Professor(E-1)
| Scope of Activities | Foreign nationals who meet the qualifications under the Higher Education Act and engage in education or research guidance at junior colleges or higher educational institutions, or at institutions of equivalent level. |
| Eligible Persons | Professors at academic institutions such as KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)
Professors at the level of Assistant Professor or higher appointed at junior colleges or higher educational institutions Research Professors in specialized fields at universities or university-affiliated research institutes |
| Maximum Period of Stay Granted at One Time | 5 years |
| Activities Beyond the Authorized Status of Stay | 1. Expansion of Exemption Scope for Permission of Activities Beyond the Authorized Status of Stay
When receiving education at regular educational institutions (elementary, middle, high schools, and universities) within the period of stay, and as long as it does not infringe upon the original purpose of stay, no separate approval procedure is required. (Effective as of June 15, 2009) 2. Conversation Teaching (E-2) Activities Not Subject to Permission for Activities Beyond the Authorized Status of Stay (Integrated Guidelines on Visa Issuance and Stay Management for Conversation Instructors) a. Conversation teaching activities for colleagues within the workplace Eligible Persons: Legal residents who have completed foreigner registration under statuses from Professor (E-1) to Specific Activities (E-7), and from News Coverage (D-5) to Trade Management (D-9). Criteria: Foreign language conversation teaching activities for colleagues within their affiliated workplace. b. Conversation teaching activities carried out as social service, not for profit or compensation Eligible Persons: Legal residents who have completed foreigner registration (including those exempt from registration). Criteria: Conversation teaching activities for social service purposes, not for profit or compensation, at schools, religious organizations, social welfare facilities, community centers, etc. c. Common Provisions Conversation teaching activities that become the main activity or exceed the permitted criteria are excluded from the scope of autonomous allowance. 3. University Lecture Activities by CEOs of Foreign-Invested Companies and Other Outstanding Professionals Scope of Activities Activities outside the authorized status of stay, allowing for short-term employment (C-4-5) status, for those intending to give lectures at universities for up to 90 days. Eligible Persons ① Holders of Investor, etc. (D-7, D-8, D-9) status who serve as full-time directors or higher positions at domestic companies (including invested companies). ② Holders of Professional (E-1, E-3 to E-5, E-7) status. Required Documents ① Application form (Annex Form No. 34), passport, foreigner registration card, and fee ② Recommendation letter from the university president (or dean) ③ Copy of unique identification certificate (business registration certificate) ④ Original and copy of employment contract ⑤ Consent letter from the current employer 4. Mutual Activities Beyond Authorized Status Between Professor (E-1) and Research (E-3) Status for Foreign High-Level Science and Technology Personnel a. Eligible Applicants Those who wish to work at science and engineering research institutions, such as junior colleges or higher educational institutions, government-funded research institutes, national or public research institutes, and corporate research institutes, and who have received an employment recommendation from the Minister of Education. b. Qualification Requirements Holders of a master’s degree or higher in science and engineering with at least 3 years of experience in research and development in the relevant field, or Holders of a doctoral degree in science and engineering. c. Required Documents ① Application form (Annex Form No. 34), passport, foreigner registration card, one standard-size photo, and fee ② Employment contract or certificate of expected appointment ③ Consent letter from the current employer ④ Employment recommendation from the Minister of Education ⑤ Copy of business registration certificate ⑥ Supporting documents proving the status of the research institution 5. Activities of Foreign Advanced Technology Personnel Holding Short-Term Employment (C-4-5) or Specific Activities (E-7) Status in Related Advanced Technology Fields under Professor (E-1), Research (E-3), or Technology Guidance (E-4) Status a. Eligible Applicants Individuals working in fields such as information technology (IT) at venture companies, corporate informatization (e-business) including e-commerce, biotechnology (BT), nanotechnology (NT), new materials (metals, ceramics, chemistry), transportation machinery, digital appliances, or environment and energy, who have received an employment recommendation from the relevant ministry (e.g., Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Education). b. Qualification Requirements - At least 5 years of experience in IT, e-commerce, or related fields, or - A bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field with at least 2 years of work experience in the field (however, those who completed a full 4-year program in Korea and obtained a bachelor’s degree are exempt from work experience requirements), or - A master’s degree or higher in a related field. c. Required Documents ① Application form (Annex Form No. 34), passport, foreigner registration card, one standard-size photo, and fee ② Employment contract (original and copy) ③ Consent letter from the current employer ④ Employment recommendation from the minister of the relevant ministry ⑤ Certificate of career/experience (bachelor’s degree holders must attach a copy of the diploma) 6. Permission for Activities Beyond Authorized Status for Holders of A-1 and A-2 Status a. Permitted Employment Scope - Activities as Foreign Language Conversation Instructors (E-2), Teachers at Foreign Schools (E-7), or Foreign Language Proofreaders (E-7) - Activities under Culture and Arts (D-1), Religion (D-6), Professor (E-1), or Research (E-3) - Administrative staff (E-7) employed by foreign embassies in Korea or foreign institutions - Persons engaged in IT or e-business fields at venture companies under Specific Activities (E-7) who have received an employment recommendation from the relevant ministry. b. Required Documents ① Application form (Annex Form No. 34), passport and diplomatic ID, and fee ② Employment contract ③ Business registration certificate and documents proving the research institution ④ Original diploma ⑤ Certificate of career/experience ⑥ Employment recommendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ⑦ Employment recommendation from the Minister of Education (must specify high-level science and technology personnel) 7. Activities Beyond Authorized Status as Professor (E-1) for Holders of Agreement (A-3) Status a. Qualification Requirements Must meet the eligibility requirements for Research (E-3) status. b. Required Documents ① Application form (Annex Form No. 34), passport and SOFA ID, and fee ② Employment contract ③ Business registration certificate and documents proving the research institution ④ Original diploma ⑤ Certificate of career/experience ⑥ Employment recommendation from the Minister of Education (must specify high-level science and technology personnel) ⑦ If sponsored, a consent letter from the current employer 8. Employment of Spouses of High-Investment Foreigners and Professional Personnel a. Eligible Persons - Spouses of professional foreign personnel holding High-Level Science and Technology (SCIENCE Card), Advanced Technology (GOLD Card), or Information Technology (IT Card) status - Spouses of investors holding investment status with investments of USD 500,000 or more (including corporations) - Spouses of foreign professionals with professional status (E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4, E-5, and E-6-2 excluded; applicable to E-6 and E-7) b. Permitted Fields Permission for activities beyond the authorized status of stay in all occupations, except simple labor (D-3, E-9). c. Period of Permission Valid up to the spouse’s period of stay (renewable). d. Required Documents Documents to be attached according to Article 76 of the Rules by status of stay (no guarantor letter required). ※ For those wishing to engage in Specific Activities (E-7), the guidelines for issuing a Certificate of Visa Issuance Recognition for E-7 status shall apply. 9. Permission for Activities Beyond Authorized Status Between Religion (D-6) and Professor (E-1) for Employees of Institutions under the Same Religious Foundation a. From Religion (D-6) → Professor (E-1): Required Documents ① Application form (Annex Form No. 34), passport and foreigner registration card, fee ② Documents proving affiliation with the same foundation ③ Original and copy of employment contract ④ Diploma ⑤ Copy of business registration certificate ⑥ Consent letter from the current employer b. From Professor (E-1) → Religion (D-6): Required Documents ① Application form (Annex Form No. 34), passport and foreigner registration card, fee ② Documents proving affiliation with the same foundation ③ Consent letter from the current employer ④ Establishment permit of the relevant organization |
| Change or Addition of Workplace | Revised to Post-Notification System as of November 15, 2010 (Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Control Act, Article 26-2, Paragraph 1)
To strengthen national competitiveness by enhancing the utilization of professional personnel, the system has been improved so that professional personnel can change or add workplaces through post-notification only, instead of requiring prior approval. 《Ministry of Justice Notification No. 11-510》 ➠ University professors conducting temporary lectures, classes, or research at other universities related to their field of expertise do not need to submit an additional workplace notification. a. Qualification Requirements Must be a person registered as a foreigner under Professor (E-1) status and currently residing in Korea. Must meet the qualifications necessary to engage in activities at the new or additional workplace. Exclusion: Even if the person meets the qualification requirements, those who were dismissed or resigned early due to their own fault and did not obtain consent from the original employer are excluded. b. Notification Procedure The foreigner (person obligated to report) must notify the head of the relevant Immigration Office or Foreigners’ Office (branch or field office) within 15 days from the date the reason for notification occurs. Reporting by a representative is allowed. Note: Since a sticker or stamp indicating the workplace change/addition must be attached to the passport, in principle, an in-person visit is required. However, in urgent cases such as imminent deadlines, preliminary submission by fax is allowed, and the applicant is instructed to visit promptly to attach the sticker. c. Required Documents ①Workplace Change/Addition Notification Form [Annex Form No. 38-3], passport, foreigner registration card, and fee ②Business registration certificate ③Consent letter from the original workplace head ④Employment contract Notes: The consent letter from the original workplace head may be waived if the person worked until the contract expiration date or until the mutually agreed date. If the original workplace is closed, temporarily shut, or there are unpaid wages, supporting documents or a statement of reasons may be submitted instead. |
| Granting of Status of Stay | Not applicable |
| Permission for Change of Status of Stay | 1. ① Permission to change the status of stay to Professor (E-1) or Researcher (E-3) for high-level foreign personnel who have entered without a visa or hold a non-employment visa due to unavoidable circumstances.
② Permission to change the status of stay mutually between Professor (E-1) and Researcher (E-3) a. Eligible Applicants Individuals who wish to work at research institutions such as colleges or higher educational institutions, government-funded research institutes, national/public research institutes, or corporate research institutes (advanced foreign personnel in science and engineering, humanities, or arts and sports). Note: Previously allowed only for foreign high-level science and technology personnel, now expanded to include humanities, arts, and sports, and the employment recommendation from the Minister of Science and Technology is removed. b. Qualification Requirements Master’s degree or higher with at least 3 years of experience in the relevant field Doctoral degree holders c. Required Documents ①Application form (Form No. 34), passport, one standard-size photo, fee ②Original and copy of employment contract (or certificate of expected appointment) ③Certificate of career/experience (attach copy of diploma) ④Company establishment-related documents (business registration certificate, documents proving research institution) ⑤Consent letter from the head of the original workplace (if applicable) 2. Change of Status to Professional for Spouses of Professional Foreign Personnel a. Eligible Applicants Spouses of professional foreign personnel (E-1 to E-5, E-6 excluding E-6-2, E-7) holding F-3 dependent status. b. Permitted Fields Permission to change status of stay to any occupation under professional status (E-1 to E-5, E-6 excluding E-6-2, E-7). c. Required Documents ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport and foreigner registration card, one standard-size photo, fee ②Business registration certificate ③Diploma (original and copy) or certificate of career/experience ④Employment contract (original and copy) ⑤Consent letter from the head of the original workplace (only if there is an original workplace) 3. Change from Study (D-2) or Job-Seeking (D-10) → Professor (E-1) a. Qualification Requirements (all three conditions must be met) ① Must hold D-10 (job-seeking) or D-2 (study) status and be legally staying in Korea ② The field of intended employment must correspond to one of the statuses: Professor (E-1), Conversation Instructor (E-2), Research (E-3), Technical Guidance (E-4), Professional (E-5), Art Performance (E-6), or Specific Activities (E-7), and meet the qualification requirements for that status ③ Must enter into an employment contract with the representative of the institution or organization where employment is intended Note: D-2 holders refer to prospective graduates who meet the requirements for changing to D-10. If the person already holds a bachelor’s degree or higher and meets the required experience, change is allowed even while still enrolled. b. Required Documents ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport and foreigner registration card, fee ② Employment contract ③ Diploma or certificate of career/experience - Submission may be omitted for full-time professors meeting assistant professor or higher qualifications ④Institution-related documents (business registration certificate, copy of corporate registry, etc.) 4. Graduates in Science/Engineering from Foreign Universities Engaging in Research/Guidance in Education or Science & Technology Fields (Only for master’s degree holders or higher) ①Required Documents ②Application form (Form No. 34), passport and foreigner registration card, fee ③Graduation certificate ④Employment contract ⑤Recommendation letter from the university president or dean ⑤Business registration certificate 5. Change of Status for German Nationals Entering Under Visa Waiver (B-1) to Long-Term Stay a. Permitted Status Any long-term status of stay except Technical Training (D-3), Non-Professional Employment (E-9), and Tourist Employment (H-1) b. Period of Permission Up to the maximum period of stay that can be granted at one time according to the status of stay |
| Permission to Extend Period of Stay | Required Documents
①Application form (Form No. 34), passport, one standard-size photo, and fee ②Original and copy of employment contract, and other documents necessary for review* (submit 1–2 items if required) Examples: Teacher utilization plan, student enrollment status, withholding tax statement for earned income, etc. ③Documents proving place of stay (lease contract, confirmation of provided accommodation, notice of upcoming expiration of stay, public utility payment receipts, dormitory fee receipts, etc.) |
| Re-entry Permit | 1. Implementation of Exemption from Re-entry Permit (Revised Enforcement Rules effective December 1, 2010)
- Foreigners who have completed registration and wish to re-enter within one year from the date of departure are exempt from obtaining a re-entry permit. - If the remaining period of stay is less than one year, re-entry permit exemption applies within the remaining period of stay. Note: Individuals subject to entry restrictions or visa issuance restrictions must visit the local Immigration Office (branch or field office) of their place of stay to obtain a re-entry permit. 2. Multiple Re-entry Permit (Restrictions apply to Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Libya. However, nationals of these countries with Marriage Immigration (F-6), Study (D-2), or General Training (D-4) status are eligible) - For those wishing to re-enter after departure within the period of stay but exceeding 1 year and within 2 years - Required Documents: Application form (Form No. 34), original passport, foreigner registration card, fee |
| Foreigner Registration | 1. Documents Required for Foreigner Registration Application
①Application form (Form No. 34), original passport, one standard-size photo, and fee ②Business registration certificate under the “Value Added Tax Act” ③Documents proving place of stay 2. Notification of Changes to Foreigner Registration Details a. Items to Report: Name, gender, date of birth and nationality, passport number, issue date, and expiration date b. Notification Period: Within 15 days from the date of change c. Required Documents: ①Application form (Form No. 34), passport and foreigner registration card, no fee required ②Supporting documents related to the changes |
