Local governments are now informing foreign workers about visa conversion.

The Ministry of Justice has decided to provide local governments with information on the status of foreigners (E-9, E-10, H-2 visas) coming to Korea under the Employment Permit System.

Why are you sharing information on foreigners’ status?

By sharing information on the status of foreigners under the Employment Permit System with the Ministry of Justice, local governments can now actively guide foreign workers in extending their visas or changing them to a skilled worker visa (E-7-4).

Although the Ministry of Justice has significantly expanded the quota for the 'regional recommendation system for conversion to skilled workers (E-7-4)', it has not shared data on the status of foreigners under the Employment Permit System who are actually eligible for conversion, so those who meet the conversion requirements, such as a period of stay of more than 4 years, have not been shared. It was difficult to inform and promote the system to foreigners.

In the future, they plan to use the provided status data to promote the metropolitan recommendation system for skilled labor conversion to businesses that employ foreigners under the Employment Permit System and target foreigners by metropolitan local governments and support visa conversion.

What is the ‘regional recommendation system for conversion of skilled workers’?

This system is a project in which metropolitan local governments grant additional recommendation points to foreigners under the Employment Permit System who meet certain conditions and convert them into visas that allow for long-term stay. Metropolitan local governments, including South Jeolla Province, have suggested sharing related information several times.

Unlike the E-9 visa, the E-7-4 visa allows you to extend your visa within the country without leaving your home country, and you can invite your spouse and minor children to Korea. It can be said to be the first step for a foreigner to stay in the country for a long period of time.

What are the requirements to convert to a skilled worker visa?

Conversion to skilled workers is possible when the period of stay in the country, average income for the past two years, Korean language proficiency, and age are scored by section according to the conversion requirements for expansion of skilled workers (K-point E74) set by the Ministry of Justice and a score of 200 or more out of 300 is obtained. do. If you are recommended by a metropolitan local government, you will be given 30 additional points, so it is very advantageous to receive an E-7-4 visa.

Recommendation requirements for metropolitan local governments vary slightly from region to region. In the case of Gyeonggi-do, ▲Working at a company located in Gyeonggi-do for more than 1 year as of the date of application ▲Maintaining a stay in Gyeonggi-do for more than 2 years after conversion ▲Meeting one of the following requirements (△Volunteering performance △Receiving a commendation △Recommendation by the director of the Foreigner Welfare Center △Recommendation by the mayor or county governor), etc.

Jeollanam-do: ▲Residence in the country for more than 4 years on an E-9 (non-professional employment), E-10 (seafarer employment), or H-2 (visiting employment) visa in the past 10 years ▲Recommendation from a company working for more than 1 year as of the date of application ▲Annual salary of 2 Signing an employment contract for the next two years worth more than 16 million won ▲ Obtaining level 2 or higher in the Korean Language Proficiency Test.

Foreigners and employers who need additional points for recommendation can apply for recommendation at the city/county foreign affairs department in the company's location.

South Jeolla Province plans to support conversion to skilled workers (E-7-4) and regional specialized visas (F-2-R, F-4-R) at the Jeonnam Immigration and Foreigner Comprehensive Support Center, which will open this month.

Mary Eve of Papaya Story