Requirements for the Root Company (Ppuri) Confirmation Certificate — Higher Foreign Worker Quota and Skilled Worker (E-7-4) Hiring Exception

Procedure

1. 1. Check the industry and sales requirements

   The industry classification number on the factory registration certificate must fall within the scope of root industries (if you perform root processes as a subcontractor without a factory, prove this with a subcontract confirmation instead). At least 50% of sales must be related to root technologies, so first organize the sales composition by product.

2. 2. Prepare the item description

   The item description is not a company brochure; it is a document showing how root processes are used in producing the product. State specifically the process sequence, the equipment, and the stage at which the relevant root technology is applied.

3. 3. Application and review

   Apply online to the Korea National Ppuri Industry Center. The confirmation body is required to notify the result within 15 days from the date it receives the application, and if supplementation is requested, submit additional process materials or proof of sales.

4. 4. Use after issuance and reissuance

   Once you receive the certificate, use it for a higher foreign worker employment quota, the expanded skilled worker (E-7-4) hiring quota, preferential treatment for policy funds and so on. You must undergo the reissuance review before the 3-year validity period ends so that no gap arises.

Required documents

• Application for root company confirmation
• Certificate of factory registration (may be replaced by a subcontract confirmation if root processes are performed as a subcontractor)
• Business registration certificate; certificate of all registered matters of the corporation (for corporations)
• National tax and local tax payment certificates
• Statement of root industry sales (separating sales by root technology and process)
• Item description (how root processes are used)
• List of main equipment and process photos

Fees

The official fee for issuance of the certificate itself follows the standards of the issuing body. Agency fees in the industry are around several hundred thousand won and vary with the scope of drafting the item description and whether the industry on the factory registration needs to be put in order. We will inform you after consultation, based on the process and sales materials.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Act on the Promotion and Advancement of Root Industries, Article 2
• Act on the Promotion and Advancement of Root Industries, Article 14-2
• Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Promotion and Advancement of Root Industries, Article 17-2
• Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Promotion and Advancement of Root Industries, Article 29
• Enforcement Rule of the Act on the Promotion and Advancement of Root Industries, Article 4-2
• Guidelines for Confirmation of Root Companies, Article 5
• Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Promotion of Root Industries and Their Advancement, Attached Table 1
• Ministry of Justice, Guidance Manual by Status of Stay (September 18, 2026), Skilled Worker (E-7-4)

Checked against the statutes on 2026-10-05

Statutes and public notices change, so each case needs to be checked individually. Statute titles are given in English for reference. The Korean statutes are the authoritative text.

Check these first

• If the industry on the factory registration is not within the scope of root industries, a change of factory registration may be needed first.
• Preferential benefits differ by local government, so also check the public notices of the competent local government.

Frequently asked questions