South Korea visa

South Korea Visa Exemption (B-1) is set for citizens of some countries who do not need a visa to enter South Korea.  All foreign citizens need a valid visa to enter South Korea. However, for some reason, such as international conventions and national interests, citizens of some countries can apply for a visa waiver. Most citizens of these countries can stay in South Korea without a visa for up to 30 days. Canadian nationals can stay for up to 6 months, and citizens of the United States, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Slovenia are allowed to stay for around three months.

Immigration office in Seoul

Korea Immigration Service is the official organization conducting immigration issues in the country that works under the Ministry of Justice.

The news and official announcement are published through this website, and you can follow them.

The online services are also conducted through this website, and you need to visit it.

If the visa you want to apply for can be applied online, you need to apply through Immigration. Go.ko. The website guides on how to apply and what steps to follow. You can read the description for each visa below to find out which one you can apply for online.

South Korea tourist visa

Tourism is a strong and beneficial industry in South Korea. In 2019, three million people visited Seoul, the capital city. You need a South Korean tourist visa to enter the country and might be

The Korean officials have introduced a B-1 visa that is for countries that do not require a visa to enter the country. It is a passport stamp that allows people to enter the country and stay for different periods of time. They can visit family or friends or do sightseeing.

The B2 visa is for those who need a visa to visit the country.

You can find out more about these visas from the left sidebar.

What are the South Korea visa requirements?

The basic requirements for a South Korea visa are:

• A valid passport that must be valid for at least six months
  
• The visa application form
• Photo of the applicant, which must be in the dimensions of the passport and color
• A visa application fee that can be paid in cash or by postal order
• A stamped and self-addressed envelope

Depending on the type of visa, it is necessary to submit other documents:

Student visa:

• Letter of admission issued by the Educational Institute
• Proof of student’s financial situation such as bank statement, scholarship, financial statement
• Reference
• Korean language certificate (if required)
• Invitation Letter from National Institute for International Education of Korea (NIIED) (if required)

Short-term business visas:

• An invitation issued by the host company in South Korea
• Documents and credentials related to the business

Work visas:

• A job contract
• Recommendation letter
  
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Applicant’s degree, qualification, and certification
• Invitation letter from the employer
• Job description
• Copy of Company Registration Certificate
• Copy of the company’s tax payment and financial statement for the previous tax year

Family visas:

• Marriage certificate for spouse (in English)
• Birth certificate for the minor children (in English)
• Alien Registration Card of the primary visa holders
• Applicants from some countries must provide a health certificate
• A letter of guarantee from Korea (for nationals from some countries)
• The inviter must provide a Tax payment certificate, bank statement, and certificate of employment.

How can I apply for a South Korea visa?

The steps for applying for a South Korea visa are:

1.  It is needed to download the visa application form and fill it out. You can download the visa application form and other forms you may need in the visa application process here. To get a form, you can also go to the nearest South Korean consulate at your place of residence. Enter your information carefully in the form and sign it.

2. Submit the necessary documents along with the completed and signed visa application form to the nearest South Korean embassy in your country.

3. You can get your visa after the visa is issued.

Korea visa application form

The application form for a South Korea visa is available on the embassy or consulate website in your home country. The point to remember is that the application form needs to be appropriate for the visa you are applying for. Each visa might have specific requirements or sections within the application form that needs to be completed.

Also, the Korean embassy in the country of your residence might put a particular option or section on the application form that is unique for your country. So, you would better get the application form from the Korean embassy in your home country.

Can I apply for a South Korea visa online?

In 2018, an online system for applying for a South Korea visa was introduced. The South Korea visa application is not currently available online, and the list of eligible countries to apply for e-Visa has not yet been finalized. But South Korean officials plan to do so by 2021.

How much does it cost to apply for a South Korea visa?

The visa application fee is based on the number of entries as follows:

How to extend a South Korea visa?

In most cases, you can renew your stay in South Korea. It is best to apply for an extension two months before the visa expires. For this purpose, you must first go to the immigration office and provide the following documents:

• Valid passport
• Application form to be completed by you
• Alien registration card (if you have one)
• Other documents ( such as signed contract, proof of the need to extend, etc.)
• An application fee of 30,000 won (20,000 won for those applying for an F2 visa)

All documents must be submitted to the immigration office. They will review your application and approve or reject your visa renewal application.

South Korea visa types

South Korea D 2 visa or Student visas:

There are different types of South Korean student visas or as gets called D 2 visas, as follows:

• Associated degree (D-2-1): For the people who intend to register for an associate degree in a college, undergraduate/graduate college established under the Higher Education Act.
• Bachelor’s degree (D-2-2): For the people who intend to register for a bachelor’s degree in a college, undergraduate/graduate college established under the Higher Education Act.
• Master’s degree (D-2-3): For the people who plan to enroll for a master’s degree in a college, undergraduate/graduate college established under the Higher Education Act, or a college under the Special Act.
• Doctoral degree (D-2-4): For the people who want to register for a doctoral degree in a college, undergraduate/graduate college established under the Higher Education Act, or a college under the Special Act.
• A research study (D-2-5): For the people who intend to join in a research project at a college, undergraduate/graduate college established under the Higher Education Act.
• Exchange student (D-2-6): For an exchange student who intends to study for a needed course/curriculum under the agreement of exchange program between corresponding universities.

D4 Korea visa

The D4 Korea visa is appropriate for people:

• Korean language trainee (D-4-1): For the people who have at least a high school diploma or the equivalent, or are students of high school or below. They can study the Korean language at an academic institution or a tertiary education center established under the Higher Education Act.
• Student (elementary, middle, high school) (D-4-3): For students who want to study in high school or lower
• Foreign language trainee (D-4-7): Those who currently attend high school or below, or who have a high school certification or above, intend to learn a foreign language at a language institution or a tertiary education center established under the Higher Education Act.
• Korean art and culture (D-1)
• Industrial trainee (D-3-11): Those who want to obtain technical training at an industrial entity involved in abroad investment under the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act.
• Industrial trainee (technology) (D-3-12): Those who intend to obtain training at a technology-exporting entity the need the training at the entity approved by the Minister of Justice of ROK
• Industrial trainee (plant) (D-3-13): Those who intend to involve in training at an entity that transports industrial pieces of equipment (plants) under the Foreign Trade Act
• General trainee (others) (D-4-2): For people who intend to involve in research or gain training at an organization, company, or academic institution except for an academic institution equivalent to high school or lower, or a language institution
• Trainee chef (Korean cuisine) (D-4-5): For people who intend to acquire training about Korean cuisine at a Korean cooking academy assigned by the Minister of Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MIFAFF)
• General trainee (private institute) (D-4-6): For the people who intend to acquire education at a private academic institute with excellent performance.

Family visas:

These Korean family visas are for:

• Cohabitee of diplomat/foreign government official (F-1-3): For a cohabitee who does not officially belong to the family who holds Diplomacy (A-1), Foreign Government Official (A-2), or Agreement (A-3)
• Spouse/underage children of F-4 oversea Korean (F-1-9): For the spouse and minor children of F-4 visa holders
• Parents of the international student (F-1-13): For parents of a foreign student who has been trained at an academic institute lower than high school.
• Dependent family (F-3-1): This visa is for the spouses and children of people who have some South Korean visas.

South Korea F 6 visa

The F 6 visa is for people who want to bring their families to the country:

• Spouse of a Korean national (F-6-1): For the spouse of a Korean National with actual matrimonial status who intends to stay in this country to continue the marriage
• Child raising (F-6-2): For parents of the minor child born after marriage with Korean (including de facto marriage) but not eligible for an F-6-1 visa and plans to raise the child in this county

F2 visa in Korea

• Underage children of Korean national (F-2-2): For a minor child of Korean or a child born from a marriage in which either of the parents is Korean (including de facto alliance)
• Spouse of a permanent resident (F-2-3): For the spouse and minor children of F-5 visa holders

Note; the F2 visa in Korea has special requirements and eligibility principles for each type of subcategories.

Korea Work visas:

The types of Korea work visas are as follows:

Working holiday visa South Korea

• The working holiday (H-1): The citizens of the eligible countries can work in South Korea for a short time and save their income under this visa.

The working holiday visa Korea is for a particular group of countries and eligible applicants. You would better read every detail and then apply for it.

• Work and visit (family connection)(H-2-1): Korean people with a defined foreign nationality and aged 25 or older can apply for this visa if they meet certain conditions.
• Work and visit (parent/spouse of D-2 student)( H-2-2): Korean people with a defined foreign nationality and aged 25 or older who are invited by their child or spouse who is currently enrolled for at least a semester in Korea under the D-2 can apply for this visa.
• Work and visit (by lottery) (H-2-5): Korean people with a defined foreign nationality and aged 25 or older can apply for this visa if they meet certain conditions.
• Work and visit (expired visa) (H-2-7): Korean people with a defined foreign nationality and aged 25 or older who are 60 years or younger at the time of departure from South Korea after the expiration of the H-2 visa.
• International trade (D-9-1): For tradesman awarded a Trade Business Code through the Korea International Trading Association, under the Foreign Trade Act
• Technician (industrial machinery) (D-9-2): For the person who is invited to the company to provide the technology required by industrial machines
• Technician (shipbuilding)( D-9-3): For a person who is invited to supervise shipbuilding or build industrial facilities
• Individual foreign businessman (D-9-4): For those who intend to manage a private business or company after raising a certain amount of foreign funds
• Short-term News Coverage (C-1): For people who work in the media, such as foreign newspapers, broadcasting channels, and journals
• Long-term News Coverage (D-5): This visa is issued to people who work in the field of media. Holders of this visa can stay longer in South Korea.
• Religious worker (D-6): For those who want to participate in religious activities.
• Short-term employee (C-4): For those who want to participate in short time employment such as advertising, modeling, lecturing, or research projects.
• Professor (E-1): For those who want to work in education and research for more than college level

South Korea D 10 visa

• Jobseeker (D-10-1): For those who want to involve in training or find a job in qualified areas under the E-1 to the E7 visas.
• Business startup (D-10-2): For those who want to start a new business qualified in the item of C of D-8 Corporate Investment.

E2 Korea visa

South Korea introduced an E2 visa for people who move to the country to work as English teachers. An educational institution takes responsibility for sponsoring the applicant, which could be:

• public school
• private academies (hagwons),
• A university

The E2 Korea visa is valid for 13 months, but the applicant can renew it every year when having a new contract or the sponsor decides to continue the employment.

• Foreign language instructor (General) (E-2-1): For people who meet the requirements defined by the Minister of Justice and intend to instruct conversational language at a foreign language institute
• Teaching assistant (E-2-2): For those who meet the requirements defined by the Minister of Justice and have signed a job agreement with the Minister of Education to instruct a foreign language at an elementary, middle, or high school as the assistant teacher.
• Foreign language instructor (by FTA) (E-2-91): For someone who wants to teach conversational language at a foreign language institute.
• Researcher (E-3): For someone who wants to teach conversational language at a foreign language institute.
• Technical instructor/technician (E-4): For those who intend to provide professional knowledge of natural science or technology guidance regarding an area described as industrially special upon invitation by a Korean government or private institute.
• Professional (E-5): For those who want to work in law, accounting, medicine, and other specialties in South Korea.
• Artists (E-6-1): For people who intend to involve in areas such as music, fine arts, literature, or professional acting, or professional entertainment under the Public Performance Act.
• Hotel and adult entertainment (E-6-2): For the people who intend to involve in performance or entertainment at hotel business facilities and adult entertainment facilities under the Tourism Promotion Acts.
• Athlete (E-6-3): For people who want to work in sports fields and their accompanying managers
• Foreign national of special ability (E-7-1): For those who intend to involve in a field assigned by the Justice Minister for the improvement of national competitiveness through using foreign workers with professional experience under a contract with an institute in South Korea
• Independent professional (by FTA) (E-7-91): For those who want to be hired independently in a Korean company under FTA.
• Manufacturing (E-9-1): For those who meet the employment qualifications determined in the Employment of Foreign Workers Act and intend to work in a manufacturing area.
• Construction (E-9-2): For those who meet the employment qualifications determined in the Employment of Foreign Workers Act and intend to work in a construction area.
• Agriculture (E-9-3): For those who meet the employment qualifications determined in the Employment of Foreign Workers Act and intend to work in farming or livestock areas.
• Fishery (E-9-4): For those who meet the employment qualifications determined in the Employment of Foreign Workers Act and intend to work in coastal inshore fishery, sea farming, and sea salt farming industry.
• Service (E-9-5): For those who meet the employment qualifications determined in the Employment of Foreign Workers Act and intend to work in construction waste processing, cold storage, collection and sales of reusable material, or press publishing industries.
• Coastal crew (E-10-1): For those who are seafarer assistants and have signed an employment contract for six months or more with an employer involved in coast-wide passenger transport service.
• Fishing ship crew (E-10-2): For those who are a seafarer assistant and have signed an employment contract for six months or more with an employer involved in business under the Regulation on Fixed net Fishery and Inshore Fishery using Motor Vessel
• Cruise ship crew (E-10-3): For those who are seafarer assistants and have signed an employment contract for six months or more with an employer involved in a cruise service (operating cruise ship of 2,000 tons or heavier)
• Household assistant of a diplomat (F-1-21): For those who intend to work for a member of a diplomatic office in South Korea as a household assistant
• Household assistant of big investor (F-1-22): For those who intend to work for an investor as a household assistant
• Household assistant of high-tech investor (F-1-23): For those who intend to work for an advanced technology investor as a household assistant
• Household assistant of professional (F-1-24): For those who intend to work for a sojourner of a prominent expert as a household assistant.
• Special talent (F-5-11): For those who have special abilities in the fields of science, management, education, culture, art, and sports

South Korea F 5 visa

South Korea F5 visa is called a permanent resident visa F-5. It gets called a Korean green card and is a varied visa type of visa for foreign nationals who want to reside in South Korea for an unlimited period of time. The visa permits them to live in the country without restrictions on the length of stay and the things they can do.

The eligible people to apply for South Korea F 5 visa are as follows:

• The adults living in the country for five years. (F-5-1)
• Foreign investment US$500,000, (F-5-5)
• Minister of Justice.
• A person residing in the country for more than 2 years and the presence is required by the (F-5-6)
• Overseas Korean under the Act on Entry, Exit, and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans (F-5-7)
• Residents whose residency is acknowledged by the Minister of Justice. (F-5-8)
• (F-5-9, F-5-15) they are the foreigners whom the Minister of Justice acknowledges the residency.
• The people who have received a degree in the country in a specific field designated by the Minister of Justice (F-5-10)
• People who have a special talent in one specific field and the Minister of Justice has acknowledged it. (F-5-11)
• The people who have made a particular contribution to the country and recognized by the Minister of Justice (F-5-12)
• The retired over 60 receive a pension more than the amount set by the Minister of Justice. (F-5-13)
• Work and visit visa holders who have met the prerequisites regarding skill licenses (F-5-14)
• People who have received residency by their age, education, etc., and have been in the country for more than three years. (F-5-16)
• People who have a residency for shareholders, investors, and directors and have been resident in the country for five years. (F-5-17, F-5-19, F-5-21, F-5-22, F-5-23)
• D-8 Corporate Investor visa holders who have been living in Korea for three years. They have attracted investment capital worth 300 million KRW or more. (F-5-24)
• People who have lived in Korea for three years under a D-8 Corporate Investor visa (F-5-26)
• The refugees who have resided in Korea for two years with a Resident visa (F-2). (F-5-27)

E7 visa South Korea

E 7 visa is the one that allows Korean companies to bring highly skilled employees and workers with special abilities to the country. The subcategories of the E7 visa are as follows:

• E-7-1, professional manpower.
• E-7-2, associate-professional manpower.
• E-7-3, general technical manpower.
• E-7-4, skilled manpower.
• E-7-91FTA independent expert.

The eligibility principles for the visa are as follows;

• Have a BA or MA certificate related to the field you want to work in.
• Have at least five years of experience in the occupation you want to work in.
• Outstanding talent in cutting-edge science or technology
• High-income professional talent

If you are administrative officers and got employed by a diplomatic mission in Korea, you become eligible for the visa.

South Korea tourist visa (visitor visas):

The types of South Korean visitor visas are as follows:

• B-1(visa exempted): South Korean Visa Exemption (B-1) is set for citizens of some countries who do not need a visa to enter South Korea.
• Tourist/ transit (general) (B-2-1): This visa allows people to transit in South Korea for a limited time without a visa.
• Tourist/Transit Visa (Jeju Island) (B-2-2): People who intend to visit Jeju Island for a tour or transit within 30 days can enter Soth Korea without a visa.
• Short-term general (C-3-1): Those who travel to South Korea for activities such as visiting relatives, attending informal sports games, seminars, cultural events, and religious ceremonies need to apply for this visa.
• Group tourist (C-3-2): A person or group who travels to Korea for the tour, or minor trading, guaranteed by an applicant’s travel agency needs to apply for this visa.
• The business visitor (general) (C-3-4): The people who intend to involve in business activities, including market research, business conferences, consultation, signing a contract, or minor trading, can apply for this permission.
• The business visitor (agreement) (C-3-5): People who intend to enter South Korea for short-term business under an agreement with this country.
• The business visitor (sponsored)(C-3-6): For the people invited by a company or an organization is assigned via the Justice Minister of South Korea as a preferred company.
• Short-term visitor (overseas Korean) (C-3-8): For Korean people living abroad who have foreign citizenship and are under 60 years of age.
• Ordinary tourist (C-3-9): For those who plan to visit South Korea to spend their holiday and leisure
• Direct transit visa (Air-side)(C-3-10): For people of some countries, including Egypt, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, who travel in direct airside transit through South Korea to visit the country.

Business visas:

The types of South Korean business visas are as follows:

• Incorporated enterprise (D-8-1): For the needed professional who intends to involve in manufacturing, technical, or management administration at a foreign-invested Korean company under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act (Incorporated Enterprise)
• Business venture (D-8-2): For someone who has set up an investment company under Special Measures for Promotion of Business Venture
• Unincorporated enterprise (D-8-3): For the needed professional who intends to involve in manufacturing, technical, or management administration at a foreign-invested Korean company under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act  (Unincorporated Enterprise )
• Technology and business startup (D-8-4): For those who have received their degree from a university in South Korea
• Intra-company transferee (by FTA) (D-8-91): For transferee of a company under FTA
• Big investor (F-5-5): For an investor who has more than $ 50,000 at the time of applying for residency and has hired more than five native Korean employees as full-time workers

South Korea F4 visa

The F4 visa Korea is for Korean nationals who have received a foreign nationality but want to visit Korea for different purposes.

The visa was valid for five years, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the officials have reduced the validity to two years.

When the applicant receives the F4 visa and enters the country, he/she needs to receive a Resident Card which gets called 거소증 in the country at the local immigration office in Korea within 90 days of his entry.

The requirements for an F4 visa are as follows:

• Passport
• Application form
• One photo
• Foreign citizenship certificate
• Certificate of Clearance
• Criminal record certificate
• Certificate of proficiency in Korean
• Birth certificate
• Enough funds to pay the visa fees
• TB test result (for a few applicants)
• Renunciation of Korean nationality
• Consent for isolation) due to COVID-19

Others:

• Medical tourists (C-3-3): For people who intend to go to South Korea for medical treatment or recuperation via a local medical institution, or a caregiver (including a family member) of a patient
• Diplomacy (A-1): For people who work at the consulate of foreign governments in South Korea and are approved by the government of this country
• Foreign Government Official (A-2): For those who work in international organizations

South Korea G1 visa

South Korea G1 visa has different subcategories that you need to know and figure out the eligibility principles. They are as follows;

• Guardian of a person going through medical treatment (G-1-2)
• A person involved in a law-suit (G-1-3),
• Refugee status (G-1-5)
• Fallen victim to prostitution, etc. (G-1-11)
• Treatment and recuperation (G-1-10): For those who intend to travel to South Korea for medical treatment or recuperation at a medical institution, or a caregiver (including family)

The Refugee Status applicants and people whose human rights have been violated by G1 south Korea visa can work in the country if they meet the requirements. The requirements must be provided to the regional immigration office, and they vary by your case.

South Korea entry requirements

The requirements to enter South Korea vary by the visa you have applied for, your conditions, and your nationality.

If you have received a student visa, you need to provide an acceptance letter from the university or education center. If you have a work visa, you need the contract letter with the employer and the work permit issued by the Korean authorities.

You need to have supporting documents to provide to the border officials.

Also, there are South Korean entry requirements for the VOVID-19 pandemic.

Applicants need to provide the vaccination certificate and the vaccines approved by the South Korean government. You also need a negative PCR test that is for 72 hours before the flight. It must be from a verified center or laboratory. If you are not vaccinated, you need a quarantine plan.

Check Korea visa status

You can check the status of your Korean visa through the official Korean immigration website: www.visa.go.kr. Enter the website and if you do not know anything about the Korean language, change the language of the website to English.

There is a section called “Check application status.” You need to complete the form with your information and can see the status of your visa application.

In case you have applied for a paper application to the Korean embassy or consulate in your home country, you can contact the embassy through their email address, phone number, or in person to know the status of your visa application.

Visa policy of South Korea

South Korea has different types of visas so to welcome people from different parts of the world. International students choose Korea as their destination to continue their education. In 2020, there were 154.000 international students in South Korea.

Also, the officials have different work visa programs, so international job seekers and skilled workers move to the country and contribute to the economy of South Korea.

In terms of visitors and tourists, the country has signed a visa waiver program with so many countries, including the EU, so to ease visitors moving to the country. The EU n nationals need a visa stamp on their passport to visit the country. The government introduced eVisa so to facilitate tourists to visit the country.

South Korea permanent residency

South Korean residency is through the F-5 visas. They are all explained in the above section, and you can learn about each one of them. The requirements are different for each type, and you might be eligible for a different subcategory.

The two common ways that you can receive South Korea permanent residency are either through investing in the country or through residing in the country for long enough under a work visa.

The refugees and other groups of people who live in the country might be able to apply for permanent residency, but they have to fulfill the eligibility principles.