When Your 4 Years 10 Months End: A Decision Table for 4 Options

Who this is for

• People who got the re-employment extension and are getting close to 4 years 10 months
• People who did not get the re-employment extension and finish after 3 years (① is not possible; ②③④ are possible)
• People who have not yet decided whether to stay, move, or go home

5 decision questions

Answer them in order.

Question 1. Has your current employer clearly said "I will hire you again when you come back" or "I will keep you"?

• Yes → Both ① sincere worker and ② E-7-4 are open to you. Go to Question 2.
• No → ① is difficult. ②③ are also possible with a recommendation from another company, but there is a rule that you must work at your current workplace for 1 year or more, so you need time. Go to Question 3.

Question 2. Do you want to bring your family, or do you plan to live in Korea for a long time?

• Yes → Look at ② E-7-4 or ③ E-7-4R first. These paths open the way to bringing your family and applying for permanent residence.
• No, I plan to earn money for a few more years and then go home → ① sincere worker is the simplest. You do not need to take the test or training, and you come back after one month.

Question 3. Do you have a Korean language score? (TOPIK or the Korea Immigration and Integration Program, 사회통합프로그램)

• I have one, or I can get one within 2026 → ②③ are possible. E-7-4 needs 200 out of 300 points, and you need at least 50 points each in Korean language and income. The Korean language requirement is temporarily delayed until December 31, 2026.
• I do not have one → ②③ are difficult for now. Go with ① (no test needed) or ④ (take the EPS-TOPIK again).

Question 4. Is there a company that will give you a contract of at least 2 years with a yearly salary of 2,600만 원 or more?

• Yes → You meet the income requirement for ②③. Talk with your employer about a recommendation letter.
• No → Put ②③ on hold. Go with ① or ④.

Question 5. Can you wait 6 months or more after leaving Korea, and are you 39 years old or younger?

• Yes → ④ taking the EPS test again is your last safety net. But workers are selected by score, within a set number for each country, so it is not certain.
• No → You must decide on one of ①②③ before your end date.

Decision table

Option	When to start preparing	Who applies	Where	If it fails
① Sincere worker re-entry	Agree with your employer 6 months before your end date; finish the application before you leave	Employer (re-entry employment permit)	고용센터 (Employment Center)	Wait 6 months after leaving and go to ④, or go home
② E-7-4	You can apply from the day you reach 4 years on E-9; prepare your points 1 year before	You (company recommendation letter needed)	하이코리아 (HiKorea website) · immigration office	If you are still in Korea, you can switch to ① (employer agreement needed)
③ E-7-4R · F-2-R	Check when the local government accepts recommendation requests (different in each area); from 2 years of work experience	You (local government recommendation)	City/county/district office (시·군·구) → 하이코리아	Try ② again, or ①
④ Take the EPS test again	After you go home, check the test notice	You	EPS center in your home country	Take the test again in the next round (be careful of the age limit)

• More on ①: Sincere worker re-entry program
• More on ②: E-7-4 skilled worker change: requirements and point system
• More on ③: Regional visas (F-2-R · E-7-4R)
• ④ and preparing to leave: Leaving and coming back after your stay period ends

Steps — common schedule

1. 12 months before your end date: Check the expiry date on your 외국인등록증 (Alien Registration Card) and the end date of your employment period. These two dates can be different.
2. 10 months before your end date (4 years on E-9): Answer the 5 questions and choose your 1st and 2nd choice. You can apply for E-7-4 from this time.
3. 6 months before your end date: Talk with your employer formally. For ①, the employer applies. For ②③, you need a recommendation letter.
4. 3 months before your end date: If your 1st choice is difficult, change to your 2nd choice. For ②③, you must submit your application before your end date.
5. 1 month before your end date: If you do not have a confirmed path, start preparing to leave (report your planned departure, claim your insurance money).

What to prepare

• 외국인등록증, passport, 근로계약서 (employment contract) (current and next)
• Korean language score report (TOPIK, or proof that you completed the Korea Immigration and Integration Program)
• Proof of income (원천징수영수증 (tax withholding receipt), 급여명세서 (pay slip)) — for calculating points for ②③
• Company recommendation letter (②), local government recommendation letter (③), employer's application for a re-entry employment permit (①)
• Fees: change of visa status 10만 원 (②③); for ①④, there is a separate visa fee

Be careful

• You can prepare ① and ② at the same time. While you wait for the E-7-4 result, ask your employer to apply for ① too. Then you still have a path even if ② fails. If ② is approved, you do not use ①.
• For E-7-4, you must "be staying in Korea for 4 years or more." You cannot apply after you leave Korea.
• E-7-4R has an area limit. After approval, you must live and work in the set area for 3 years.
• ④ is not guaranteed. It can take several years, depending on the number of people selected and your score. If you are over 39, you cannot take the test.
• Do not pay money to brokers. Points, recommendations, and selection cannot be bought with money. Anyone who says "I can guarantee it" is a scammer.
• Before your end date, settle your wages, 퇴직금 (severance pay), and departure guarantee insurance (출국만기보험).

Frequently asked questions

Q. I did not get the re-employment extension and I finish after 3 years. What paths are left? A. ① is for people who completed the re-employment period too, so it is difficult. For ②, you do not meet the rule of staying 4 years or more. ③ E-7-4R is possible if you have 2 years or more of work experience, so look for a company in an area with a shrinking population and a local government recommendation. If not, there is ④.

Q. I changed companies twice. Can I use ①? A. It may be possible if you moved because of your employer's fault and you meet the condition of working continuously in the same industry. Ask the 고용센터 to check your work history. If not, look at ②③.

Q. I want to go home and then come back to a different company. A. ① is a program for going back to the company of the employer who applied. To go to a different company, use ④: go through the EPS process again 6 months after you leave.

Where to get help

Organization	Phone	What they help with
Immigration Contact Center (외국인종합안내센터)	1345	Advice on changing to E-7-4 · E-7-4R, 20 languages
고용노동부 (Ministry of Employment and Labor) Customer Center	1350	Re-entry employment permit, re-employment
Foreign Workers Support Center (외국인력상담센터)	1577-0071	Interpreting support for talks with your employer
Foreigner affairs office at the city/county/district office (시·군·구청)	Different in each area	Recommendation for regional visas
하이코리아 / EPS	hikorea.go.kr / eps.go.kr	Online applications, information on the Employment Permit System

• More contacts: Help contacts list