Scope of activity of the five visa statuses
| Professor (E-1) | Teaching, research and supervision in a specialist field at an educational institution at junior college level or above, or an equivalent institution |
|---|---|
| Foreign language instructor (E-2) | Foreign language conversation teaching at foreign language institutes, educational institutions at primary school level or above, affiliated language research institutes and similar places |
| Research (E-3) | Research and development at a research institute at the invitation of a public body or private organisation. People who fall under Professor (E-1) are excluded |
| Professional occupation (E-5) | Professional work in law, accounting, medicine and similar fields by holders of national qualifications recognised under Korean law, such as foreign lawyers, certified public accountants and doctors. People who fall under Professor (E-1) are excluded |
| Professional employment (E-7-1) | Activities specially designated by the Minister of Justice under a contract with an institution or organisation in Korea |
Common points of confusion
- Being a professional does not decide it on its own
- Holders of national qualifications, such as lawyers, accountants and doctors, also need their qualification recognised under Korean law to fall under Professional occupation (E-5). If the qualification is not eligible for recognition, or the structure is a contract with an institution in Korea for an activity designated by the Minister of Justice, we also look at Professional employment (E-7-1).
- Not everyone at an educational institution is on Professor (E-1)
- We look at whether the institution is at junior college level or above, or an equivalent institution, and whether the duties are teaching, research and supervision in a specialist field. If the person only teaches foreign language conversation, the role is looked at separately under Foreign language instructor (E-2).
- Not everyone at a research institute is on Research (E-3)
- Research (E-3) covers research and development at a research institute at the invitation of a Korean public body or private organisation, and the Enforcement Decree excludes people who fall under Professor (E-1) from Research (E-3). Even at a company-affiliated research institute, the role is sometimes treated as Professional employment (E-7-1), depending on the contract structure.
- A degree or work experience alone does not decide it
- All five visa statuses list degrees and work experience as categories of evidence. Having the documents ready is a separate matter from the outcome of the review. We first check the institution, the type of contract and the duties.
Before the consultation
For your first enquiry, tell us the hiring company, the role and the candidate's education and work experience instead of sending documents. We use this information to check first which visa status applies.
What to tell us first
- The hiring company and the duties of the role
- The type of institution the candidate will belong to
- The type and length of the employment contract
- The candidate's education, work experience and current visa status
Documents we ask for later
- Original employment contract
- Degree certificate and certificate of work experience
- Company register and business registration certificate
- Copies of the passport and ID
We ask only for the sensitive documents the review needs, and keep and delete them under our privacy policy.
Frequently asked questions
Professor (E-1) covers teaching, research and supervision at educational institutions at junior college level or above. Foreign language instructor (E-2) covers foreign language conversation teaching. Research (E-3) covers research and development at a research institute at the invitation of a public body or private organisation. Professional occupation (E-5) covers professional work under a national qualification recognised under Korean law. Professional employment (E-7-1) covers activities specially designated by the Minister of Justice under a contract with an institution or organisation in Korea.
We first check whether the role fits the scope of activity and the institution requirements of professor, foreign language instructor, research or professional occupation. If it does not, we review Professional employment (E-7-1), based on the contract and an activity designated by the Minister of Justice.
K-Biz Visa does not file applications for Professor (E-1), Foreign language instructor (E-2), Research (E-3) or Professional occupation (E-5). We advise on whether the person you plan to hire falls under Professional employment (E-7-1).
Providing specialist knowledge in the natural sciences or technology in a special industrial field at the invitation of a Korean public body or private organisation is looked at separately under Technical instruction (E-4). K-Biz Visa also advises on Technical instruction (E-4).
All five visa statuses list degrees and work experience as categories of evidence. We also check the type of institution, the contract structure and whether the qualification is recognised in Korea. Having the documents ready is a separate matter from the outcome of the review.
Related agencies and laws
The procedures and criteria on this page follow the guidance of the agencies and the laws below. How they apply is checked case by case.
Agencies
- Ministry of Justice immigration offices
- Korea Visa Portal
Laws
- Immigration Act
- Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act
- Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act
Send an enquiryTell us the role you plan to hire for and the candidate's work experience, and we will reply with whether it falls under Professional employment (E-7-1) and the documents the company needs to prepare.