Back

VISA

What is the E-7-M Visa? A Complete Guide to Manufacturing Employment for International College Students (2026)

Are you aware of the E-7-M visa, newly established by the government for international students with relevant majors to address the labor shortage in Korea's manufacturing sector?


At a Glance, the E-7-M visa is an employment status of residence issued to international students who have graduated from a manufacturing-related major at a Korean junior college, and is also known as the 'K-CORE visa.' Key requirements include graduating from a department designated by the Ministry of Justice, achieving TOPIK Level 5 (or Social Integration Program Level 4) or higher, and securing an employment contract worth at least 26 million KRW per year. As of March 2026, it is in the pilot phase targeting 16 junior colleges, and conversion to an F-2 (Residence) visa is possible after 5 years of employment or 3 years of continuous service in a population-declining area.

⚠️ Please be sure to check before reading this. This article is an administrative guide for reference purposes, compiled based on publicly available materials such as the Ministry of Justice Announcement (No. 2025-379) and government policy briefings. As of March 2026, the E-7-M visa is in the pilot project phase, and the establishment of new status of residence codes and the notification of detailed screening criteria may not yet have been finalized or implemented. For final determination, please be sure to check the official announcements from the competent Immigration Office and HiKorea .





What is an E-7-M visa?

E-7-M stands for 'Korea College-to-Regional Employment' and is an employment status granted to international students who have acquired Korean language skills and specialized manufacturing-related technical expertise at a domestic junior college. It is a newly created sub-code under the existing E-7 (Specified Activities) system and is also known by the nickname 'K-CORE Visa'.

'M' signifies an intermediate skill level between skilled professionals (E-7-1) and non-skilled workers (E-9). It embodies a policy direction to supply local industries with personnel systematically trained at domestic educational institutions, replacing the existing method of directly importing low-skilled labor from overseas.




Why was this system newly created?

The Ministry of Justice officially announced plans to establish the E-7-M visa on March 3, 2026, while releasing the '2030 Future Strategy for Immigration Policy.' The background can be summarized in three points.

First, there is the chronic labor shortage in regional small and medium-sized manufacturing companies. Existing systems, such as the non-specialized employment (E-9) visa, had limitations in securing mid-level personnel with technical skills.

Second, domestic employment pathways for international students at junior colleges were limited. Since the existing E-7-1 visa requires a bachelor's degree or higher as a prerequisite, it was difficult for associate degree graduates to utilize.

Third, the policy objectives of economic revitalization in areas of population decline and encouraging foreign settlement have been combined. This is why the system was designed to encourage local permanent residency rather than simply offering work visas.




From Admission to Settlement: The E-7-M 4-Step Path

The E-7-M program is characterized not merely by visa issuance, but by the design of a consistent pathway from the student admission stage to employment and settlement after graduation.

step Status of residence Key Requirements and Benefits
1. Admission D-2 (Study Abroad) Exemption from financial ability requirement upon holding TOPIK Level 3 or higher (20 million KRW for the Seoul Metropolitan Area / 16 million KRW for other regions)
2. Currently enrolled D-2 (Study Abroad) Expansion of part-time employment hours from 30 to 35 hours per week
3. Employment after graduation E-7-M (K-CORE) Meeting Korean language requirements + Employment contract with a major-related company worth over 26 million KRW per year
4. Long-term stay F-2 (Residence) You can apply with an E-7-M if you are employed for 5 years or work for 3 years in a population decline area.

This structure is the nation's first foreign workforce training model that connects "study abroad → employment → settlement" into a single track.




What are the requirements for issuing an E-7-M visa?

The requirements that international students must meet to obtain an E-7-M visa are as follows:

item requirements
Education Graduate of a Ministry of Justice-designated 'Development-oriented Specialized Technical Department' (Associate Degree)
Korean language upon admission Choose one from TOPIK Level 3 or higher / Completion of Social Integration Program Level 3 or higher / Sejong Institute Intermediate Korean Level 1 or higher
Korean at graduation Completion of Social Integration Program Level 4 or TOPIK Level 5 or higher
employment contract Contract with a company related to the major
wages Starting salary of 26 million won or more per year

In particular, it is important to note that the Korean language requirements are structured to increase step by step (Level 3 for admission → Level 5 for graduation). You can consider this to presuppose continuous Korean language learning throughout your enrollment.




Which university should I study at? (16 pilot universities)

To be recognized as an E-7-M visa eligible program, the university must meet all of the following requirements.

  • University Type: Junior College under the Higher Education Act
  • Accreditation: Universities accredited or higher in the 2024 Education Internationalization Competency Certification System
  • Target Majors: Manufacturing-related majors (Automotive, Precision Machinery, Electrical, etc.)
  • Excluded fields: Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts and Physical Education; Services (Hotels and Healthcare); Shipbuilding (separate wide-area visa program)
  • Recruitment Quota: Within 100% of the department's enrollment capacity, maximum 50 people

The Ministry of Justice conducted department recruitment from December 8, 2025, to January 9, 2026, and designated one department each at 16 junior colleges nationwide as a pilot program in February 2026.


16 Junior Colleges and Departments Designated as Pilots in 2026

zone university specialty
metropolitan area Gyeonggi Institute of Science and Technology Future Electric Vehicle Department
metropolitan area Daerim University Department of Future Automotive Engineering
metropolitan area Bucheon University Textile and Fashion Business Department
metropolitan area Seojeong University Global Textile & Fashion Business Department
metropolitan area Osan University Electrical Engineering Department
metropolitan area Yongin College of Arts and Sciences Department of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering
Yeongnam Yeongjin College SmartCAD/CAM and
Yeongnam Gumi University Department of Special Construction Machinery Engineering
Yeongnam Gyeongnam Information University Mechanical Engineering
Yeongnam Dong-eui University of Science and Technology Department of Mechanical Engineering
Yeongnam Busan Institute of Science and Technology Automotive Department
Yeongnam Geoje University Department of Mechanical Engineering
Yeongnam Ulsan College of Science Department of Mechanical Engineering
Honam and Chungcheong Gunjangdae Smart Agro-food Division
Honam and Chungcheong Jeonju Vision University Department of Future Mobility
Honam and Chungcheong Mokpo Science University Department of New and Renewable Energy and Electrical Engineering

The eligible universities and departments may be expanded or adjusted in the future based on the evaluation of the pilot project's performance.




How is it different from the existing E-7-1 visa?

E-7-M is a new pathway clearly distinct from the existing E-7-1 (Specific Activities). The key differences are summarized as follows:

item E-7-1 (Existing skilled personnel) E-7-M (K-CORE, newly established)
Education Bachelor's degree or higher Associate's degree
Major scope 67 specialized occupations Limited to manufacturing-related majors
Korean language requirements No separate requirements TOPIK Level 5 or KIIP Level 4
Wage requirements Over 80% of GNI (approximately 31.12 million won per year as of 2026) Starting salary of 26 million won or more per year
Regional Linkage nationwide Center of the region where the designated university is located
F-2 switching route Separate pathways such as the F-2-7 point system Application upon 5 years of employment or 3 years of continuous service in a population decline area

The E-7-M is a pathway exclusively for junior college graduates, and instead of the existing E-7-1's 'Bachelor's degree + work experience' requirement, 'Korean language proficiency + connection to local industries' serves as the core evaluation factor.




5 Key Benefits for International Students

International students admitted to the training-oriented vocational technical department can receive the following benefits.

  1. Exemption from Financial Ability Requirement — If you have TOPIK Level 3 or higher, proof of financial ability (20 million KRW for the capital area / 16 million KRW for other regions) is waived when issuing a D-2 visa.
  2. Expansion of part-time employment — Students can work up to 35 hours per week (an increase of 5 hours compared to the previous 30 hours).
  3. Changes to academic records are permitted — transfer to other domestic universities and transfers within the same university are allowed.
  4. Dedicated work visa after graduation — An E-7-M visa is issued upon employment at a company related to your major.
  5. Residence (F-2) Conversion Pathway — You can apply for F-2 status after 5 years of employment or 3 years of continuous service in a population decline area.

This simplifies the existing process for international students, who previously had to go through the D-10 (job search) process after graduation and apply separately for E-7-1, into a single track.




4 Risks You Must Check Before Applying

The E-7-M visa is an attractive program, but you must review the following risks in advance.

1. Risk of Major-Employment Mismatch: If the major of a specialized technical department does not match the industry of the employing company, visa issuance may be denied. The specific scope of 'major-related companies' may vary depending on the screening criteria of the competent immigration office.

2. Risk of Wage Shortage: The standard of an annual starting salary of 26 million KRW or more is based on the pilot project period and is subject to change in the future. You must verify the latest standards before signing an employment contract.

3. Regional Restriction Risk Since the purpose of this system is to foster a workforce for local industries, there may be restrictions on employment in specific regions, such as the Seoul metropolitan area. Specific regional restriction criteria need to be verified.

4. Risks to Status of Residence Upon Termination of Pilot Project The pilot project will operate until the end of 2027, and its extension, regularization, reduction, or discontinuation will be decided based on performance evaluations (employment rate, illegal stay rate, nationality diversity, etc.). Since measures to maintain the status of residence for E-7-M visa holders should the pilot project be discontinued have not yet been clearly disclosed, please continuously check for policy updates at the Foreigners Information Center (☎1345) or HiKorea.




Who should use the E-7-M visa?

The E-7-M visa is best suited for the following two groups.

① International students currently studying or preparing to enroll in manufacturing-related majors at Korean junior colleges can secure a pathway to employment in skilled technical positions and even long-term settlement in Korea without a bachelor's degree.

② This serves as a new recruitment option for local small and medium-sized manufacturing employers seeking to stably secure foreign workers with intermediate technical skills.

However, depending on your situation, a different path may be more suitable.

My situation Suitable path
Professional personnel with a bachelor's degree or higher E-7-1 (Existing Specific Activities)
Non-professional employment (E-9) experienced workers E-7-4 (Skilled Workforce Point System)
International students majoring in manufacturing at junior colleges E-7-M (K-CORE)

It is most accurate to understand E-7-M as a newly created 'third route' between E-7-1 and E-9.




Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Can I apply for the E-7-M visa right now?

A. As of March 2026, the E-7-M program is in the pilot phase, and status of residence codes and detailed screening criteria are being implemented in stages. The system will be applied sequentially starting with students admitted to the 16 designated "Development-Type" departments at junior colleges in February 2026, and the actual issuance of E-7-M visas will occur after graduation from the respective departments. You must check the latest application eligibility dates on HiKorea.


Q2. Can I work in the capital area with an E-7-M visa?

A. Since the core purpose of the E-7-M program is to foster a workforce for local industries, employment is expected to occur primarily in the regions where the designated universities are located. Graduates from designated universities within the Seoul metropolitan area (such as Gyeonggi Institute of Science and Technology, Daelim University, and Bucheon National University) have the potential for employment within the capital region; however, specific criteria for regional restrictions will be announced as the pilot project progresses.


Q3. Can I substitute TOPIK Level 5 with another Korean language test?

A. For graduation, you must meet the Korean language requirement by achieving TOPIK Level 5 or higher, or completing Level 4 of the Korea Institute for Social Integration Program (KIIP). Other Korean language exams, such as the Sejong Institute exam, are not officially recognized. However, the Sejong Institute Intermediate Korean Level 1 is also recognized as the Korean language requirement (Level 3) at the time of admission.


Q4. What happens to the E-7-M visa once the pilot project ends?

A. The pilot program will operate until the end of 2027, after which regularization, expansion, reduction, or discontinuation will be decided based on a performance evaluation. Measures to maintain the status of residence for holders of E-7-M visas issued during the pilot program have not yet been clearly disclosed. Please keep an eye on official announcements from the Ministry of Justice in anticipation of the program's conclusion and consult with a professional administrative consultant if necessary.


Q5. Can I invite family members to Korea with an E-7-M visa?

A. Generally, holders of E-7 series visas can invite their spouses and minor children via an F-3 (dependent) visa. While it is highly likely that the E-7-M will operate under the same system, detailed criteria for inviting accompanying family members during the pilot program phase may be announced separately. You must verify the exact details with the competent Immigration Office.



The E-7-M visa is a newly opened employment and settlement pathway for international students at Korean junior colleges, but as it is currently in the pilot program phase, careful consideration tailored to individual circumstances is required.

  • If you are concerned about the complex visa process, consult with a Jobflowy administrative consultant to find a visa strategy tailored to your situation.
  • You can immediately check job postings for manufacturing and production positions that match your major on Jobflowy.
  • If you need resume editing or interview preparation ahead of graduation, Jobploy's dedicated 1:1 recruitment manager will assist you.

The real journey begins the moment you receive your diploma. We are fully aware that the entire process—checking visa requirements, preparing documents, and interviewing in a foreign land—is not easy. JOBPLOY, a recruitment platform for international students, will stand by your side from the very first step of recruitment to your stable settlement, ensuring that you can fully unfold your career in Korea.

E-7-M E7M K-Core junior colleges Foreigner employment visa Development-type specialized technical personnel 2030 Immigration Policy

Jobploy Team Manager

I am a dedicated recruitment manager at Jobploy.