity: Completed by the employer (mandatory)

10. Root company confirmation certificate (if applicable)

11. Certificate of current employment and (related field) work experience certificate (if applicable)

12. Korean Language Proficiency Test (TOPIK) score report or Social Integration Program completion certificate (if applicable)

13. Degree certificate (if applicable)

14. Qualification certificate and skill verification confirmation (if applicable)

15. Documents proving domestic education or training experience (if applicable)

16. Regular savings proof documents (if applicable)

17. Documents proving domestic assets (if applicable)

18. Employment recommendation letters from relevant ministries (Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy) (if applicable)

19. Documents proving social contribution (if applicable)

20. Evaluation sheet for companies excellent in job creation (if applicable)

21. Documents proving meritorious support in job creation (if applicable)