35,000 approvals/year, reduced residency requirement, no Korean language proficiency score required! (Until 2026)
We don't know how long this policy will last. Now is the chance.
35,000 Approvals/Year / Significantly Reduced Residency / No Korean Language Proficiency Score Required (Until Dec 31, 2026)
The first step towards family invitation, spouse employment, freedom to change jobs,
and F-5 Permanent Residency.
Stable Long-term Stay / Freedom to Change Jobs / Family Invitation & Spouse Employment
Better jobs, Korean language education, and the degrees you need for F-5 —
K-BUDDY will help your settlement in Korea every step of the way.
Job Guidance for F-5 / Korean Language & Degree Support / Korean Settlement Support
If you miss this opportunity, it may not come again
Up to 35,000 E-9, E-10, and H-2 visa workers can change to E-7-4(R) visa annually. This is a massive expansion from the previous limit of 2,000–5,000 per year.
However, we don't know how long this policy will last.
Therefore, foreign workers who meet the visa change requirements must apply immediately.
Previously, a minimum residency of 5 years was required to change from an E-9, E-10, or H-2 visa to the E-7-4(R) visa.
Now, residency requirements have been relaxed to 4 years for residents of Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi, 3 years for all other areas, and only 2 years for residents of depopulation regions.
Until December 31, 2026, applicants may apply for E-7-4(R) visa change even without TOPIK Level 2.
You only need to obtain TOPIK Level 2 within 2 years after your visa change. This allows you to secure a stable status of stay first and then take sufficient time to build your language skills.
Because this policy applies only to applications filed by December 31, 2026, all eligible workers must submit their applications before this date.
If you change to E-7-4(R), your future changes like this.
For E-9, E-10, and H-2 visas, you can work at one workplace for a maximum of 4 years and 10 months, then you must leave for your home country and re-enter with a new E-9 visa. This incurs unnecessary time and costs, and if there are issues with the employment contract, you might not be able to re-enter.
However, if you change to E-7-4(R), you can stay for a long time stably by renewing your employment contract every 2 years.
Under E-9, E-10, and H-2 visas, it is impossible to change jobs or regions without the employer's permission.
However, with the E-7-4(R) visa, once you complete your initial 2-year employment contract, you can freely change your job and region afterward.
This opens opportunities to work where your abilities are more appreciated and with better treatment.
If you change to E-7-4(R), you can invite your spouse and minor children to live together.
Ordinary but precious moments, such as your children attending Korean schools and your family spending weekends at the park, will become part of your daily life.
Furthermore, since spouse employment is allowed, your family can achieve economic independence much faster.
The E-7-4(R) visa is not the end. It is just the beginning. This visa serves as an important stepping stone to acquire an F-2 Residence visa and ultimately, F-5 Permanent Residency visa in the long term.
To obtain F-5 Permanent Residency, you must go through an F-2 visa. After changing to the E-7-4(R) visa, you can qualify for the F-2-R visa after 2 years or the F-2-99 visa after 5 years.
Acquiring an F-5 visa is not easy, but if you start with the E-7-4(R) visa, you will eventually be able to reach the F-5 visa.
K-BUDDY will be your guide until you acquire the F-5 Permanent Residency visa.
To aim for the F-5 Permanent Residency visa, high income is most important.
Even if you and your spouse both work, meeting the current requirement of twice the GNI per capita is not easy.
Changing to the E-7-4(R) visa is the first step toward accessing a better job. Furthermore, once you change to an F-2 visa, you can start your own business in addition to employment activities.
K-BUDDY will continue to be with you through this entire journey.
To obtain F-2 and F-5 visas, you also need to acquire Korean Language Proficiency Score Level 4 or 5.
K-BUDDY will actively guide and support your Korean language studies.
Additionally, earning a Korean university degree is a shortcut to acquiring F-2 and F-5 visas.
K-BUDDY will connect you with cyber universities and assist with admission, enabling you to earn a degree while continuing to work.
K-BUDDY hopes that Korea becomes a diverse, multicultural society.
We will help foreign workers not to be discriminated against, and help people from various countries thrive together and live while demonstrating their respective abilities.
Everything You Need for Your Visa Change is Here.
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No, all services of K-BUDDY are completely free.
However, separate costs apply only if you use Jinsim Law Firm's professional services (e.g., document preparation, visa application service). (Optional)
You can use most services without signing up.
Signing up unlocks additional features, such as printing eligibility reports, participating in community discussions, and accessing private consultations.
E-7-4 (Skilled Worker):
E-7-4R (Regional Specialized Skilled Worker):
If you meet both visa requirements, consider the following to choose:
It means you can apply for the visa change now without a Korean language proficiency score, and submit later. In the past, a Korean language proficiency score was mandatory at the time of application. Currently, for applications filed by Dec. 31, 2026, this requirement is deferred. However, if you do not acquire Korean language proficiency score level 2 within 2 years after the visa change, your visa may be cancelled.
Therefore, if it is difficult for you to study Korean right now, it is advantageous to apply within 2026.
Yes, the check reflects 100% of the Ministry of Justice's official standards (K-POINT E74)
However, the Eligibility Check result is for reference only. The final decision is made by the Immigration and Foreign Policy Headquarters of the Ministry of Justice.
Complex situations (e.g., criminal records, stay violations, etc.) may differ from the Eligibility Check results, so we recommend counseling with the law firm in this case.
No, it is not mandatory.
In most cases, you can prepare sufficiently on your own:
We recommend the Law Firm Service in these cases:
The Law Firm Service is optional, and you can use it only when you feel it is necessary.
Prepare for Your E-7-4 Visa Change Today
Until Dec 31, 2026 only! Apply without Korean Language Proficiency Score
35,000 approvals/year - Apply immediately if eligible
The first step toward living with family and F-5 Permanent Residency – Start Now!
You can use most services without signing up.
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