Get 20 Bonus Points for E-7-4 with a 기능사 (Craftsman) Certificate

Who is this for

• People who want to change to E-7-4 (skilled worker visa). If you are collecting points toward 200 and you are 20 points short, this is the fastest way.
• If you choose the same subject as your work in the factory now, it is much easier to prepare for the practical exam.
• A certificate stays on your record. You can still use it after you change companies or go back to your home country.

The bonus for this item is 20 points. Check that year's selection plan notice to see if you get more points for two or more certificates. (Official confirmation needed)

Subjects many foreign workers take

• 용접기능사 (Welding Craftsman) – Many manufacturing workplaces need welders.
• 지게차운전기능사 (Forklift Operator Craftsman) – Used a lot in factories and warehouses.
• 굴착기운전기능사 (Excavator Operator Craftsman) – For construction sites.
• 전기기능사 (Electrician Craftsman) – The written exam covers many topics, but the certificate is useful in many jobs.
• 건축도장기능사 (Building Painting Craftsman) – Good for people who do painting work.

Many certificates have similar names. First, search for the exact subject name in 국가자격 종목별 상세정보 (detailed information by subject) on 큐넷. Check the exam topics and fees.

Exam structure

Part	Format	Pass mark	Fee
Written	60 multiple-choice questions, 4 choices each	60 or more out of 100	14,500원
Practical	Hands-on work (some subjects: written answers)	60 or more out of 100	Different for each subject

• Practical exam fees are very different from subject to subject. Find your subject in 실기시험 수수료 종목 검색 (practical exam fee search by subject) on 큐넷.
• Depending on the subject, there are 정기시험 (regular exams, on fixed dates) and 상시시험 (frequent exams, held often). Subjects with 상시시험 have many more exam dates. Check the exam schedule on 큐넷.

Steps

1. Sign up on 큐넷 (q-net.or.kr). It is easier if you have your foreigner registration number and a mobile phone in your own name.
2. Choose your subject. It is best to choose the same subject as your work now.
3. Check the exam schedule. Applications for national technical qualifications open at 10:00 AM on the first day of the application period.
4. Apply for the written exam and take it. You pay the fee online.
5. After you pass the written exam, apply for the practical exam within 2 years. Practical exam places fill up fast, so apply on the first day.
6. After you pass the practical exam, apply for your certificate on 큐넷. There is a separate fee for the certificate.
7. When you apply for E-7-4, submit the certificate as proof for your points.

What to bring

• 외국인등록증 (Residence Card / Alien Registration Card) – you must have it to prove who you are at the exam site
• A 큐넷 account and a photo that meets the size rules
• A way to pay the fees
• For some practical exams, set clothes and tools (check the notes for test takers for your subject)

A certificate alone does not let you drive a forklift or excavator

지게차운전기능사 and 굴착기운전기능사 are national technical qualifications. To operate the machine, you also need a separate license.

1. Get the national technical qualification through 큐넷.
2. Apply for a 건설기계조종사면허 (construction machine operator license) at your 시·군·구청 (city, county, or district office). You need the result of an aptitude test (health check) and a photo.
3. You can operate the machine after you receive the license.

• For small construction machines (소형건설기계), such as forklifts and excavators under 3 tons, you can also get a license by finishing a set number of hours of training at a school chosen by the 시·도 (city or province). For forklifts under 3 tons, you may also need a driver's license. Check with your 시·군·구청.
• If you operate a machine without a license, you can be punished. Even if your company tells you to do it, you should get the license first.
• You can check the steps, fees, and documents on 정부24 (Government24 website) under "건설기계조종사면허증 발급" (issuing a construction machine operator license).

Studying and training costs

• For the written exam, the most common way is to solve past exam questions again and again. 큐넷 offers a free CBT (computer-based test) practice service.
• The written exam questions are in Korean. For some subjects, question papers in foreign languages were given in the past, but this is different by subject and by year. Check if your subject has this in 큐넷 notices or by calling the customer center at 1644-8000. (Official confirmation needed)
• For the practical exam, you need to practice with the equipment, so many people go to a private training school (학원). The cost is different for each subject and region.
• 한국산업인력공단 (HRD Korea) EPS training for current workers: For people now working on E-9. Training in jobs such as construction machine operation, welding, electrical work, and machining (48 hours, including weekend training). Check how to apply and the cost at eps.hrdkorea.or.kr or 1577-0071.
• Return-home support training: For eligible people, such as those who worked 3 years or more. There are courses with 60 hours of Korean and 60 hours of technical training.
• 국민내일배움카드 (National Tomorrow Learning Card, a training cost support card): As a rule, foreigners cannot get it. Only some foreigners who have employment insurance (고용보험) are exceptions. To check if E-9 workers can get it, ask 고용센터 (Job Center) or call 1350. (Official confirmation needed)

Documents for your E-7-4 application

• A copy of your certificate or a 국가기술자격 취득사항 확인서 (confirmation of national technical qualification) (get it from 정부24)
• Proof for your other points, such as income, Korean language, and years of work
• A recommendation letter from your company and an employment contract for 2 years or more

The list of documents changes a little every year. Before you apply, check that year's selection plan in the notices on 하이코리아 (HiKorea, the immigration website).

Be careful

• 20 points from a certificate is not enough to reach 200 points. Income and Korean language are the main points.
• Practical exam places fill up fast. Apply right when applications open.
• If you do not bring your 외국인등록증 to the exam site, you cannot take the exam.
• If someone takes the exam for you, or you make fake documents, your certificate will be canceled. This will also cause serious problems for your visa.
• An offer like "Pay money and we will make a certificate for you" is a scam. You can only get a national technical qualification by applying on 큐넷 and passing the exams.

Frequently asked questions

Q. My Korean is not good. Can I still get a certificate? A. It is not easy, because the written exam is in Korean. But past questions often come again, so many people pass by learning the questions and answers. Ask 큐넷 if question papers in foreign languages are available.

Q. If I get two 기능사 certificates, do I get 40 points? A. The points table says 20 points for the certificate item. Check that year's selection plan notice to see if more than one certificate counts.

Q. Does a certificate from my home country count? A. The bonus item is for Korean certificates and Korean degrees. To check if a foreign qualification counts, call 1345 or ask your local 출입국·외국인관서 (Immigration Office).

Q. If I pass the written exam but fail the practical exam, do I have to start again? A. No. For 2 years from the day you pass the written exam, you do not need to take it again. In that time, you only need to take the practical exam again.

Q. Can I prepare while I am working? A. Yes. You can choose a subject with 상시시험 (frequent exams) and use training courses held on weekends.

Where to get help

• 큐넷 q-net.or.kr / Customer center 1644-8000
• 한국산업인력공단 (HRD Korea) Foreign Worker Counseling Center 1577-0071 (help in your language)
• 고용노동부 (Ministry of Employment and Labor) customer counseling 1350
• Immigration Contact Center (외국인종합안내센터) 1345 (E-7-4 points and visas)
• 하이코리아 hikorea.go.kr (selection plan notices)