Top-Tier Visas: D-10-T, E-7-T, F-2-T, and F-5-T — Eligible Applicants and Procedures in the Manual
Based on Ministry of Justice manual (2026-09-18) · Translated from the Korean original.
The excerpt does not specify the detailed eligibility requirements or periods of stay for D-10-T, E-7-T, F-2-T, or F-5-T. It does, however, describe the K-Tech Pass program, the Ministry of Science and ICT’s Top-Tier recommendation process, and a form for stating reasons for failure to meet the livelihood requirements.
At a glance
Who it is for
- The K-Tech Pass program is intended to support outstanding overseas talent who plan to work for companies in Korea’s high-tech industries.
- Under the program guide, the education criterion is a master’s degree or higher from a university ranked among the world’s top 100 in engineering.
- Under the program guide, the work experience criterion is at least eight years of experience at a company ranked among the world’s top 500.
- Under the program guide, the annual salary criterion is at least three times the GNI per capita.
- The guide states that the above requirements may be waived for individuals with outstanding technical expertise or capabilities.
What you can do
- The excerpt does not specify the permitted activities or whether employment is allowed under each detailed status of stay.
- Restricted fields of employment listed include gambling-related businesses, danran-jujeom (단란주점) and entertainment bar businesses, and businesses involving activities contrary to good morals and public order.
- Private tutoring and activities outside the scope of the status of stay are also listed as restricted.
- The K-Tech Pass program guide lists unrestricted employment for the spouse as a support measure, but the excerpt does not specify the detailed conditions for its application.
Applications & documents
Applying for the K-Tech Pass
Companies inviting outstanding overseas talent apply online through the KOTRA Overseas Talent Recruitment Center (해외인재유치센터) website.
Requesting a Top-Tier recommendation from the Ministry of Science and ICT
- Formal recommendation request from the inviting institution
- Proof of employment, such as an employment contract
The inviting institution submits a formal request to the Ministry of Science and ICT (과기정통부), together with the relevant documents. The guide states that an application may also be made during the employment consultation stage.
Visa application and issuance
- Documents including a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Science and ICT
Submit documents, including a recommendation letter, for review and issuance by the Ministry of Justice. The K-Tech Pass program guide states that expedited online issuance takes two weeks and does not require a visit to an overseas diplomatic mission.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What are the eligibility requirements for D-10-T, E-7-T, F-2-T, and F-5-T?
The excerpt does not specify the detailed eligibility requirements for each of the four statuses of stay. It lists the education, work experience, and annual salary criteria for the K-Tech Pass program, but these cannot be assumed to be common requirements for each status of stay.
Q. What are the education, work experience, and annual salary criteria for the K-Tech Pass program?
The program guide lists a master’s degree or higher from a university ranked among the world’s top 100 in engineering, at least eight years of work experience at a company ranked among the world’s top 500, and an annual salary of at least three times the GNI per capita. It states that these requirements may be waived for individuals with outstanding technical expertise or capabilities.
Q. How long can I stay on a Top-Tier visa?
The excerpt does not state the maximum period of stay for a single stay under D-10-T, E-7-T, F-2-T, or F-5-T.
Q. How do I apply for a recommendation letter?
The inviting institution submits the relevant documents and formally requests a recommendation from the Ministry of Science and ICT (과기정통부). The guide states that an application may also be made during the employment consultation stage, and that a recommendation letter will be issued once proof of employment, such as an employment contract, has been confirmed.
Q. Where do I apply for a Top-Tier visa?
The process involves submitting documents, including a recommendation letter, for review and issuance by the Ministry of Justice. The guide states that, for applicants under the K-Tech Pass program, expedited online issuance takes two weeks and does not require a visit to an overseas diplomatic mission.
Q. What should I do if I cannot meet the livelihood requirements because I am unemployed or for another reason?
The excerpt includes a Statement of Reasons for Failure to Meet Income Requirements, Such as Unemployment (실직 등 소득 요건 미충족 사유서) form. The form requires applicants to describe both their economic activities to date and their future plans, but it does not specify how to submit it or provide any other requirements.
Q. What happens if I provide false information on the statement of reasons for failing to meet the livelihood requirements?
The form states that providing false information may result in disadvantages, including cancellation of the status of stay, pursuant to Article 89 of the Immigration Control Act (출입국관리법).
Q. Are there any documents I need when changing workplaces?
The excerpt includes Korean and English versions of a Transfer Consent Form (이적 동의서). However, it does not specify the detailed submission requirements, such as whether the form must be submitted for every change of workplace.
Watch out for
- Providing false information on the statement of reasons may result in disadvantages, including cancellation of the status of stay.
- The guide lists fields in which employment is restricted. Take care not to work in restricted fields, such as gambling-related businesses, danran-jujeom (단란주점) or entertainment bar businesses, and similar establishments.
- The K-Tech Pass program’s support criteria must be distinguished from the detailed requirements for each Top-Tier status of stay. The excerpt does not provide detailed requirements for each status.
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.