Technical instructor(E-4)
| Scope of Activities | Provision of expertise in natural sciences or technology in specialized industrial fields at public or private institutions. |
| Eligible Persons | Persons who provide technology to Korean nationals or Korean corporations under a technology transfer contract regulated by the 「Foreign Investment Promotion Act」.
Persons who provide advanced industrial technology, which cannot be obtained domestically, to public or private institutions within Korea. |
| Maximum Length of Stay Granted at One Time | 5 years |
| Activities Outside of Granted Visa Status | 1. Expansion of Exemption Scope for Permission of Activities Outside Visa Status
If receiving education at formal educational institutions (elementary, middle, high schools, and universities) without infringing the original purpose of stay, no separate permission procedure is required within the period of stay. (Effective from June 15, 2009) 2. University Lectures by CEOs of Foreign Investment Companies and Other Outstanding Professionals Scope of Activity Activities outside of visa status as short-term employment (C-4-5) for those intending to lecture at a university within 90 days Eligible Persons ① Holders of investor-related visas (D-7, D-8, D-9) who serve as full-time directors or higher at domestic companies (including investment companies) ② Holders of professional visas (E-1, E-3, E-4, E-5, E-7) Required Documents ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card, fee ② Recommendation letter from the president of the university or college ③ Copy of business registration certificate (corporate registration) ④ Original and copy of employment contract ⑤ Consent letter from the original employer 3. Activities of Foreign Advanced Technology Personnel Holding Short-term Employment (C-4-5) or Specific Activity (E-7) Visa Changing to Professor (E-1), Researcher (E-3), or Technical Guidance (E-4) in Similar Advanced Technology Fields Eligibility Persons engaged in IT sectors such as venture companies, e-business sectors like e-commerce, biotechnology (BT), nanotechnology (NT), new materials (metal, ceramic, chemical), transportation machinery, digital appliances, environment and energy sectors, with employment recommendation from relevant ministry (Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Education, etc.) Qualification Criteria * At least 5 years of experience in IT or related fields such as e-commerce * Bachelor’s degree or higher in relevant fields with at least 2 years of experience in the field; however, those who completed a 4-year course and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Korea are exempted from the experience requirement * Master’s degree or higher in relevant fields Required Documents ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card, one standard-sized photo, fee ② Employment contract (original and copy) ③ Consent letter from original employer ④ Employment recommendation letter from the relevant minister ⑤ Proof of education and work experience (copy of degree certificate for bachelor’s holders) ⑥ Copy of business registration certificate 4. Employment for Spouses of High-Investment Foreigners and Professional Personnel Eligible Persons * Spouses of professional foreign personnel holding SCIENCE cards (high-level science & tech personnel), GOLD cards (advanced tech personnel), IT cards (information technology personnel) * Spouses of investors with investment of USD 500,000 or more (including corporations) * Spouses of holders of professional foreign personnel visas (E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4, E-5, excluding E-6-2 under E-6, and E-7) Allowed Fields * Permission for activities outside visa status for all job types except simple labor (D-3, E-9) Permission Period * Up to the spouse’s duration of stay (renewable continuously) Required Documents * Attachment documents according to visa status as per Rule Article 76 (exemption of guarantor certificate) ※ For those wishing to engage in Specific Activity (E-7), the guidelines for issuance of the E-7 visa issuance certificate apply. |
| Change or Addition of Workplace | 1. Revision to Post-Notification System as of November 15, 2010
(Immigration Control Act Enforcement Decree Article 26-2, Paragraph 1) To enhance national competitiveness through improved utilization of professional personnel, the system has been revised to allow changes or additions to the workplace for such individuals through post-notification, rather than prior approval. (Ministry of Justice Notice No. 11-510) A. Eligibility Criteria A person who is registered as a foreigner and staying in Korea under the Technical Instructor (E-4) visa and possesses the necessary qualifications to work at the changed or additional workplace. > ※ Even if qualified, those who were dismissed or resigned for reasons attributable to themselves and failed to obtain a transfer agreement from the original employer are excluded. B. Reporting Procedure The person responsible for reporting (the foreigner) must notify the head of the competent Immigration Office (including branch or sub-office) within 15 days from the date the reason for reporting arises. (Report by an agent is allowed) > ※ Since a workplace change/addition sticker or stamp must be attached or recorded in the passport, in-person reporting is required in principle. > However, in urgent situations such as imminent deadlines, FAX pre-submission is allowed, followed by a visit for sticker attachment and necessary processing. C. Required Documents ① Workplace Change/Add Notification Form (Annex Form No. 38-3), passport and foreigner registration card, no fee required ② Business registration certificate ③ Consent form from the head of the original workplace ④ Employment contract ⑤ A copy of the Technology Introduction Contract Approval Certificate, Technology Introduction Contract (or Service Transaction Certification), or Defense Industry Company Designation Certificate, etc. > ※ When changing workplaces, a recommendation letter for employment from the relevant ministry is required. > ※ The consent form from the original workplace head is waived if the person worked until the contract end date or the mutually agreed date. > If the original workplace is closed or has delayed wage payments, the consent form may be replaced with supporting documents or a statement of reasons. |
| Grant of Stay Status | Not applicable. |
| Permission for Change of Status of Stay | 1. Change of Status from Student (D-2) or Job Seeker (D-10) to Technology Instructor (E-4)
A. Eligibility Requirements (All of the following conditions must be met) : ① The applicant must legally reside in Korea with a valid D-2 (Student) or D-10 (Job Seeking) visa. ② The intended employment field must fall under a status such as Professor (E-1), Foreign Language Instructor (E-2), Researcher (E-3), Technology Instructor (E-4), Professional (E-5), Artist/Performer (E-6), or Specially Designated Activity (E-7), and the applicant must meet the qualification requirements for that status. ③ The applicant must sign an employment contract with the representative of the hiring organization or institution. ※ D-2 visa holders refer to prospective graduates eligible to change to a D-10 status. However, if the applicant has already obtained at least a bachelor’s degree from a university in their home country or a third country and meets the required career qualifications, the change may be permitted even while enrolled. B. Required Documents ① Application form (Annex Form No. 34), passport, and Alien Registration Card, application fee ② Dispatch order (issued by headquarters) or certificate of employment ③ Certificate of acceptance for technology introduction contract, a copy of the technology introduction contract (or service transaction certification), or a copy of the designation certificate for a defense industry company ④ Copy of business registration certificate ⑤ Recommendation letter for employment from the minister of the competent ministry (if required) 2. Change to Technology Instructor (E-4) Regardless of Current Visa Type Applies to individuals providing technologies in specialized industrial fields or natural sciences under the following conditions: * Those providing technology under contracts based on the Foreign Investment Promotion Act, Restriction of Special Taxation Act, or Aerospace Industry Development Promotion Act * Those providing technology to defense industries under the Special Measures Act on Defense Industry * Those providing industrial technologies to public institutions under contracts in accordance with the Basic Act on the Management of Government-Invested Institutions 3. Change of Status for Germans Entering Visa-Free (B-1) to Long-Term Stay A. Eligible Long-Term Stay Statuses : All long-term stay statuses except for Industrial Training (D-3), Non-Professional Employment (E-9), and Working Holiday (H-1) B. Permitted Stay Period : Up to the maximum duration granted for each status, for one time only 4. Change of Status for Spouses of Professional Foreign Workers to a Professional Visa Type A. Eligible Applicants : Spouses of professional foreign workers who hold one of the following visa statuses: E-1 through E-5, E-6 (excluding E-6-2), and E-7, and who are currently on Dependent (F-3) status B. Eligible Fields : All occupations under professional statuses (E-1 to E-5, E-6 except E-6-2, and E-7) C. Required Documents : ① Application form (Annex Form No. 34), passport, Alien Registration Card, one standard passport photo, application fee ② Business registration certificate ③ Academic degree certificate (original and copy) or certificate of work experience ④ Employment contract (original and copy) ⑤ Consent form from the previous employer (only required if a prior workplace exists) |
| Permission for Extension of Period of Stay | 1. Required Documents
① Application form (Annex Form No. 34), passport, Alien Registration Card, application fee ② Dispatch order (issued by headquarters) or certificate of employment ③ Certificate of acceptance for technology introduction contract, copy of the technology introduction contract (or service transaction certification), or copy of the designation certificate for a defense industry company ④ Copy of business registration certificate ⑤ Proof of residence documents (e.g., lease agreement, confirmation of accommodation provision, mail notice of stay period expiration, utility bill receipts, dormitory fee receipts, etc.) |
| Re-entry Permit | 1. Implementation of Re-entry Permit Exemption System (Effective from Dec. 1, 2010, as per amended regulations)
* Registered foreigners are exempt from re-entry permits if they return to Korea within **1 year** from the date of departure. * If the remaining period of stay is less than 1 year, the exemption applies within the remaining period of stay. > ※ However, individuals subject to entry restrictions or visa issuance restrictions must visit the immigration office (or branch office) with jurisdiction over their place of stay to obtain a re-entry permit. 2. Multiple Re-entry Permits (Citizens of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Libya are generally restricted from obtaining multiple re-entry permits. However, nationals from these countries with Marriage Migrant (F-6), Student (D-2), or General Training (D-4) status are eligible.) * Applicable when a person wishes to re-enter Korea within 2 years of departure and beyond 1 year (but within the valid stay period). * Required Documents : * Application form (Annex Form No. 34) * Original passport * Alien Registration Card * Application fee |
| Foreign Registration | 1. Required Documents for Foreign Registration
① Application form (Annex Form No. 34), original passport, one standard-size photo, application fee ② Business registration certificate in accordance with the Value-Added Tax Act ③ Proof of residence 2. Reporting Changes to Foreign Registration Information a. Reportable Items : Name, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport number, date of issuance, and expiration date b. Reporting Deadline : Within 15 days from the date of change c. Required Documents : ① Application form (Annex Form No. 34), passport, and Alien Registration Card (no fee required) ② Supporting documents related to the change |
