E-7 Visa: Hiring Foreign Professionals in Advertising and Public Relations

As South Korean companies venture into global markets, one of their biggest challenges is securing skilled professionals who understand local markets. This is where the E-7 visa comes into play. The E-7 visa allows foreign professionals to work legally in more than 90 designated fields by the Ministry of Justice in South Korea. Among these, the Advertising and Public Relations Specialist (Job Code 2733) is frequently utilized for hiring foreign talent with expertise in global marketing and cultural communication skills.

1. Overview and Classification of the E-7 Visa

The E-7 visa falls under the category of “Specific Activities” as classified by the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Control Act. According to the Ministry of Justice’s Visa and Residency Information Guide, the E-7 category comprises approximately 90 specific job types, which can be categorized into four main sub-types:

• E-7-1 (Professional Workers): 67 job types including Managers, Researchers, Software Developers, Overseas Sales Representatives, and Advertising/Public Relations Specialists.
• E-7-2 (Semi-Professional Workers): 10 job types, primarily service roles like Duty-Free Shop Clerks, Hotel Receptionists, and Caregivers.
• E-7-3 (General Skilled Workers): 10 job types including Welders, Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, and Electricians.
• E-7-4 (Skilled Workers): 3 job types selected through a point system.

Although the requirements for the E-7 visa are more stringent for specialized positions, the benefits include the assurance of long-term residency and continuity in career history.

2. Eligibility Requirements for E-7 Visa Application

As of September 2025, applicants for the E-7 visa must meet the following criteria, which are regularly updated (please verify for the most current requirements):

1. Educational Requirement: A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field or a Master’s degree.
2. Experience Requirement: A minimum of one year of related experience; however, if educational qualifications are lacking, more than five years of professional experience may be a substitute.
3. Salary Requirement: For professionals (E-7-1), the salary must be at least 80% of the previous year’s Gross National Income (GNI) (for small businesses, this is 70%).
4. Employment Protection Requirement: At least five local employees must have been employed for over three months before a foreign worker can be hired.

Additionally, foreign work experience must be verified through translation and notarization, and companies must provide proof of their business status, such as tax clearance and business registration.

3. Guidelines for Preparing the Employment Justification and Foreign Utilization Plan

One of the crucial documents during the E-7 visa review process is the Employment Justification Statement (Foreign Utilization Plan). Immigration and Foreign Affairs officials assess the necessity of hiring a foreign national and the inability to replace them with a local worker.

When drafting this document, be sure to include:

• The necessity of hiring a foreign national (e.g., for market entry, language, and cultural expertise)
• Relevance of the foreign national’s education and experience to the job role
• Specific reasons why a local replacement is not feasible and the expected benefits of the hire

For instance, you might write, “We need a foreign marketing professional specializing in overseas SNS platforms (like Xiaohongshu and TikTok) for market analysis and content planning, as local candidates lack the necessary local language skills and cultural insights to perform this role effectively.” Clearly articulating these points is essential; vague statements could lead to visa denial.

4. Real-World Example in the Advertising and Public Relations Field

Recently, a small business aimed to expand its online advertising and SNS marketing efforts in India and Southeast Asia. They sought to hire a marketing expert from that region who was fluent in the local languages and cultures. The candidate possessed a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from an Indian university and three years of experience in brand marketing. Consequently, the company applied for an E-7-1 Advertising and Public Relations Specialist visa.

The Employment Justification statement emphasized:

• The need for a marketing professional who understands local cultural and consumer patterns to aid overseas expansion.
• The limitations of local employees in using local dialects and marketing tools.
• The candidate’s role in establishing SNS marketing channels and localizing content post-hire.

After submitting their documents, the immigration office requested additional evidence regarding the foreign applicant’s qualifications and job suitability. However, after submitting the additional materials, they received E-7-1 visa approval within about four weeks. (It’s important to note that timelines can vary significantly for applicants adjusting status within Korea compared to those applying for new visas from abroad.) This case highlights the steady demand for foreign professionals in the advertising and public relations sector.

5. Common Reasons for Visa Denial and Important Considerations

Frequent reasons for denial during the E-7 visa assessment process include:

• Mismatch between foreign education/experience and the job classification (e.g., unrelated major)
• High potential for local replacement
• Failure to meet salary requirements (GNI standards)
• Insufficient logical support in the Employment Justification statement
• Inadequate local employee workforce (not meeting the five employees standard)

Recent trends indicate that thorough documentation review has become more stringent; simply submitting a foreign resume may not be enough. Including supporting materials such as “proof of experience + recommendation letters + portfolios” significantly increases approval chances. Additionally, it’s crucial to ensure consistency across your submitted documents. Discrepancies in work history, job titles, or company names can lead to requests for additional information or outright denials.

6. Conclusion – Expert Preparation Determines Approval Rates

The E-7 visa is not just a pathway for hiring foreigners; it assesses the individual’s expertise, the company’s legitimacy in hiring, and the potential impact on the domestic job market. Thus, positions like Advertising and Public Relations Specialist, Content Planner, and International Marketing Manager—which require cultural expertise—demand strategic documentation tailored to the company’s circumstances.

Particularly, even if the applicant’s educational and experience requirements are slightly lacking, those with degrees from esteemed foreign universities or experience with Fortune 500 companies may find that the Ministry of Justice allows for some leniency. Therefore, we highly recommend seeking pre-approval feedback from a professional administrative consultant or immigration expert. Adequate preparation and precise documentation can make all the difference in receiving approval.

This information is based on data as of September 2025 and is intended to offer general guidance, which may vary for individual cases. For personalized consultation, please visit our one-on-one consultation page.

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