Hello. We are Vijob, here to support foreigners with employment and settlement in Korea! 👋
If you want to work in Gyeonggi-do (경기도) and change your residency status to an E-7 visa, or if you are a foreigner hoping to get a job at a company located in Gyeonggi-do from overseas, please take note.
Gyeonggi-do is implementing the Gyeonggi-do Metropolitan Visa Pilot Project (경기도 광역형 비자 시범사업) to support the employment of outstanding foreign talent and their stable settlement in the region.
If you get a job at a company in Gyeonggi-do in the relevant occupation and meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for a visa recommendation letter issued in the name of the Gyeonggi-do Governor.
💡 What is the Gyeonggi-do Metropolitan Visa (경기도 광역형 비자)?
It is a system in which Gyeonggi-do recommends foreign talent needed in the region to the Ministry of Justice.
Foreigners who receive a recommendation letter can use it to change their residency status to an E-7 visa in Korea, or apply for an E-7 visa from overseas.
However, even if a Gyeonggi-do recommendation letter is issued, a visa is not automatically granted. After receiving the recommendation letter, you must still undergo a separate review by the immigration office, and the final authority to issue the visa lies with the Ministry of Justice.
🎯 Eligible occupations
This project covers a total of 12 occupations.
1. Specialized Personnel E-7-1 (11 occupations)
A total of 11 occupations are included, such as computers, software, data, networks, information security, electronic engineering, and robotics.
Applicants must meet one of the following conditions.
Hold a master’s degree or higher in a related field
Hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field and have at least 1 year of work experience
Have at least 5 years of work experience in a related field
Graduates or expected graduates of a domestic junior college in a related field may be permitted if the work experience requirement is waived and the necessity of employment is recognized
Foreign university bachelor’s degree holders who have completed TOPIK 4 or higher, or level 4 or higher of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (사회통합프로그램), may be employed if they have at least 1 year of work experience in a related field
2. Caregiver E-7-2
To apply as a caregiver, you must meet the following conditions.
Hold an associate degree or higher from a domestic university
Hold a caregiver certificate
TOPIK level 3 or higher, or level 3 or higher of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (사회통합프로그램), or a pre-assessment score of 61 or higher
🏢 You need a company to work for first
The Gyeonggi-do Metropolitan Visa is not a system for individuals to apply for in advance without having a company to work for.
You must sign an employment contract with a company in Gyeonggi-do, and your actual duties must match one of the eligible occupations. In addition, the wages and working conditions in the employment contract must also meet the E-7 visa standards.
📅 Project period and application method
Project period: September 15, 2025 ~ December 31, 2026
How to apply: Online application through the Gyeonggi Minwon 24 website
Gyeonggi Minwon 24: https://gg24.gg.go.kr
Applications may close early during the application period once all allocated slots are filled.
In-person, mail, and fax submissions are not accepted, and each foreign worker must apply separately.
⚠️ Please make sure to check before applying
The Gyeonggi-do recommendation letter is a recommendation letter for E-7 visa screening and is not a document that guarantees visa issuance.
After receiving the recommendation letter, you must separately apply to the immigration office for visa issuance or a change of residency status.
Also, the recommendation letter is valid for 3 months from the date of issuance, so you must proceed with the visa application process within that period.
The review results may vary depending on your major, work experience, Korean language ability, occupation, and company conditions, so please carefully check the eligibility requirements before applying.
📞 Contact
Gyeonggi-do Metropolitan Visa project inquiry: 031-8030-4672
Visa and residency status change inquiries: Immigration Contact Center (외국인종합안내센터) 1345
If you are preparing for new employment opportunities in Gyeonggi-do, please check in advance whether you are eligible to apply.
For better employment and settlement in Korea for foreigners, Vijob will be with you. 💙
