I have a technical degree (not a bachelor's) and want to work in Korea?

Having a technical degree rather than a four-year bachelor's degree does limit some options, but working in Korea is not impossible. The main skilled worker visa, E-7, typically requires a bachelor's degree, but many subcategories allow significant professional experience, usually around 5 years or more in a relevant field, to substitute for the degree requirement. The exact rules vary by E-7 subcategory, so it is worth checking the Hi Korea portal at hikorea.go.kr to find which categories match your technical background.

The E-9 visa covers manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and certain service industries and does not require a degree, though it is quota-based and assigned through a government matching system rather than direct job applications. For IT or engineering fields, some companies are open to hiring based on portfolio and demonstrated skills even without a traditional degree, particularly at startups.

Your best approach is to clearly document your technical qualifications and work history, target companies willing to sponsor visas, and have an immigration lawyer or consultant review your specific situation before applying. The Korea Immigration Service offers free consultations at some offices as well.