South Korean Visa Categories

The government of South Korea, through the Korea Immigration Service under the Ministry of Justice, issues one of these visas to all non-citizens entering the country.

A visas

1. A-1 Diplomat Visa:
   • This type of visa is issued to foreign diplomats and their accompanying family members who are posted to South Korea. It allows them to engage in diplomatic activities during their stay.
2. A-2 Government Official Visa:
   • Similar to the A-1 visa, the A-2 visa is issued to foreign government officials and their accompanying family members who are assigned to work in South Korea. It enables them to perform official duties while in the country.
3. A-3 Agreement Visa:
   • The A-3 visa is generally not a standard visa category in South Korea. However, agreements between countries may lead to specific visa arrangements. It’s possible that this term refers to a visa category related to international agreements between South Korea and other nations.

B visas

1. B-1 Visa Exemption:
   • B-1 visa exemption refers to the category where certain foreign nationals are allowed to enter South Korea without obtaining a visa in advance. This means that travelers falling under this category can visit Korea for a specified duration without the need for a formal visa application. The specific conditions and duration of stay may vary based on the individual’s nationality and purpose of visit.
2. B-2 Tourist/Transit Visa:
   • B-2 is a visa category for tourists and individuals in transit. This visa allows foreign nationals to enter South Korea for tourism purposes or for connecting flights to other countries. Tourist visas are typically issued for a limited duration, and the traveler is expected to leave the country before the visa expires.

C visas

1. C-1: Temporary News Coverage
   • This visa category is for individuals who are visiting South Korea for temporary news coverage, such as journalists and reporters covering specific events or stories.
2. C-2: Short-Term Business
   • The C-2 visa is intended for individuals engaging in short-term business activities in South Korea, such as attending meetings, conferences, or negotiations.
3. C-3: Short-Term Visit
   • The C-3 visa is for short-term visits to South Korea for purposes other than business. This could include tourism, family visits, or other non-business related short stays.
4. C-4: Short-Term Employee
   • This category is likely for individuals employed on a short-term basis in South Korea. It could include people coming to work temporarily for a specific project or assignment.

D visas

1. D-1: Artist
   • The D-1 visa is for foreign nationals engaged in artistic activities in South Korea, including performers, musicians, and other artists.
2. D-2: Students
   • The D-2 visa is for international students studying in South Korea at universities or other educational institutions.
3. D-3: Industrial Trainee
   • The D-3 visa is for individuals participating in industrial training programs in South Korea.
4. D-4: General Trainee
   • The D-4 visa is for foreign nationals undergoing general training in South Korea, typically in fields such as language training or vocational skills.
5. D-5: Journalism
   • The D-5 visa is for journalists and media professionals working in South Korea.
6. D-6: Religion
   • The D-6 visa is for individuals engaged in religious activities in South Korea.
7. D-7: Intra-Company Transfer
   • The D-7 visa is for employees transferred within the same company to work in a South Korean branch or office.
8. D-8: Corporate Investor
   • The D-8 visa is for foreign investors who plan to invest in and operate a business in South Korea.
9. D-9: International Trade
   • The D-9 visa is for individuals involved in international trade activities in South Korea.
10. D-10: Job Seeking
    • The D-10 visa is for individuals who have completed their studies or work contract in South Korea and wish to stay temporarily to seek employment.

E visas

1. E-1: Professor
   • The E-1 visa is for foreign nationals who are appointed as professors at universities or research institutions in South Korea.
2. E-2: Foreign Language Instructor
   • The E-2 visa is for foreign language instructors teaching languages other than Korean in South Korean educational institutions.
3. E-3: Research
   • The E-3 visa is for foreign nationals engaged in research activities at universities or research institutions in South Korea.
4. E-4: Technology Transfer
   • The E-4 visa is for individuals involved in technology transfer activities, typically related to transferring advanced technology or skills to South Korean entities.
5. E-5: Professional Employment
   • The E-5 visa is for foreign nationals employed in professional roles in South Korea, requiring specific expertise or qualifications.
6. E-6: Artistic Performer
   • The E-6 visa is for foreign artistic performers, including musicians, actors, and other entertainment professionals working in South Korea.
7. E-7: Designated Activities
   • The E-7 visa is for individuals engaged in designated activities, typically in specialized fields such as finance, law, consulting, or other professional services.
8. E-8: Training Employment
   • The E-8 visa is for individuals undergoing training for employment in South Korea.
9. E-9: Non-Professional Employment
   • The E-9 visa is for foreign nationals engaged in non-professional employment, typically in industries such as manufacturing, construction, and agriculture.
10. E-10: Crew Employee
    • The E-10 visa is for crew members employed on ships, airlines, or other transportation vehicles.

F visas

1. F-1: Visiting or Joining Family
   • The F-1 visa is for foreign nationals visiting or joining family members who are residents or citizens of South Korea.
2. F-2: Resident
   • The F-2 visa is for foreign nationals who are residents in South Korea, often including individuals who have stayed in the country for a certain period and meet specific criteria.
3. F-3: Accompanying Spouse/Child
   • The F-3 visa is for spouses or children accompanying a family member who is a resident or citizen of South Korea.
4. F-4: Overseas Korean
   • The F-4 visa is designed for individuals of Korean descent who are not citizens but wish to stay in South Korea for an extended period. This category often includes ethnic Koreans from overseas.
5. F-5: Permanent Resident
   • The F-5 visa is for foreign nationals who have obtained permanent residency status in South Korea, allowing them to reside in the country without the need for continuous visa renewals.
6. F-6: Marriage to Korean Citizen
   • The F-6 visa is for foreign nationals who are married to a South Korean citizen. It allows them to reside in South Korea based on their marital relationship.

G visas

• The G-1 visa category is typically designated as “Miscellaneous.” This category may cover various purposes that do not fall into the specific classifications of other visa types. The G-1 visa could be used for unique or miscellaneous situations that do not fit within the more common visa categories.

H visas

1. H-1: Working Holiday
   • The H-1 visa is for individuals participating in a working holiday program in South Korea. This type of visa allows young people from certain countries to work and travel in South Korea for a limited period. It is designed to promote cultural exchange and provide participants with the opportunity to experience life in the host country.
2. H-2: Working Visit
   • The H-2 visa is for foreign nationals visiting South Korea for work-related purposes. This could include short-term business visits, meetings, consultations, or other professional activities that do not fall under a long-term employment category. The H-2 visa is often used for short-duration work assignments or projects.

M visas

• The M-1 visa category in South Korea is typically associated with military service. South Korea has mandatory military service for its male citizens, and the M-1 visa is used to denote individuals serving in the military.

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