Professional(E-5)
| Scope of Activities | A person holding a nationally recognized qualification certificate from a foreign country, which is acknowledged under the laws of the Republic of Korea, may engage in professional work permitted under the laws of the Republic of Korea. |
| Eligible Persons | * Aircraft pilots recommended by the Minister of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs
* Persons possessing advanced medical knowledge and technology, who have received an employment recommendation from the Minister of Health and Welfare, and who intend to work at the following medical institutions: * National or local government medical institutions * Medical corporations * Medical institutions established by nonprofit corporations or government-invested institutions * Persons who, after graduating from a domestic medical or dental college, undergo internship or residency training at a university-affiliated hospital or a hospital designated by the Minister of Health and Welfare * Essential professional personnel required for the operation of ships (e.g., cruise ships) invited for projects such as the Mount Geumgang tourism development, by persons who have received approval for inter-Korean cooperation projects under the *Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act* * Persons employed by domestic transportation companies, etc., intending to work as essential professional personnel for ship operation such as captains * Persons holding one of the following maritime licenses or crew certificates, who have been recommended by the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries: * (Maritime licenses) First-class deck officer, second-class deck officer, first-class engineer, second-class engineer (*Ship Crew Act*, Article 5) * (Crew certificates) Persons whose certificate specifies “Level” as captain, chief engineer, or management level (*Ship Crew Act*, Article 10-2(2)) ※ Based on mutual recognition memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on maritime licenses, crew certificates are currently being issued to holders of maritime licenses from 30 countries\*. |
| Maximum Period of Stay Grantable at One Time | 5 years |
| Activities Beyond the Status of Stay | 1. Expansion of Exemption from Permission for Activities Beyond Status
If receiving education at a regular educational institution (elementary, middle, high school, or university) within a scope that does not infringe upon the original purpose of stay, no separate permission procedure is required within the permitted period of stay (effective June 15, 2009). 2. Employment of Spouses of High-Value Foreign Investors and Professionals For accompanying family members, the *Guidelines on Issuance and Stay Management of Dependent (F-3) Visas* shall apply. 3. University Lecture Activities by CEOs of Foreign-Invested Companies and Other Distinguished Professionals * Scope of Activities Permission for activities beyond status in the form of a short-term employment (C-4-5) visa for those who intend to engage in lecture activities at universities for up to 90 days. * Eligible Applicants ① Holders of D-7, D-8, or D-9 status who are serving as full-time directors or higher at domestic companies (including investment companies) ② Holders of professional status visas such as E-1, E-3, E-4, E-5, or E-7 * Required Documents ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport and alien registration card, fee ② Recommendation letter from the university president ③ Copy of business registration certificate (corporate registration ID) ④ Original and copy of employment contract ⑤ Letter of consent from the current employer |
| Change or Addition of Workplace | 1. Revision to Post-Notification System (effective Nov. 15, 2010)
(Immigration Control Act Enforcement Decree, Article 26-2(1)) To enhance national competitiveness by improving the utilization of professional manpower, the system has been revised so that professionals may change or add workplaces with post-notification only, instead of prior approval. (Ministry of Justice Notice No. 2020-212) A. Eligibility Requirements Foreign nationals registered and residing in Korea under the *Professional Employment (E-5)* status who also meet the necessary qualification requirements to work at the new or additional workplace. ※ However, those who were dismissed or resigned mid-term due to their own fault and failed to obtain a transfer consent from the original employer are excluded. B. Reporting Procedure The obligated reporter (the foreign national) must notify the head of the competent immigration office (main office or branch) within 15 days of the occurrence of the reason for reporting (a representative may report on their behalf). ※ As the change/addition notification must be affixed or stamped in the passport (in the form of a sticker or notation), in-person reporting is the principle. (However, in urgent cases such as imminent deadlines, prior submission by fax is allowed, followed by a prompt visit for the attachment of the sticker and related measures.) C. Required Documents ① Application form for change/addition of workplace \[Form No. 38-3], passport and alien registration card, no fee required ② Business registration certificate ③ Consent letter from the original employer\* ④ Employment contract ※When changing workplaces, an employment recommendation letter from the relevant ministry is required. ※The consent letter from the original employer is exempted if the employee worked until the contract expiration date or until a mutually agreed date. In cases such as closure, suspension of the original workplace, or unpaid wages, supporting documents or a written statement may be submitted instead. |
| Granting of Status of Stay | Not applicable |
| Permission for Change of Status of Stay | 1. Change from Student (D-2) or Job-Seeking (D-10) to Professional Employment (E-5)
A. Eligibility Requirements (All of the following ①, ②, ③ must be met) ① A person legally residing in Korea with D-10 (Job-Seeking) or D-2 (Student) status ② The intended field of employment must correspond to one of the following statuses: Professor (E-1), Foreign Language Instructor (E-2), Research (E-3), Technical Guidance (E-4), Professional Employment (E-5), Arts/Entertainment (E-6), or Specific Activities (E-7), and the applicant must meet the requirements for that status ③ The applicant must sign an employment contract with the head of the institution/organization where they will be employed ※ A D-2 (Student) visa holder refers to a graduating student who meets the requirements to change to D-10 (Job-Seeking). However, if the applicant has already obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher in their home country or a third country and meets the required work experience conditions, a change may be permitted even while enrolled. B. Required Documents ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport and alien registration card, fee ② Copy of employment contract ③ Copy of business registration certificate, or license/registration (for companies requiring specific business authorization/registration) ④ Copy of diploma and certificates ⑤ Employment recommendation letter from the relevant ministry 2. Change of Status for German Nationals Entering on Visa Waiver (B-1) to Long-Term Stay A. Permissible Statuses All long-term stay statuses except Industrial Trainee (D-3), Non-Professional Employment (E-9), and Working Holiday (H-1) B. Period of Stay The maximum period that can be granted at one time under the relevant status of stay 3. Permission for Change of Status of Spouses of Professional Foreign Manpower to Professional Status A. Eligible Applicants Spouses of holders of professional statuses 《E-1 to E-5, E-6 (excluding E-6-2), E-7》 who themselves hold Dependent (F-3) status B. Eligible Fields All occupations corresponding to professional statuses 《E-1 to E-5, E-6 (excluding E-6-2), E-7》 C. Required Documents ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport and alien registration card, one standard-size photo, fee ② Business registration certificate ③ Diploma (original and copy) or certificate of career experience ④ Employment contract (original and copy) ⑤ Consent letter from the head of the original workplace (only if the applicant has an existing workplace) |
| Permission for Extension of Period of Stay | 1. Required Documents
① Application form (Form No. 34), original passport, one standard-size photo, fee ② Copy of employment contract ③ Business registration certificate pursuant to the Value-Added Tax Act ④ Documents proving place of residence (e.g., lease contract, accommodation provision confirmation, notice of stay period expiration, utility bill receipts, dormitory fee receipts, etc.) |
| Re-entry Permit | 1. Implementation of Re-entry Permit Exemption System (Amended Enforcement Rules effective Sept. 21, 2018)
* A registered foreign national is exempt from obtaining a re-entry permit if re-entering within one year from the date of departure. * If the remaining period of stay is less than one year, the exemption applies only within the remaining stay period. ※ However, those subject to entry restrictions or visa issuance restrictions must visit the competent immigration office (main office or branch) to obtain a re-entry permit. 2. Multiple Re-entry Permit (Restrictions apply to Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Libya; however, nationals of these countries holding Marriage Migrant (F-6), Student (D-2), or General Training (D-4) status are eligible.) * For re-entry after departure within the period of stay, exceeding one year but within two years. * Required Documents : Application form (Form No. 34), original passport, alien registration card, fee. |
| Foreigner Registration | 1. Documents Required for Foreigner Registration
① Application form (Form No. 34), original passport, one standard-size photo, fee ② Business registration certificate pursuant to the Value-Added Tax Act ③ Documents proving place of residence 2. Notification of Changes to Foreigner Registration Information A. Items to Report : Name, gender, date of birth and nationality, passport changes B. Reporting Deadline : Within 15 days from the date of change C. Required Documents : ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport and foreigner registration card, no fee ② Supporting documents related to the changes |
