Korea to ease E-7-4 visa path for long-serving migrant workers

What happened: Korea's Ministry of Justice said it will reform the E-7-4 skilled worker visa system, which lets eligible E-9 nonprofessional workers and E-10 seafarers switch to a visa permitting a longer stay. Key numbers: Quota rose from 2,000 to 35,000 in September 2023. Why it matters: The ministry cited complicated procedures and Korean-language requirements as barriers, and employers stressed the need to retain workers and ensure stable staffing. Acting Justice Minister Lee Jin-soo said the reforms aim to help long-serving workers settle, not to increase foreign worker inflow.

Korea's Ministry of Justice said it will reform the E-7-4 skilled worker visa system, which lets eligible E-9 nonprofessional workers and E-10 seafarers switch to a visa permitting a longer stay.

The ministry cited complicated procedures and Korean-language requirements as barriers, and employers stressed the need to retain workers and ensure stable staffing. Acting Justice Minister Lee Jin-soo said the reforms aim to help long-serving workers settle, not to increase foreign worker inflow.