South Korean government will accept 165,000 E9 work visa holders in 2024. This is the largest number of E9 visa holders the South Korean government is going to allow in a year. The Ministry of Employment and Labor Korea confirmed it last month. This expected number can be less than this as the primary requirement of this visa is knowledge of the Korean language and the number of candidates who pass the test deeply affects the quota completion.
The Korean Government has significantly increased the number of quotas over the past few years.
| Years | E9 Visa Quota |
| 2024 | 165,000 |
| 2023 | 120,000 |
| 2022 | 69,000 |
| 2021 | 52,000 |
| 2020 | 56,000 |
Korean government has with the help of this visa helped many small businesses to overcome the shortage of workers due to the aging issue of Korean nationals.
The Korean government also advises helping the E-9 visa holder once they stay in the country for 4 years and they want to change their immigration status by moving to another visa or permanent residency.
The E-9 visa helps workers to stay in Korea for a longer period and also the chance of permanent residency.
The E-9 Work Visa was introduced in 2004. This visa is for foreign workers employed in non-professional without specific qualifications or experience in occupations such as:
- manufacturing,
- construction,
- agriculture,
- and livestock. where are not required.
Now this visa in 2024 has been expanded to also the following categories:
- restaurant,
- mining,
- forestry.
Company-wise allocations will be as follows for 2024:
- 95,000 in manufacturing,
- 16,000 in agriculture,
- 13,000 in services,
- 10,000 in fishing,
- 6,000 in construction,
- 5,000 in shipbuilding,
- 20,000 in other flexible allocations.
The good news is that restaurant industry jobs are now also possible from next year under E9 visa. Previously this stream was limited to Korean co-nationals (H-2) and international students (D-2, D-4). The changes for forestry from April and mining in July next year will be implemented.
E-9 Visa Process
The candidates willing to obtain the E-9 visa have to follow the following process:
- Passing the EPS-TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean),
- Passing the skill test (one may also apply for a competency test that will give you an extra score to apply, it is optional),
- Making Job application/ Roster making and registration (please note the candidates are selected from the employers on their own will through the EPS pool). You choose the job sector,
- Signing the Standard Labor Contract,
- Acquiring Preliminary Training,
- Entry in Korea/ Employment Entry in Korea/ Employment.
Converting E-9 Visa into E-7-4
Visa conversion for the E-9 visa holders is also possible whilst in Korea. The E-9 workers can study Korean diligently while working and potentially transition to E-7-4 Skilled Workers. The E-7-4 visa quota has been increased from around 2,000 to 35,000. The E-9 workers can transition to E-7-4 visas if:
- they have resided in Korea for over 4 years,
- have worked for a company for over 1 year and,
- have scored 200 or more on the Korean language proficiency test.
Permanent Residency
Foreign workers who hold an E-7-4 visa and have resided in Korea for over 5 years may also qualify for residence (F-2) or permanent residency (F-5).
Special instruction for the employers of Restaurants and Forestry
The Korean forestry sector, national forest corporations, and forestry seed production corporations are eligible, and for the mining sector, companies with an annual production of 150,000 tons or more of metal/non-metal minerals can employ foreign workers.
In the restaurant industry, eligibility is there for businesses with fewer than 5 employees who need at least 7 years of experience and they can hire up to 1 E-9 worker. On the other hand, those with 5 or more employees who have a minimum of 5 years of experience can hire up to 2 E-9 workers.