South Korea immigration changes: week of 19 October 2026

South Korea plans to open a door for long-staying migrant workers: easier path to the E-7-4 skilled visa, Korea Herald reports

See if it affects you.

The South Korean government has announced that it plans to ease the rules for the E-7-4 visa, a permit that lets factory, farm and other manual workers already in the country move onto a longer-term skilled worker status. This was reported by The Korea Herald in late October 2026, and it would mainly affect workers who came on short-term labour permits and have stayed for several years. Nothing has changed yet: this is an announced intention, not a rule anyone can apply under, so the current E-7-4 conditions still stand until the government publishes the new ones.

This is an announcement, not a law. Nothing has changed yet, announced plans are often changed or dropped, and there is nothing to apply under until it is in force.

Reported in the news. The Korean government hasn’t published it yet, so check the linked report before you rely on it.

Reported by koreaherald.com: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10911868