Visa Type | Non-Skilled Work Visa (Manual Labor) | Skilled Professional Visa (Overseas Invitation) | Skilled Visa (For in-country status change) |
Eligible Applicants | EPS Member Country Workers (Exam Passers, Employed in Manufacturing, Root Industries, etc.) | Overseas University Graduates with Relevant Major/Experience | International students in Korea (D-2) and post-graduation job seekers (D-10). For those seeking employment after study. |
Education / Experience Requirements | No Education/Experience Required (EPS-TOPIK Only) | Relevant Major + 3+ Years Experience, Related Degree | Related major (Bachelor’s or above), some experience required |
Salary Level | Minimum Wage Level (2.1M KRW+) | 2.4M KRW+ per Month (Higher by Occupation) | At least 2.4M KRW/month (Experience & major may affect salary) |
Hiring Process | Assigned Through Employment Center (Approx. 4 Months) | Employer Invitation → MOJ (Immigration) Review | Apply for status change after employer hiring |
Processing Time | Approx. 4–6 Months | Varies by Immigration Review (3–30 Weeks) | Approx. 3–5 weeks (Immediate interview & hiring) |
Employment Permit / Quota System | Quota by Industry & Country | Quota by Occupation (Verify Local Employment Ratio) | Job Quota (Local Employment Ratio) |
Length of Stay | 3 Years + 1 Year 10 Months (Max. 4 Years 10 Months) | 1+2 years, PR after 5 years | Identical |
Family Accompaniment (F-3) | Not Possible | Allowed (Adult family members may work in basic jobs) | Allowed (Adult family members may work in basic jobs) |
PR Eligibility (F-2 / F-5) | Limited (Requires E7-4 Conversion) | PR application eligible after 5 years | Identical |
Employment Cost (Admin Fees, etc.) | Low Cost (≈380,000 KRW / Partial subsidy available) | Medium (Visa fee + agency fee: approx. KRW 500,000 + 800,000) | KRW 150,000 monthly × 12 months (Forfeited upon resignation) |
Language & Adaptability | Low (Training Required After Arrival) | Standard (Direct overseas hiring; Korean language training required) | High (Graduated from a 2-, 3-, or 4-year university in Korea) |
Job Change Restriction | Limited (Up to 3 Job Changes Allowed) | Ministry of Justice approval required when changing employer | Effectively transferable (job change allowed) |
Benefits for Employers | Labor Cost Savings / Easy Employment Center Application / Easy to Fill Manual Labor Positions | Skilled workers · Long-term · Family allowed | Immediate interview & hiring / Strong Korean proficiency / Simple process |
Disadvantages for Employers | Random Assignment / Frequent Job Changes / Low Skill Level / Communication Difficulty | TO limits / Complex eligibility review / Strict document screening / Initial administrative cost | TO limit / Review not allowed if major mismatch |
Benefits for Workers | Clear Procedures / Stable Employment for a Fixed Period / Government Support from Sending Countries | Professional qualification recognized / Family permitted / PR pathway available | Use degree/major · Easy settlement in Korea · Fast employment |
Disadvantages for Workers | Limited Jobs / Tough Conditions / Low Pay / Low Skills / Mandatory 4y10m Exit | Strict visa screening / Major relevance required / High initial cost | Rejected if job mismatch / Gap between expectation and reality |
