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Visa Types & Rules
| Type A |
A-1 (Diplomats)
A-2 (Official Duty)
A-3 (Agreement) |
| Type B |
B-1 (Visa Waiver)
B-2 (Tourist/Transit) |
| Type C |
C-1 (Temporary News Coverage)
C-2 (Short-term Business)
C-3 (Short-term Visitors)
C-4 (Short-term Employment) |
| Type D |
D-1 (Culture/Art)
D-2 (Students)
D-3 (Industrial Trainees)
D-4 (General Trainees)
D-5 (Residence Reporters)
D-6 (Religious Workers)
D-7 (Intra-Company Transferees)
D-8 (Treaty Investors)
D-9 (Treaty Traders) |
| Type E |
E-1 (Professors)
E-2 (Teaching Foreign Languages)
E-3 (Research)
E-4 (Special Technology - Instruction)
E-5 (Specialty Occupations)
E-6 (Arts and Entertainment)
E-7 (Other Particular Occupations)
E-8 (Industrial Trainees Employment) |
| Type F |
F-1 (Visiting and Joining Families)
F-2 (Residence)
F-3 (Dependent Families)
F-4 (Overseas Korean Residents) |
| Type G |
G-1 (Other) |
| Type H |
H-1 (Working Holiday) |
Tourist & Business Visas 
Visitors from countries not under Visa Exemption Agreements must apply for
a visa extension if planning to stay for more than 30 days. Depending on the
situation of the consulate, the visa extension will be issued 1 to 3 days
from the day of application. Applicants require a completed application form,
a recent passport-size colour photo and application fee. Visitors do not require
the outbound flight ticket. Visa extensions are usually for 90 days.
All visas including long-term visas are for a single visit. Therefore anyone
who wishes to leave the country and re-enter later on during the allowed period
of stay should obtain the Re-entry Permit from the Ministry of Justice prior
to departure. For business visas, the intention of activities must be clearly
stated on the visa application form.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Homepage: Welcome
to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Work Visas
Visitors may obtain work visas in their home country with the endorsement
of the employer in Korea. If the visitor is already in Korea, he/she must
obtain the work visa from an embassy or consulate in a country outside Korea.
Work visas are usually valid for 1 year from the date of issue and take about
2-4 weeks to process. Work visa extensions are possible if visitor remains
with the same employer. Visitors with work visas must obtain a residence permit
from the Immigration Office. Visitors engaging in remunerative activities
without a work visa can be subject to fines and deportation.
Requirements for Entrance
Any foreign visitor wishing to enter the Republic of Korea should have a valid
passport and a visa. The following Nationals can enter Korea without visas on
business or travelling purposes.
Countries under Visa Exemption
Agreements |
| Asia
& Oceania |
Bangladesh,
Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Israel, Pakistan
『 Pakistan : The Visa Exemption Agreement has been indefinitely suspended
since January 1, 2002. |
| America |
Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados,
Colombia, Commonwealth of Dominica, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic,
Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Panama, Brazil, El
Salvador, St. Lucia, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines,
Surinam, Trinided & Tobago |
| Africa |
Lesotho,
Liberia, Morocco, Tunisia |
| Europe |
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Rumania, Spain, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands,
United Kingdom, Turkey |
『 Korean who,
with ports of Republic of Korea, wish to enter the above countries, can
enter without visas in cases of within 30, 60 or 90 days of visits on business
or travelling purposes, according to each agreement.
No-Visa Entry |
| Asia & Oceania |
Macao, Brunei, Saudi Arabia,
United Arab Emirates, Republic of Yemen, Oman, Japan, Qatar, Taiwan,
Hongkong, Kuwait, Guam, Nauru, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands,
Kiribati, Fiji, Australia, Marshall Islands, Palau |
| America |
U,S,A, Canada, Guatemala,
Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Honduras Uruguai, Paraguai, |
| Europe |
Lithuania, Monaco, Vatican
City, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, Cyprus, San Marino, Andorra |
| Africa |
South Africa, Swaziland,
Egypt |
The above nationals who want to visit Korea just for a short-term tour
or transit are permitted to enter Korea with no visa according to the principles
of reciprocity or priority of national interests with a tourist/transit
visa status(B-2, 30days). Special status is awarded to Canadians(6 months)
and Australian(90days)
Application for Visas
- Visitors who plan to stay in Korea for longer than 90 days must obtain visas before entering Korea.
- Nationals of those countries which have visa waiver agreement with Korea can
enter without visas, on the condition that they should not engage in remunerative
activities during their stay in Korea.
『 Canadians can also enter the Republic of Korea without visas for a stay of
up to six months.
- Visa application should be made
at Korean Embassies or consulates abroad.
- It is required for the visa applicants
to submit passport, application forms, a recent passport-style color photograph,
and such other documents as determined by the status of stay.
- Visa fees are as follows (visa
fees below are basic rates so first contact the Korean Embassy or Consulate
before applying for a visa):
- Single entry visa for a stay of no more than 90 days : USD30
-Single entry visa for a stay of more than 90 days : USD50
- Multiple entry visa : USD80
- Prolongation of Reentry Permit : USD20
『 For Citizens of United States of America, multiple entry visa fee is USD45
on the basis of reciprocity since the mutual agreement in 1994.
-Exemption of Visas Fees(As listed below)
| For
the Nationals of These States |
On
These Conditions |
| Britain,
Sweden, Spain, Italy, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan |
Every
Visa(Regardless of its period of stay)
『 In case of Britain, it is restricted the period of stay should be
no more than six months. |
| Colombia,
Barbados, Peru, Liberia,Dominican Republic |
Those
Visas of which the period of stay is more than 91 days. |
| Paraguay,
Benin, Romania, Brazil, Uruguay |
Those
Visas of which the period of stay is more than 91 days issued to the
holders of diplomatic and official passports. |
| Mongolia,
Venezuela |
Those
Visas of which the period of stay is more than 31 days issued to the
holders of diplomatic and official passports. |
| Philippines |
Those
Visas of which the period of stay is no more than 59 days. |
| Australia |
C-2
Visas of which the period of stay is no more than 90 days. |
-application For Visa.
* download visaform.doc
Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance
1. Overview
Foreign technical trainees or Chinese who wish to visit relatives in Korea
should get the permission from the Minister of Justice before being issued
a visa. For easy and quick procedure of that permission system, we have introduced
a "certificate for confirmation of visa issuance".
2. Procedure
- Foreign invitees can obtain visas by submitting the certificate received
from Korean invitors.
- Invitors residing in Korea can obtain the certificate by submitting an
application form and required documents at the Korean Immigration Bureau.
- Foreign invitees apply for a visa application form, a recent passport-type
color photograph and passport, and visa fee is also required.
Of all the types of employement visas, over 90% are either E1,E2
or E7. Therefore, the details on these 2 types of visas are listed
below.
| |
E-1(Professors) |
E-2 (Teaching foreign languages) |
E-7 (Other particular occupations) |
| Object of Visa Issuance |
This category applies to foreigners who, as qualified individuals specified
by the Educational Law, wish to instruct special fields of study or engage
in the guidance of research at junior colleges or higher educational institutions,
or the institutions corresponding to such levels.
『 In the case of a national or a public University, a foreigner is not permitted
to be a full-time professor. |
The E-2 visa is available to individuals who have the qualifications
specified by the Minister of justice and desire to instruct foreign languages
at foreign language institutions, educational institutions of elementary
school and higher levels or their attached language research institutions,
or language training institutions attached to public/private companies or
broadcasting stations, or other institutions/organizations corresponding
to such institutions as described above.
『 In principle, a foreign language instructor shall be a native speaker
of the teaching language.
Educational Requirements:
Must meet one of these requirements:
- An applicant should be granted a degree of B.A/ B.S or higher levels
in a country whose basic language is his or her native language. regardless
the length of curriculum. This means 3 year college graduate who has
attained a B.A/B.S. is equally eligible as someone who has graduated
from a 4 year college/univeristy.
『 Foreign language institutions or organizations
- Educational institutions of elementary school and higher levels or
their annex language research institutions
- Foreign language institutions registered according to the Act on
establishment of institute.
- Language training institutions attached to public/private companies
or organizations
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This visa category applies to foreigners who desire to work for public
or private organizations as a cook, teacher of school for foreigners only,
etc., other than those in E-1 status through E-6 status.
- An individual who intends to work for a public or private organization
as a foreign language reviser or a teacher of school for foreigners
only.
- An individual who has professional knowledge or special technology
and skills and intends to provide for a public or private organization
with necessary industria technology, skills or professional knowledge.
- An individual who intends to take up a special position in a public
or private organization and is deemed to contribute for the strength
of national competitiveness.
- An individual who is invited as an instructor or a coach by sports
related organization and deemed to contribute for the promotion of sports.
- An individual who is hired as a staff for a foreign diplomatic and
consular office in Korea or a foreign organization.
- An individual who is hired as an indispensible person in a foreign
invested corporation, a foreign branch office or foreign private company
in Korea. (an approval of transfer from the chief of the current employing
company is required.)
- An individual who wants to work in the field of Information & Technology
or e-Business and recommended by the Ministry of Pertiment Department
『 A person who is scheduled to stay no longer than 90 days in Korea for
the purpose of the above activity is involved in the category of short-termemployment
(C-4).
- An individual who is hired by Korean transportation company and intends
to work as a crew member on a ship liner or Cruise Ship.
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| Required Documents |
- Passport
- Application for VISA ( PDF )
- Others - Career certificate - Copy of Diploma - Contract or confirmation
of expectant employee
『 If necessary, the chief of a Korean Embassy or Consulate abroad may
ask an applicant to submit more documents than required.
|
- Passport
- Application for VISA ( PDF )
- Others - employment contract - copy of diploma - substantiating documents
for a foundation of institution or organization - reference
『If necessary, the chief of a Korean Embassy or Consulate abroad may
ask an applicant to submit more documents than required. |
- Passport
- Application for VISA ( PDF )
- Others
-Employment contract
-Degree or certificate of qualification
-Recommendation letter for employment from the Minister of pertinent Department
or substantiating documents for the necessity of employment
-Substantiating documents for the foundation of the pertinent company
『 In principle, making an application for a certificate for recognition
of visa issuance, it is required to get an employment recommendation letter
from the Minister of a pertinent Department, however, the following cases
are not required to do so.
- An individual who intends to work as a teacher of schools for foreigners
only.
- An individual who is hired as a staff for foreign diplomatic and consular
offices in Korea or foreign organizations.
- An individual who intends to work in a tourist lodging industry or a
tourist facility for the promotion of tourism.
- An individual who intends to work for an engineering company to provide
that company with technology of the related field.
- An individual who intends to work in a specialized construction superintendent
company to provide it with superintendent technology.
『 If necessary, the chief of a Korean Embassy or Consulate abroad may
ask an applicant to submit more documents than required.
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| Procedure for Certificate for Recognition of Visa Issuance |
- A certificate for recognition of visa issuance is issued to a person
concerned in Korea(proxy) on the grounds of his application by the chief
of a district or branch office. (Uijeongbu, Ulsan, Donghae)
- A person concerned in Korea(proxy) sends the issued certificate by
the chief of immigration office to the applicant abroad.
- An applicant(foreigner) applies for a visa to the Korean Embassy
or Consulate with the above certificate, passport and application form.
- Required documents by a person concerned in Korea(proxy) are the
same as those of traditional procedures. If necessary, the chief of
a district or branch office may ask a proxy to submit more documents
than required.
- Application for Confirmation of VISA Issuance ( PDF )
『 An applicant may ask to issue a certain visa which is not mandated
to the chief of a Korean Embassy or Consulate abroad. However, in this
case, the chief of a Korean Embassy or Consulate abroad shall get prior
approval from the Minister of Justice.
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- A certificate for recognition of visa issuance is issued to a person
concerned in Korea(proxy) on the grounds of his application by the chief
of a district or branch office. (Uijeongbu, Ulsan, Donghae)
- A person concerned in Korea(proxy) sends the issued certificate by
the chief of immigration office to the applicant abroad.
- An applicant(foreigner) applies for a visa to a Korean Embassy or
Consulate with the above certificate, passport and application form.
- Required documents by a person concerned in Korea(proxy) are the
same as those of traditional procedures. If necessary, the chief of
a district or branch office may ask a proxy to submit more documents
than required.
- Application for Confirmation of VISA Issuance ( PDF ) 『 An applicant
may ask to issue a certain visa which is not mandated to the chief of
a Korean Embassy or Consulate abroad. However, in this case, the chief
of a Korean Embassy or Consulate abroad shall get prior approval from
the Minister of Justice in advance.
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- A certificate for recognition of visa issuance is issued to a person
concerned in Korea(proxy) on the grounds of his application by the chief
of a district or branch office.
- A person concerned in Korea(proxy) sends the issued certificate by
the chief of immigration office to the applicant abroad.
- An applicant(foreigner) applies for a visa to the Korean Embassy
or Consulate with the above certificate, passport and application form.
- Required documents by a person concerned in Korea(proxy) are the
same as those of traditional procedures. If necessary, the chief of
a district or branch office may ask a proxy to submit more documents
than required.
- Application for Confirmation of VISA Issuance ( PDF ) 『 An applicant
may ask to issue a certain visa which is not mandated to the chief of
a Korean Embassy or Consulate abroad. However, in this case, the chief
of a Korean Embassy or Consulate abroad shall get prior approval from
the Minister of Justice.
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A foreigner shall make an application for a visa to a Korean Embassy or Consulate
abroad with the required documents as above. A Certificate for Recognition of
Visa Issuance is processed by your contractor in Korea when you are hired.
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