2026 K-point E74 Skilled Worker Visa: Complete HiKorea Manual & 23 Official FAQs

2026 K-point E74 Skilled Worker Visa
Complete Operational Plan & HiKorea Manual

The 2026 selection quota for the K-point E74 visa has been confirmed at 33,000 workers! Are you struggling with the complex application process?
This guide provides the 8-step HiKorea application manual and all 23 official FAQs in their full English translation. Prepare your visa transition perfectly with this comprehensive resource.

1. 2026 Selection Quota & Categories

Selection Type	Detailed Track	Quota (Persons)
Corporate Track	Corporate Recommendation Personal Track (1yr+ work)	12,000
Recommendations	Central Ministry (MoEL, MoTIE, etc.)	6,300
	Local Government (17 Metropolitan areas)	8,500
Flexible Quota	Adjusted based on future demand	6,200
Total		33,000

2. HiKorea E-Application Manual (Steps 1~8)

📅 5-Day Rotation System (Based on birth year digit)
Access is restricted based on the last digit of the applicant's birth year:
- Mon: 1, 6 | Tue: 2, 7 | Wed: 3, 8 | Thu: 4, 9 | Fri: 5, 0

Step 1: Login

Visit the official HiKorea website at www.hikorea.go.kr and click the 'Login' button at the top right corner of the home screen.

Step 2: Civil Service Application

On the home screen, locate the 'Civil Service Application' (민원신청) section and click 'Apply' (신청하기).

Step 3: Select Civil Service

From the list, check 'Permission to Change Status of Residence for Registered Foreigners'. Scroll to the bottom and check the 'Consent to joint use of administrative information' box, then click 'Next'.

Step 4: Change of Occupation Report

Reporting changes in occupation and income is mandatory for residence status changes. Proceed directly to the next step without selecting additional items.

Step 5: Authentication

Enter the Alien Registration Number and the Date of Issue (8 digits), then click 'Confirm'.

Step 6: Fill Out Application & Attach Files

Complete all required fields (*). Ensure each attachment has a unique filename. Files must be JPG, BMP, PNG, PDF, etc., under 2MB (ID photos: JPG under 95KB).

Step 7: Enter Occupation Details

Select the applicant's occupation and current job title. Choose the correct annual income bracket or 'No income' from the dropdown menu.

Step 8: Result & Confirmation

Review all details and click 'Confirm' to complete the electronic civil service application. Congratulations on your submission!

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3. Official K-point E74 FAQ (All 23 Questions)

[Basic Eligibility & Stay]

Q1. Standard for "residing for 4+ years within the last 10 years"?
A. This is a cumulative stay on E-9, E-10, or H-2 visas. For example, if you stayed for 2 years (2017-19) and have worked for 2 current years since re-entering in 2022, you meet the requirement.

Q2. Is there a specific format for the employment contract?
A. Refer to the standard contract in Attachment 9. It must specify a 2-year employment term and an annual salary of 26M KRW or more (25M for Agriculture/Fishing).

Q2-1. Scope of "Annual Salary of 26 million KRW"?
A. It refers to the total annual payment, including basic pay and fixed allowances. It is not limited only to "normal wages" (Tong-sang-im-geum).

Q2-2. How to write the contract period?
A. The contract must be for at least 2 years in the future, starting from the application date.

[Average Income]

Q3. Meaning of "average income of the last 2 years"?
A. Sum of the last 2 years of income divided by 2. If gaps exist due to re-entry, the two highest-earning years within the last five years can be chosen.

Q3-1. Is only the NTS Income Certificate accepted?
A. Yes, in principle. Until May (before new records release), 2023-2024 records are used; after May, 2024-2025 is mandatory.

[Korean Language Proficiency]

Q4. KIIP pre-test score 41+ but assigned to Level 0?
A. Score is not recognized. Minimum 50 points requires a placement of Level 3 or higher in the KIIP pre-test.

Q4-1. Validity of KIIP pre-test score?
A. Valid for 2 years from the result announcement date. Expired scores cannot be used for the application.

Q4-2. Can I retake the test if my score is low?
A. Yes. Utilizing Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centers in Seoul, Gwangmyeong, or Daejeon allows for more flexible scheduling.

[Recommendations & Worker Count]

Q5. Proving workers in Agriculture/Fishing without insurance lists?
A. In principle, the '4 Major Insurance Workplace Subscriber List' must be submitted for recommendation.

Q5-1. Standard for "working for 1 year or more" for recommendation?
A. Even with gaps, previous work history at the same company can be combined to meet the 1-year criteria.

Q5-2. Definition of "Regular Workers" for company quotas?
A. Korean nationals and eligible foreigners registered on workplace employment insurance for at least 3 months.

[Education & Bonus Points]

Q6. Are degrees from Cyber or Open Universities accepted?
A. Yes, they are recognized official degrees under Article 2 of the Higher Education Act.

Q6-1. Degrees from Academic Credit Bank or self-education?
A. Yes, these are also fully recognized domestic degrees under relevant laws.

Q7. Can work gaps be combined for the 3-year longevity bonus?
A. Yes. If at the same company, past work periods can be combined. If the total is 3+ years, you qualify for the bonus points.

[Rural Areas & Population Decline]

Q8. Points for previous rural workplace?
A. Yes, past and current eligible rural/decline area experience can be combined to meet the 3-year requirement.

Q8-1. Can population decline and Eup/Myeon bonuses be combined?
A. No. Even if you meet both, the 20-point bonus is only granted once.

Q8-2. Double counting for same location?
A. No. Double counting is not allowed; only the actual worked time is calculated.

[Stay Rules & Others]

Q9. What if my passport validity is short?
A. If validity is under 6 months, submit Attachment 10 (Confirmation Letter) to receive a one-time stay extension based on your contract.

Q9-1. Are ministry recommendations issued before the plan implementation valid?
A. No. Past recommendations are invalid; you must request a re-issuance from the relevant ministry.

Q9-2. Precautions for the Letter of Guarantee?
A. Ensure the guarantee period is at least 2 years. If shorter, your stay period will be shortened accordingly.

[System Info]

Q10. What are the operating hours for HiKorea?
A. Weekdays from 07:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Q10-1. Upload file formats and sizes?
A. JPG, BMP, PNG, TIF, or PDF under 2MB. ID photos must be JPG under 95KB.

Ready to Secure Your Visa?

E-7-4 success depends on accurate point calculation.
Have you double-checked your average income, Korean score, and bonus points before applying?

📊 Check Your Points with K-Point E74 Calculator

*Remember to rename files uniquely to avoid upload errors. Good luck with your application!