Hello, this is KOWORK, a foreign talent recruitment platform.
Many foreigners working in Korea on a Working Holiday visa (H-1) later receive full-time job offers from companies and begin considering a switch to a professional work visa (E-7). During this process, there is one question we are asked more than any other:
“Can I change my visa directly from H-1 to E-7 while staying in Korea, or do I need to leave Korea and re-enter?”
To give you the answer upfront: it depends on your nationality. Not all countries are treated the same—some nationalities are allowed to change their visa status within Korea, while others are required to leave Korea and re-enter after obtaining the E-7 visa abroad. Today, we’ll clearly explain the rules based on real consultation cases and official immigration standards.
Two ways to switch from an H-1 visa to an E-7 visa
There are two different paths to changing from a Working Holiday visa (H-1) to a professional employment visa (E-7), depending on your nationality.
1️⃣ Nationalities eligible for in-country status change
If you hold citizenship from one of the countries below and meet all E-7 visa requirements (including a confirmed full-time job offer), you can apply for a change of status from H-1 to E-7 directly at a Korean immigration office without leaving Korea.
- Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Sweden, Czech Republic, Austria, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Portugal, Netherlands, Argentina, Andorra
2️⃣ Nationalities required to leave Korea and re-enter
If you hold citizenship from one of the countries below, you cannot change from H-1 to E-7 while staying in Korea. You must leave Korea, apply for an E-7 visa at a Korean embassy or consulate in your home country, and then re-enter Korea. Even if you have worked in Korea for a long time, applications for a change of status will not be accepted inside Korea for these nationalities.
- France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Israel, Chile
Why do these differences exist?
These differences are not based on individual circumstances, but on the terms of the Working Holiday agreements between Korea and each country. Some countries’ agreements allow a change of visa status during the Working Holiday stay, while others strictly limit the H-1 visa to short-term cultural and travel purposes only. As a result, Korean immigration authorities clearly classify eligibility for status changes by nationality in their system.
Important practical considerations you should know
Even if your nationality allows an in-country change, approval is not automatic. You must still meet all E-7 requirements, including:
- Job eligibility and job category requirements
- Educational background or work experience requirements
- Salary thresholds
- Employment contract conditions
- Employer eligibility
Additionally, there are real cases where applicants were asked to leave Korea if their H-1 visa expiration date was too close, even if their nationality normally allows in-country changes. That’s why it is extremely important to review both nationality rules and individual conditions together.
How KOWORK supports you
As a platform specializing in both foreign recruitment and visa transitions, KOWORK provides:
✔ Nationality-based eligibility checks for H-1 → E-7 conversion
✔ Pre-review of whether the company’s hiring structure meets E-7 requirements
✔ Clear guidance on whether in-country change or overseas application is required
✔ Practical, real-world guidance for both employers and foreign employees
If you are considering switching from an H-1 Working Holiday visa to an E-7 professional work visa, the most important step is confirming your nationality-based eligibility with expert guidance—not making assumptions on your own. 👍
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us anytime!
