Come and stay a while!
Korea is such a wonderful, dynamic, and exciting country. From K-pop and K-beauty to traditional palaces and Confucian academies. Wouldn’t it be great to come to Korea for a long-term stay? Luckily, Korea offers a few different visa types for those who would like to come to the Land of Morning Calm to work, study, or have fun. Keep reading to learn more about immigration in Korea and about some of the available visas that Korea offers!
Why Korea?
For those interested in studying, working, or living abroad then South Korea is an exceptional place for all of the above. Korea’s universities are popular destinations for study abroad and international students. Hongdae in Seoul is the place to be when you are a student in Korea. For those who are interested in teaching English or doing IT work, Korea offers visas for both to foreign citizens. And if you would just like to see what Korea has to offer then visa-free travel up to 90 days is also possible for certain countries with strong political ties to South Korea. Here are just a few examples of reasons to come to Korea for a long-term stay.
What kind of visas does Korea offer?
Obtaining a visa in Korea, just like with any country, is dependent on a few different variables. Things like one’s nationality, education, income level, and even criminal history (or lack thereof) all play a role in what type of visa one can obtain in South Korea.
But the main factor when it comes to visas in Korea would be regarding what one wants to and is eligible to do here. The Korean government offers a large catalog of different visas, most of which depend on a specific aspect of one’s job or what one intends to do in Korea.
The first major breakdown of categories are the Single and Multiple entry visas. As their names suggest, a Single entry visa only allows one to enter Korea and then one will have to get an additional visa if one were to leave and try to return. Multiple entry visas allow for an individual to leave and re-enter Korea multiple times without the need to obtain a new visa. Then, the visa categories get far more complex with different types starting from A and going all the way down to T. Let’s find out more!
A Visa
This category is mainly for diplomatic purposes. Diplomats, government officials, and American armed service members can apply for an A-1, A-2, or A-3 visa respectively.
B Visa
This category allows travelers from the People’s Republic of China to travel visa-free for 30 days as long as they use Incheon as a stopover.
C Visa
This is a short-term visa category that includes visiting Korea for news coverage, short-term business and employment like for a business trip, medical assistance, medical tourism, and other short-term business visits.
D Visa
This category is ideal for students. It mainly focuses on those seeking training, education, and/or short-term periods when they are between jobs and, thus, in theory between visa types. Artists, students, trainees, religious personnel, and others are eligible for this visa type.
E Visa
As opposed to the D visa category, the E visa category includes individuals who are coming to Korea to work. The distinction is D category visa holders are here to train and study, not work jobs and get paid or are actively looking for a job in which they will then change visa types. But E visa types can work jobs and get paid. This visa type includes professors, foreign language instructors, athletes, construction workers, agricultural workers, and others. A special note for those seeking to teach English in Korea. Those interested in teaching should apply for the E-2 visa in particular, which is the foreign language instructor visa.
F visa
This category is “F” for family! Or at least that is a handy way to think about this visa type. This one includes spouses of Korean citizens, family visiting from overseas, accompanying children, and others who are seeking long-term residence in Korea.
G Visa
This visa type is wide-ranging and can include those seeking long-term medical treatment, refugees, those involved in lawsuits, and those who have been victims of human trafficking. This visa type focuses on humanitarian aid and related situations.
H Visa
This type focuses on working holiday and working visit visa seekers. Family members visiting students under another visa type and those invited to Korea for short-term visits fall under this category.
M Visa
This visa is for military personnel. A-3 visas are also available for military personnel.
T Visa
This is a tourist landing visa. Ideally one will seek another visa type after landing in Korea if they wish to stay for an extended period.
Hallryu visa
This new visa also known as the “K-Culture Training Visa” is geared specifically at K-pop and Hallryu fans who wish to visit and stay in Korea for up to 2 years. This visa differs from some of the other aforementioned visa types like the E-6 because it requires applicants to register with cultural and other related arts centers like the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. The E-6 on the other hand requires applicants to be contacted by Korean entertainment firms.
Digital Nomad Visa
With universal wifi and one of the fastest internet connections in the world, South Korea makes an exceptional place for digital nomads. Ironically, this visa which is another recent addition to the Korean Visa catalog, failed to attract many visa holders. However, those who would like to experience digital nomadism in Korea can stay for up to two years with this visa type while they work for a foreign company or as a freelancer. This visa is also known as the Workcation visa and is classed under F-1-D.
The immigration and visa process
Depending on one’s desired or applicable visa type the immigration process will differ. Korean immigration is very strict so it is advised to obtain all of your documents and have them ready 2-3 months in advance of any sort of scheduled appointments or immigration visits.
When visiting immigration, original documents will be required and your original documents will also generally require apostilles and authentications from the government or other official organizations in order to be accepted.
Always keep copies of your documents, because sometimes when renewing a visa, a copy will suffice and this will save you a great deal of work and stress. To be certain of what visa you are eligible for and what is required be sure to contact the Korean consulate or embassy in your country of origin. Some rules and documents are different depending on one’s nationality and thus the specifics should be sought out by oneself.
A visa for everyone!
South Korea, wanting to shake the old image of the Hermit Kingdom, has been trying to open itself up to the world. One way has been through offering a wide and diverse array of visas to choose from or be eligible for. If you are interested in spending extended time in the Land of Morning Calm, please visit your nearest Korean consulate or embassy or visit their website and see how and where your immigration and visa journey can begin. You will be saying anneyanghaseyo in no time!
Photos: Ministry of Justice, KOICA
Incheon Airport Immigration Office / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
—-Kevin H.
Works Cited
“Digital Nomads Korea.” Www.digitalnomadskorea.com, www.digitalnomadskorea.com/post/everything-you-need-to-know-about-koreas-digital-nomad-visa. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.
Kelleher, Suzanne Rowan. “South Korea Is Launching a Visa Just for K-Pop Fans.” Forbes, www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2024/01/02/south-korea-is-launching-a-visa-just-for-k-pop-fans/?sh=60dc651e39d3. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.
“List of South Korean Visas.” Wikipedia, 15 Aug. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_South_Korean_visas.
“Online Booking for Immigration Office “Takes Too Long.”” Koreatimes, 25 May 2018, www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/12/113_249610.html. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.
Service (KOCIS), Korean Culture and Information. “ 2023 to See New Visa for Korean Culture Training, Revamped Expat Card : Korea.net : The Official Website of the Republic of Korea.” Www.korea.net, www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Society/view?articleId=226754.
—. “Sharing with the World, Part 3: Korea’s Immigration Screening System : Korea.net : The Official Website of the Republic of Korea.” Www.korea.net, www.korea.net/NewsFocus/policies/view?articleId=141183. Accessed 15 Feb. 202
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