Visa Categories for Korea

Visa Categories: subject to change – to confirm click here 
1.          A-1        Diplomat
             A-2        Government Official
             A-3        Treaty 

2.          B-1        Exempt from Visa
             B-2        Pass Without Visa 

3.          C-1        Short-Term News Coverage Activities
             C-2        Short-Term Business Visitor
             C-3        Short-Term General (Tourist)
             C-4        Short-Term Employment
             D-1        Cultural/Artist
             D-2        Student
             D-3        Industrial Trainee
             D-4        General Trainee
             D-5        General News Coverage Activities
             D-6        Religious Visitor/Missionary
             D-7        Employee of Foreign-Invested Company
             D-8        Investor             
             D-9        Trade and Management 

4.           E-1        Professor            
              E-2        English Conversation Teacher            
              E-3        Researcher            
              E-4        Technical Instructor             
              E-5        Professional Consultant            
              E-6        Entertainer            
              E-7        Specially Designated Profession 

5.           F-1         Visit            
              F-2         Long-Term Resident            
              F-3         Dependent 
              F-4         Korean Overseas
 
6.           G-1        Others

There are two ways in and out of Korea – via air or via sea. The majority enter the country at Incheon International Airport. The information contained in this section is intended to provide some direction for people planning to either come to South Korea to visit or live for a time. In no way is it, or is it intended to be a complete guide to the immigration process.

For more information, you should visit official Korean government sites, including:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Labor
Government of Korea for Foreigners

Much of the information contained on these sites is quite useful. However, it is important to note that it is not always complete and that you often must make additional inquiries. Do not be surprised either if you’ve heard or read something that is different from the content of any of the above sites. Sometimes, rules/laws are changed but there is a lag in the time between the adoption of the rule/legislation and updates of the English site.

It doesn’t hurt to e-mail and ask specific questions or to confirm that the information you’ve read on the English site is accurate. A written inquiry is often more helpful than a verbal one. Since reading is taught from a relatively early age, people here often find it easier to deal with written requests in English rather than verbal questions. To avoid misunderstandings, it is also helpful to get the answers in writing.

If you plan on working or volunteering (even if your work is unpaid) you will need a visa. Your employer or sponsor is responsible for applying for the visa and you should receive it before coming to Korea.

If your spouse is the one who will be working in Korea, you can obtain a ‘dependents’ visa if you are legally married. The non-working partner of couples who are not married is not eligible for a dependents visa and will have to travel out of the country every 90 days.

If you have nanny/cook/driver/ etc. who has been with you and your family for many years, but who is not Korean, you can only sponsor her/him if you are a diplomat or if you (your company) has invested the equivalent of KRW500 billion or more. Note: not every expat working in such an invested company is eligible to sponsor a maid.


K4E Editor: Korea4Expats.com tries to ensure that the information we provide is accurate and complete, so should you notice any errors or omissions in the content above please contact us at info@korea4expats.com.