E-7-1 visa employment recommendation system operation poster. /Courtesy of KOSME

The Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) announced on the 23rd that it operates the 'Foreign Expert Employment Recommendation System (E-7-1 Visa)' on a permanent basis in conjunction with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

The Foreign Expert Employment Recommendation System was established to address the labor shortages in small and medium-sized enterprises and to support the domestic employment of foreign students. It targets foreign students who have graduated or are expected to graduate with at least an associate degree domestically. Employment recommendation applications can be submitted year-round via email.

When a foreign student enters into a labor contract with a domestic small or medium-sized enterprise and applies for an employment recommendation with KOSME, an external review by industry experts will be conducted to assess qualification requirements and employment necessity. Subsequently, within an average of two weeks, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups will determine whether to grant the employment recommendation.

Foreign students who receive employment recommendations can have their employment necessity institutionally verified during the visa review process, increasing the likelihood of being issued an E-7-1 visa, while small and medium-sized enterprises can hire talented individuals quickly and reliably.

The occupations eligible for employment recommendations include a total of 24 fields such as metallurgical and materials engineering technicians, computer hardware technicians, and technical sales representatives. A specialized automotive parts company in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, and a professional coating company in Wonju, Gangwon Province, have hired foreign students through this system.

KOSME Director Jo Han-kyu noted, 'We will continue to expand support to help foreign students become growth partners for small and medium-sized enterprises.'