There are many different types of South Korean work visa that are defined for different purposes. For example, people who intend to work in the media, people who want to begin a startup, or people who want to work in the research areas must apply for a special visa. Despite the variety of work visas, the application process is often the same. In most cases, you first need a sponsor to get the necessary approvals for you. Then you can initiate the application process.
Here, we provide complete instructions on South Korean work visa types, the application process, work visa requirements, and costs to be paid.
South Korean visa application process
If you want to get a South Korean work visa, you will first need a sponsoring employer.
- The employer first files a petition to the Ministry of Justice (MSJ).
- The Ministry of Justice (MSJ) then examines the visa application and finally decides on the visa application.
- If the organization approves the visa application, it will issue a Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance.
- Finally, you must provide this certificate to the South Korean consulate in your country.
Get the FREE Cheat sheet for
South Korean Work Visa
Who should apply for a South Korean work permit?
Any foreign national who wants to work in South Korea needs a work permit to work in the country legally. The employee can not apply for a work permit, and it is the employer’s responsibility to apply for the work permit from inside the country.
South Korean work visa applicants need to find a Korean employer who is willing to hire them. The websites introduced in the below section can help you find a job inside South Korea.
Video description
Find the links and extra information explained in the video here.
You can see the pdf file related to the youtube video here: https://visalibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/South-Korean-work-visa.pdf
South Korea visa processing time
The processing time for a South Korean visa is up to the visa you apply for. It can vary from one working week to a few months.
The time required to wait for the visa is up to several factors. Bear in mind that in some cases, there are two times that you have to wait to receive officials’ approval. First for the work permit and then for the work visa.
The country you reside in and apply for the visa is also a determining factor. Each Korean embassy might have a different processing time, and they could have more workload.
Interested in immigrating to South Korea as a Software Engineer? Just click the link.
South Korea work visa 2022
The new changes to the South Korean work visa have not been announced until 2022 yet. Whether the rules change or the government implements changes in the regulations is not yet known.
If you want to apply for a South Korean working holiday visa, you would better wait for the news as the changes might be announced early, so the applicants prepare themselves.
What is a Korean e2 visa?
Korea e2 visa is for people who want to work in the country as an English teacher.
Not everyone can apply for the e2 visa, and applicants from a few countries can apply for it:
- U.S.A
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- England
- Ireland
- South Africa
The applicant must be a native speaker. If not, they must have studied English from the junior high level and have stayed or lived in a country where English is the primary language.
Having a BA degree is also necessary to teach English in South Korea under the e2 visa. Bear in mind that if you have a degree from a French-speaking university, it won’t qualify you to teach English in South Korea.
You do not have to pass an interview in case the Korean embassy requires you to do so.
Become a Bank manager in South Korea. How? Just read our article.
South Korea’s work visa requirements
If you want to qualify for a South Korea work visa, you must provide the following documents:
- Visa application form, which is completed and signed by the applicant
- Applicant’s photo, which must be the size of a passport photo
- Copy of passport and identity card
- Your CV
- Copy of your academic degrees
- Employment contract
- Description of work tasks
- An invitation letter was written by the employer
- Company certification registration
- Certificate of incorporation company
- Evidence of company tax payments in previous years
- The receipt of the visa application fee
South Korea work visa requirements for South African citizens
The citizens of South Africa who want to apply for a South Korea visa need to submit the mentioned supporting documents to the embassy. Also, the need to provide tuberculosis(Chest X-ray) tests from a registered hospital or medical center authorized by the embassy. You can get the address from the embassy officials.
If you fall into one of the following categories, you do not need to take a Tb test:
- Children under 6 years old
- Pregnant women
- Visa holders of
- A-1(Diplomat),
- A-2(Government Official),
- A-3(Agreement)
The documents you submit to the embassy won’t be returned exempt your passport, so prepare yourself in advance.
South Korea Work Visa Cost
The cost of applying for a South Korea work visa in US dollars is as follows:
| Visa Types | Cost (USD) |
| Multiple-entry visa | 90 |
| Double-entry visa | 70 |
| Visas for 90 days or less, single-entry | 40 |
| Visas for 91 days or more, single-entry | 60 |
Types of South Korea work visa
- The working holiday (H-1): This permission lets you stay in South Korea for a short time. Besides, you can do temporary work to cover your travel expenses. Just note that nationals of some countries can apply for this visa. Holders of this visa are also allowed to do limited jobs.
- Work and visit (H2 Visas): This visa is issued as multiple entries. Korean citizens with foreign citizenship over the age of 25 can apply for this visa. Holders of this visa can only work in industrial areas. Foreign workers holding Working Visit (H-2) visas must also participate in the designated institutions’ training programs. The types of visas that fall into this category are family connection (H-2-1), parent/spouse of D-2 student ( H-2-2), Work and visit (by lottery) (H-2-5), work and visit (expired visa) (H-2-7).
- International trade (D-9-1): Foreigners intending to participate in international trade or install, manage, and maintain the exported equipment must apply for this visa.
- Technician (shipbuilding)( D-9-3): People who are invited to Korea to supervise the shipbuilding or industrial facilities can use this visa. This is issued as a single entry. Also, people who want to work in South Korea for more than 90 days must apply for an Alien Registration Card.
- Individual foreign businessman (D-9-4): This permission is for people who intend to run a domestic business or company, provided that they can increase the amount of foreign capital under the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act.
- Short-term News Coverage (C-1): People who cover and report news under:
- A foreign media,
- Newspaper,
- Journals,
- Broadcasting channel
- Long-term News Coverage (D-5): This permission is for people who intend to stay in Korea for more than 90 days for news coverage and reporting.
- Religious worker (D-6): People who want to participate in religious activities or social services in Korea must apply for this visa.
- Short-term employee (C-4): People who intend to work for 90 days or less in areas such as commercials, modeling, lecturing, research, etc. can use this visa.
- Jobseeker (D-10-1): This permission is for people who need to participate in research, technology/business, start-up, and job-seeking activities in South Korea.
- Business startup (D-10-2): People who want to start a new business under certain conditions can apply for this visa.
- Professor (E-1): People who want to do a research project or give a lecture in a specific field in Korea can apply for this visa.
- Foreign language instructor (General) (E-2-1): This visa is issued to teachers of foreign languages in educational institutions, organizations, and broadcasting companies. The language must be the teacher’s mother tongue, and he/she must also have a bachelor’s degree in language teaching.
- Teaching assistant (E-2-2): People who want to teach a foreign language at the elementary, middle, or high school level can apply for this visa. These individuals must be able to meet the conditions defined by the Minister of Justice and sign a contract with the Education Ministry.
- Foreign language instructor (by FTA) (E-2-91): Someone who intends to teach conversational language at a foreign language institute needs to apply for this visa.
- Researcher (E-3): People who want to research in natural sciences or advanced technology must apply for this visa. The minimum requirement for this visa is to have a bachelor’s degree. They must also apply to teach their mother tongue.
- Technical instructor/technician (E-4): People who are invited to South Korea to use their technical expertise in areas such as natural science and technology are qualified for this visa.
- Professional (E-5): Individuals with an international degree in a specialized field whose degree is recognized by the South Korean government can apply for this visa.
- Artists (E-6-1): People who want to work in the fields of art, music, literature, sports, and fashion must use this visa.
- Hotel and adult entertainment (E-6-2): A person who intends to participate in performance or entertainment projects at hotel business facilities and adult entertainment facilities under Tourism Promotion Acts can apply for this visa.
- Athlete (E-6-3): This permission is defined for people who want to work in sports fields.
- Foreign national of special ability (E-7-1): The validity of this visa is three years and is issued to those who intend to participate in activities designed by the Minister of Justice. Note that these people need to be invited by a private or public organization.
- Independent professional (by FTA) (E-7-91): People who want to work independently for a South Korean company under FTA can use this visa.
- Special talent (F-5-11): People with exceptional abilities in the fields of:
- Science,
- Business,
- Management,
- Education,
- Culture,
- Art,
- Sports
- The E-9 visa is for low-skilled foreigners: This visa lets foreign nationals have a job in the fields of the following groups for 4 years and 10 months:
- Manufacturing (E-9-1),
- Construction (E-9-2),
- Agriculture (E-9-3),
- Fishery (E-9-4), and services (E-9-5)
- Visa for the crew in ships (E10): People who intend to work on a South Korean ship need this permission. This visa is divided into three categories.
- Coastal crew (E-10-1),
- Fishing ship crew (E-10-2),
- Cruise ship crew (E-10-3).
- Household assistant of a diplomat (F-1-21): People who want to work for a diplomatic office member in South Korea need this visa.
- Household assistant of big investor (F-1-22): Those who work as household assistants for an investor need this visa.
- Household assistant of high-tech investor (F-1-23): People who want to work for advanced technology investors must apply for this visa.
- Household assistant of professional (F-1-24): Those who intend to work for a prominent expert as a household assistant must apply for this visa.
If you want to know how to immigrate to South Korea as a doctor, read our article.
South Korea work visa from Dubai
Applying for a South Korea work visa is possible from Dubai or any of the Emirates of the UAE and anywhere in the world. The Dubai citizens need a valid residence permit or passport from the officials to indicate their residency is legal.
The applicant needs to gather and provide all the supporting documents mentioned in this article. Remember that the officials could ask for further supporting documents and requirements.
The point to remember is the job offer from a Korean employer inside the country. You can look for a job on the websites introduced in the above section. The employer needs to apply for a work permit and receive permission so the Arab employer can work in South Korea.
The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Dubai is responsible for issuing the visa and processing it. The applicant living in Dubai needs to apply to the Consulate to receive the visa.
Let’s sum up…
In the previous sections, we had a complete overview of South Korean work visa types, the application process, requirements, and costs. In other sections of the Visa Library website, you can learn about other South Korean visas as well as immigrant and nonimmigrant visas from other countries.
If you have experience in obtaining South Korean visas, let us know through the comments section. Sharing your experiences will help others to apply for a visa consciously.
We look forward to receiving your constructive feedback and suggestions.
I am a household assistant. Under what visa can I travel to South Korea? Ps: my landlord is a diplomat.
If you will work for a diplomat as a household assistant, you can apply through an F-1-21 visa.
I can apply or not in any fields I am from nepal
Dear Hari Prasad kafle
Your question is a bit not clear.
If you want to apply for a work visa, first you need a job offer from a Korean employer.
I became criminal in South-Korea, but I need a business visa. Who can help me?
Best,
Arata Oono
Hello there. Thanks for leaving a comment on our website. To apply for a business visa, you are going to need a clean criminal record. However, it also depends on the type of crime and the year. If 5 years have passed, you may be able to apply for a visa.
I had no idea there is such thing as a Korea artist visa or E-6-1 in other terms. Thanks for the excellent information.
Hi please I want to travel and work in South Korea which visa and how to apply
Dear Isah
There are different types of South Korea work visas explained in this article. Read and find out which one is suitable for you. In general, first you need a job offer from a Korean employer. My colleague explains everything in the video.