South Korea•AsiaNon-Professional Employment Visa (E-9)
At a Glance
Processing Time
28-56 days
Application Fee
60,000 KRW
Stay Duration
Up to 3 years
Renewable
Varies
Job Offer
Not Required
Dependents
Not Specified
PR Pathway
Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency — the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.Remote Work
Not Required
Overview
Work visa for non-professional workers from designated countries in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, fisheries, and service industries.
E-9 visa allows non-professional workers from 16 designated sending countries to work in Korea. Valid for up to 3 years with possible extension and reentry up to 5 years total.
Annual Visa Allocation
133,000 visas per year
The 2025 quota is set at 133,000; allocations are divided by industry sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, construction, fishery, and service.
No lottery system
Check Your Eligibility
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Requirements
Language
Korean
Basic
Excluded Nationalities
Citizens of the following countries are not eligible: Non-designated sending countries
Documentation
Applicant Documents
Valid passport
From designated country, 6+ months
Employment contract
Signed by employer
Health certificate
Medical examination
Police certificate
Criminal record check
Bank statements
Financial proof
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Advantages
- Pathway to E-7-4 skilled worker visa
- Can upgrade visa status after 4 years
- Multiple entry possible
- Access to various industries
Considerations
- Limited to 16 designated countries
- Maximum 5 years total stay
- Limited to designated industries
- Wage and workplace standards applied
- Dependent on employer
Application Process
Register with HRD Korea
Employer registration
Labor demand approval
From Korean labor authority
Quota allocation
Worker quota approved
Employment contract
Signed employment agreement
Visa application
At Korean embassy
Visa processing
4-8 weeks
Visa issuance
E-9 non-professional visa
Application Forms
E-9 Non-Professional Employment Application
Ready to Apply?
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