South Korea will ease the pathway for long-serving migrant workers on E-9 and E-10 visas to switch to the skilled-worker E-7-4 visa. The quota for E-7-4 conversions rose from 2,000 in September 2023 to 35,000, while the number of E-7-4 holders reached 52,648 as of September this year. The Justice Ministry will pilot an online service showing eligibility, points and required documents, while reducing extension paperwork from at least 12 items to seven or fewer.
Workers who remain with the same employer will receive additional points based on tenure, with clearer routes from E-7-4 to F-2 residence and F-5 permanent residency.