Professional (E-5) Visa — Eligibility, Period of Stay, and Documents for Application and Extension
Based on Ministry of Justice manual (2026-09-18) · Translated from the Korean original.
Professional (E-5) is a status of stay for foreign nationals who intend to engage in professional work that they are legally permitted to perform under the laws of the Republic of Korea. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements for the work, including holding a foreign, state-certified qualification recognized under the laws of the Republic of Korea.
At a glance
Who it is for
- A person who holds a foreign, state-certified qualification recognized under the laws of the Republic of Korea and intends to engage in professional work that may be performed in Korea
- An aircraft pilot recommended by the Minister of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (국토해양부장관)
- A doctor with expertise in the latest medical science or advanced medical techniques who has been recommended for employment by the Minister of Health and Welfare (보건복지부장관) and intends to work at a designated type of medical institution
- A person who has graduated from a Korean university or professional graduate school of medicine, dentistry, or Korean medicine and is undertaking an internship or residency at an affiliated university hospital or a hospital designated by the Minister of Health and Welfare
- Essential ship personnel invited by a person approved to conduct an inter-Korean cooperation project, for purposes such as operating a tourist vessel
- A person employed by a domestic shipping company or similar employer who intends to work as a captain or other essential specialist required for the operation of ships
- A first- or second-class deck officer, a first- or second-class engineer, or a person whose crew qualification certificate lists them as a captain, chief engineer, or management-level officer, recommended by the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries (해양수산부장관)
What you can do
- You may engage in professional work that you are legally permitted to perform under the laws of the Republic of Korea.
- If you study at a regular educational institution without interfering with the original purpose of your stay, you do not need separate permission for activities outside your status of stay during your period of stay.
- Employment by a spouse of a professional worker is governed by the visa issuance and stay management guidelines for the Dependent (F-3) status.
- If you intend to teach at a university for no more than 90 days, you may apply for permission to engage in activities outside your status of stay under Short-Term Employment (C-4-5).
Period of stay
The maximum period of stay that may be granted at one time is five years. For certain single-entry visas issued to pilots employed by domestic airlines and essential specialists required for the operation of ships, the head of a diplomatic mission abroad may grant a period of stay of up to one year.
Applications & documents
Visa Issuance
- Visa Application Form (사증발급신청서, 별지 제17호 서식)
- Passport
- One standard-format photograph
- Copies of degree certificates and qualification certificates (licenses)
- Employment recommendation from the head of the relevant central administrative agency or documents demonstrating the need for employment
- Employment contract
Those eligible for visa issuance at the discretion of the head of a diplomatic mission abroad are pilots employed by domestic airlines and some essential specialists required for the operation of ships employed by domestic shipping companies or similar employers. The head of a diplomatic mission abroad may add or omit documents as necessary. Professional personnel are eligible for e-visas.
Application for a Certificate of Visa Issuance
- Application for a Certificate of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정신청서, 별지 제21호 서식)
- Passport
- One standard-format photograph
- Letter explaining the reason for invitation
- Copies of degree certificates and qualification certificates
- Employment recommendation from the head of the relevant central administrative agency or documents demonstrating the need for employment
- Employment contract
Professional (E-5) visas for applicants other than those eligible for visa issuance at the discretion of the head of a diplomatic mission abroad are issued through a Certificate of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서). The Chief of the Immigration Office may add or omit documents as necessary for review.
Permission to Change Status of Stay
- Application Form (신청서, 별지 제34호 서식)
- Passport and Alien Registration Card
- Copy of employment contract
- Copy of business registration certificate or the relevant business's permit or registration certificate
- Copies of degree certificates and qualification certificates
- Employment recommendation from the minister of the competent ministry
To change status from Student (D-2) or Job Seeker (D-10), you must be staying legally, meet the qualification requirements for the field of employment, and have an employment contract with the head of the relevant institution or organization. The application fee is KRW 100,000.
Permission to Extend Period of Stay
- Application Form (신청서, 별지 제34호 서식)
- Original passport
- One standard-format photograph
- Copy of employment contract
- Business registration certificate
- Proof of residence
The application fee for permission to extend the period of stay is KRW 60,000. As a rule, the period of stay is granted within the validity period of the passport.
Notification of Change or Addition of Workplace
- Notification of Change or Addition of Workplace (근무처 변경·추가 신고서, 별지 제38호의3 서식)
- Passport and Alien Registration Card
- Business registration certificate
- Letter of consent from the head of the original workplace
- Employment contract
You must meet the qualification requirements necessary to work at the new or additional workplace. Notify the competent Immigration Office (출입국·외국인관서) within 15 days from the date the reason for notification arises. A change of workplace requires an employment recommendation from the head of the competent ministry. There is no fee.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is the maximum period of stay for E-5?
The maximum period of stay that may be granted at one time is five years. As a rule, the actual period of stay is granted within the validity period of the passport.
Q. Do I apply for all E-5 visas at a diplomatic mission abroad?
Those eligible for visa issuance at the discretion of the head of a diplomatic mission abroad are certain pilots and essential specialists required for the operation of ships. Other Professional (E-5) visas are issued through a Certificate of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서).
Q. Can I obtain an E-5 visa online?
Professional personnel (E-5) are eligible for e-visas. For application procedures and payment of fees, the manual directs applicants to refer to the e-visa information for Professor (E-1).
Q. Can I change my status from D-2 or D-10 to E-5?
In some cases. You must meet all of the following requirements: be staying legally, meet the qualification requirements for the field of employment, and have an employment contract with the head of the relevant institution or organization.
Q. Do I need to obtain prior permission to change workplaces on E-5?
The manual states that a change or addition of workplace is subject to ex post facto notification. You must notify the authorities within 15 days from the date the reason for notification arises, and you must meet the qualification requirements for the new workplace.
Q. Can I study at a regular educational institution while staying in Korea on E-5?
If you study at an elementary, middle, or high school, or at a university, without interfering with the original purpose of your stay, you do not need separate permission for activities outside your status of stay during your period of stay.
Q. Can an E-5 holder teach at a university?
An E-5 holder who intends to teach at a university for no more than 90 days may apply for permission to engage in activities outside their status of stay under Short-Term Employment (C-4-5). Required documents include a letter of recommendation from the university president, a copy of the business registration certificate, an employment contract, and a letter of consent from the head of the original workplace.
Q. Do E-5 foreign nationals need to register as aliens?
The documents listed for an Alien Registration application are an application form, the original passport, a standard-format photograph, a business registration certificate, and proof of residence. The fee for issuing an Alien Registration Card is KRW 35,000.
Watch out for
- You must report a change or addition of workplace within 15 days from the date the reason for notification arises. Notification is not required if you were dismissed or resigned before the end of your contract for reasons attributable to you and were unable to obtain the original employer's consent to transfer.
- If you worked until the end date of the contract or a date mutually agreed by both parties, you do not need to submit a letter of consent from the head of the original workplace. If the original workplace has suspended or closed its business, or has failed to pay wages, supporting documents or a statement explaining the reason may be submitted instead.
- Foreign nationals holding a status of stay that permits employment must report their occupation and annual income when applying for Alien Registration or various permissions related to their stay, and must report any change in occupation.
- As a rule, the period of stay is granted within the validity period of the passport. Check your passport's validity before applying to change or extend your status of stay.
Source
Compiled by AI from the Ministry of Justice "Visa Issuance Guide Manual" and "Residence Guide Manual" (HiKorea notice, in Korean). hikorea.go.kr
This is general guidance; the immigration office makes the final decision. Before applying, check the latest rules on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.