Hello,
This is Hyunsik Ko from KOWORK. 😀
Today, let’s talk about changing workplaces for foreign workers who already hold an E-7 visa.
Many HR managers believe that “if someone already has an E-7 visa, they can be hired immediately,” but did you know that the procedures and regulations vary greatly depending on the occupation?
In particular, some occupations require prior authorization from Immigration before changing workplaces, while others only need to report after the change.
If you don’t understand this difference, the hiring process could be delayed, or in the worst cases, it may not be possible to hire the person at all.
Today, I’ll clearly organize this information by occupation category.
Q. “If someone has an E-7 visa, can’t they start working right away?”
Many HR managers wrongly assume that E-7 visa holders can start working immediately without any additional procedures.
However, that’s not the case.
First, employees holding an E-7 visa with the following occupation codes must visit the Immigration Office and obtain prior approval to change workplaces.
1. Occupations Requiring Prior Approval for Workplace Change/Addition
The following 19 occupations require prior approval from Immigration:
E-7-1 (4 occupations)
- Mechanical Engineers (2351)
- Drafters (2395)
- Overseas Salesperson (2742) — limited to Overseas Online Product Salespersons
- Designers (285)
E-7-2 (5 occupations)
- Sales Clerks (31215)
- Kitchen Chef & Cook (441)
- Customer Service Clerk (3991)
- Hotel Reception Clerk (3922)
- Medical Coordinator (S3922)
E-7-3 (7 occupations)
- Fish Farming Technicians (6301)
- Shipbuilding Welders (7430)
- Ship Electricians (76212)
- Ship Painters (78369)
- Aircraft (Parts) Manufacturers (S8417)
- Transmission Power Line Electricians (76231)
- Automobile Parts Manufacturers (S85411)
E-7-4 (3 occupations)
- Skilled Worker (Points System) in Root Industry (S740)
- Skilled Worker in Agriculture, Forestry, and Livestock (S610)
- Skilled Worker in General Manufacturing and Construction (S700)
Persons subject to prior authorization for change or addition of workplace
Approval is determined after review, and Immigration may request additional documents during the process.
✅ Required documents:
- Integrated Application Form, Passport, Alien Registration Card, Fee: 120,000 KRW
- Proof of business status of the original employer (documents proving closure, wage arrears, business downturn via VAT return, etc.)
- Transfer Consent Form from the original employer (free format)
- If the original employer closed, failed to pay wages, violated employment terms, or if the contract ended and you worked until the end, supporting documents can replace the consent form
- In the case of business downturn, both proof and consent form are needed
- Original & copy of employment contract (must include hourly wage, daily work hours, contract period of 3 months or more, and job description)
- Business registration certificate and corporate registry
- Tax payment certificate or financial statement of the new workplace (National Tax Payment Certificate & Local Tax Payment Certificate)
- Document proving employment necessity (recommendation letter for occupations that require it, or employment reason statement for others)
- Employment insurance record (if applicable)
- Guarantee letter
- Proof of residence (lease contract or housing provision confirmation)
- Foreign worker job report
⚠️Note:
If the employee was dismissed or resigned mid-term due to their own fault, they cannot change workplaces without the original employer’s consent.
If such an E-7 visa holder in these 19 occupations quits or is fired without a consent form, they cannot change workplaces domestically.
To get a work visa for a new job, they must leave Korea and apply for a new E-7 visa from their home country through an invitation process.
2. Occupations Requiring Post-Reporting for Workplace Change/Addition
E-7 visa holders with occupation codes other than the 19 listed above are subject to post-reporting.
Notification must be made within 15 days of the change to the head of the competent Immigration Office, and an in-person visit is normally required.
✅ Required documents (Workplace Change Notification for E-7):
- Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34)
- Passport
- Alien Registration Card
- No fee (additional 60,000 KRW if extending stay period)
- Transfer Consent Form from the original employer
- Waived if you worked until the contract ended or until the mutually agreed end date
- If the original employer closed or failed to pay wages, supporting documents or a statement can be substituted
- Original & copy of employment contract (same employment contract requirements as above)
- Employment certificate
- Business registration certificate & corporate registry of the new workplace
- Tax payment certificate or financial statement of the new workplace
- Document proving employment necessity (recommendation letter for required jobs, or employment reason statement for others)
- Employment insurance record (if applicable)
- Foreign worker job report (separate form)
- Proof of residence in Korea
- If owned: real estate registry
- If rented: lease contract
- If provided by another person: ID copy of the provider + housing provision confirmation form
- If the provider’s address is different: property ownership/lease proof, provision confirmation form, and ID copy
⚠️Note:
If the employee was dismissed or resigned mid-term for personal reasons, workplace change without the original employer’s consent is not allowed for prior approval occupations.
However, for post-reporting occupations, even if they quit or are fired for personal reasons, they can still remain in Korea and have a new employer issue a fresh E-7 visa domestically.
That’s the overview of hiring foreign workers who already hold an E-7 visa.
If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Contact:
E-mail: hyunsik@kowork.kr
TEL: 02-6951-4108
