Hello! This is Onhaeng :)
To all the highly-skilled foreign professionals contributing to the development of Korea, are you struggling with complex visa issues?
The E-7-1 visa, in particular, is an important status, but its extension process is often challenging, leading to many inquiries.
Today, I'll walk you through the key aspects of the E-7-1 visa extension application in detail. If your stay permit is nearing its expiration date and you’re feeling worried, this article will be of great help.
What is the E-7-1 Visa?
The E-7-1 visa is granted to foreigners with specialized knowledge, skills, or functions who engage in activities specifically designated by the Korean Minister of Justice.
Among the E-7 visa types, the E-7-1 category for 'specialized professionals' is a crucial status given to highly-skilled individuals who contribute to enhancing national competitiveness.
This visa covers 67 occupations, including IT hardware technicians, financial and insurance specialists, web developers, designers, and researchers.
Case Study
In this particular extension case, the client’s stay was set to expire on September 27th, and they had a business trip abroad scheduled for the end of September. The process needed to be expedited.
Although an in-person appointment was already scheduled for mid-September, the client needed the extension approved before their departure. Therefore, the process was handled swiftly via a proxy application by our administrative office.
We submitted the documents on September 1st, received approval on September 11th, and sent the documents back to the client on the 12th.
Application Timing & Processing Time
1. Application Timing You can generally apply for a stay permit extension up to 4 months before your current permit expires. Immigration office appointments can be delayed, so it's best to prepare your documents and apply well in advance of the expiration date.
2. Processing Time Processing times vary by immigration office, but it typically takes about 3 to 4 weeks. The review period may be extended if additional documents are required or if any information needs to be supplemented during the review process.
Required Documents for Visa Extension
A thorough preparation of documents is essential for the stay permit extension application. Based on our experience, here are the key documents required:
Application form
Passport, Alien Registration Card, and fee
Employment contract
Proof of personal income (issued by the tax office) or certificate of income and withholding tax (issued by the company)
A copy of the business registration certificate or corporate registry
A letter of guarantee (limited to certain occupations)
Proof of residence (lease agreement, dormitory fee receipt, etc.)
Proof of the employer's tax payments
Additional documents may be requested depending on the specific immigration office's review standards and process.
Onhaeng's Pro Tip
While the advancement of AI technology makes our lives more convenient, visa document preparation still requires the delicate touch of a specialist.
If your stay is nearing its expiration and you're struggling to secure an appointment at the immigration office or find the paperwork too complex, come and see us at Onhaeng!
As your representative, we can swiftly handle the application through the designated proxy window, saving you valuable time and alleviating your anxiety.
In Conclusion
The E-7-1 visa extension is a critical procedure that ensures your stable activities within Korea. If you feel it's too difficult to handle alone due to the complex regulations and frequent changes, don't hesitate to contact Heo On Administrative Law Office. We will be with you until your successful extension.
Don't worry alone. Feel free to contact us via KakaoTalk or Naver TalkTalk :)
