Can I change from E-7 (Special Designated Activities) to another visa status?

Yes, you can. But the requirements are completely different depending on which status you change to. Approval is not guaranteed.

E-7 holders apply for a change of status of sojourn permit on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or at the immigration office with jurisdiction over your area. The change fee is 100,000 KRW. If you change to permanent residence (F-5), the fee is 200,000 KRW.

Commonly changed statuses (usually in these cases)

• F-2 (Residence), F-5 (Permanent Residence): You can apply if you meet the points system or long-term stay requirements. The income and points criteria change every year.
• F-6 (Marriage Immigrant): Apply if you married a Korean citizen and meet the marriage immigrant requirements.
• D-8, D-9, etc.: These are changes to business startup, investment, or trade activities.
• D-2 (Study Abroad): This is for studying after receiving admission approval.

Requirements checklist (common)

• You must be staying legally on E-7 now. You must apply before it expires.
• You must meet all the requirements of the status you want to change to. Requirements differ by status.
• You must have no unpaid taxes or health insurance premiums.
• You need the basic documents (application form, passport, registration card, fee) and the supporting documents for the new status.

⚠️ Points to note

• Before you receive the change permit, you may only do your current E-7 activity (the permitted occupation and workplace).
• Going from E-7 to E-9 (Non-professional Employment) is not a usual path.
• If the change is denied, check right away whether you have stay period left and whether you must leave Korea.
• The result of a status change depends greatly on your personal situation (career, income, family relations). If your case is complicated, get a consultation with the Kevi administrative agent (the app's visa service).

Tell me which status you want to change to, and I will explain the requirements and documents for that status in detail. Please check the exact details once more on HiKorea or at the Foreigner Comprehensive Information Center (외국인종합안내센터) at 1345.