Visa Types — South Korea

Major Visa Categories for Immigrating to South Korea

*Note: South Korea's visa system uses alphanumeric codes (e.g., E-2, F-4). Fees and processing times below are approximate and vary by applicant nationality, visa office jurisdiction, and current exchange rates (~1,300–1,400 KRW = 1 USD as of 2024). Always verify current details with the Korean Immigration Service (HiKorea, hikorea.go.kr) or your nearest Korean embassy/consulate.*

E-1: Professor Visa

Who it's for: Foreign nationals hired as full-time professors, lecturers, or researchers at Korean universities/colleges.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Job offer/contract from an accredited Korean higher education institution
• Minimum a master's degree (PhD often preferred) in relevant field
• Employment contract specifying teaching/research duties

Processing time: 5–10 business days (after document submission)

Cost:

• Single entry: ~60,000 KRW (~$45 USD)
• Multiple entry: ~120,000 KRW (~$90 USD)

E-2: Foreign Language Instructor Visa

Who it's for: Native English (and other language) speakers teaching at language institutes (hagwons), schools, or universities.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Bachelor's degree (in any field) from an accredited university
• Citizenship from a designated native English-speaking country (US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland, South Africa) for English teaching
• Clean criminal background check (apostilled/notarized)
• Health check (including drug test) upon arrival
• Sealed transcripts and diploma

Processing time: 5–10 business days

Cost:

• Single entry: ~60,000 KRW (~$45 USD)
• Multiple entry: ~90,000–120,000 KRW (~$65–90 USD)

E-7: Specially Designated Activities Visa

Who it's for: Skilled foreign professionals in specific occupations (IT, engineering, management, design, etc.) approved under Korea's designated skill list.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Job offer in an approved occupation category (over 60 designated professions)
• Relevant degree and/or work experience (varies by occupation, often 1–5 years)
• Employer sponsorship and often quota/point-based eligibility
• Salary requirements (must meet minimum thresholds, varies by role)

Processing time: 2–4 weeks (employer must first get visa issuance confirmation)

Cost:

• Single entry: ~60,000 KRW (~$45 USD)
• Multiple entry: ~120,000 KRW (~$90 USD)

D-2: Student Visa (Higher Education)

Who it's for: International students enrolled in degree programs (bachelor's, master's, PhD) at Korean universities.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Acceptance letter from a Korean university
• Proof of financial capacity (bank statements showing sufficient funds, often ~$20,000 USD equivalent or per-semester tuition + living costs)
• Academic transcripts from prior institution
• Some universities require TOPIK (Korean proficiency) or English test scores

Processing time: 1–2 weeks

Cost:

• Single entry: ~60,000–120,000 KRW (~$45–90 USD), varies by nationality
• Multiple entry: ~120,000–200,000 KRW (~$90–150 USD)

D-4: General Training Visa

Who it's for: Students in language institutes (Korean language programs) or non-degree vocational/technical training.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Enrollment in a recognized language institute (usually university-affiliated) or training program
• Proof of financial support for tuition and living expenses
• Some programs require minimum education level completion

Processing time: 1–2 weeks

Cost:

• Single entry: ~60,000 KRW (~$45 USD)
• Multiple entry: ~90,000–120,000 KRW (~$65–90 USD)

D-8: Corporate Investment Visa

Who it's for: Foreign investors establishing or working in a company with foreign direct investment in Korea.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Minimum investment of 100 million KRW (~$75,000 USD) per foreign investor in a registered Korean company
• Business registration and foreign investment report with KOTRA/Invest Korea
• Role as executive, manager, or specialist within the invested company
• Business plan demonstrating viability

Processing time: 2–4 weeks

Cost:

• Single entry: ~60,000 KRW (~$45 USD)
• Multiple entry: ~120,000 KRW (~$90 USD)

D-9: Trade Management Visa

Who it's for: Foreign nationals engaged in international trade, technology transfer, or setting up branch offices for overseas companies.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of trade business operations (import/export volume thresholds, often $100,000+ USD annually)
• Business registration in Korea
• Employment/role documentation with trading company

Processing time: 2–3 weeks

Cost:

• Single entry: ~60,000 KRW (~$45 USD)
• Multiple entry: ~120,000 KRW (~$90 USD)

F-2: Long-Term Resident/Points-Based Visa

Who it's for: Long-term residents, spouses of Korean nationals in transition to permanent status, or high-skilled individuals qualifying under Korea's points system.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Points-based system considers: age, education, Korean language ability (TOPIK), income, work experience
• Minimum 80 points (out of 120) typically required
• Alternatively, 5+ years of continuous residence under qualifying visa status
• Or marriage to Korean national (after initial F-6 period)

Processing time: 2–4 weeks

Cost:

• ~100,000–200,000 KRW (~$75–150 USD), varies by sub-category and extension vs. new issuance

F-4: Overseas Korean Visa

Who it's for: Foreign nationals of Korean ethnicity/heritage (former Korean citizens or descendants) living abroad.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of Korean heritage (birth certificate, family register showing Korean ancestry, typically up to grandparent generation)
• Valid foreign passport
• No specific age or degree requirements, but excluded from certain manual labor jobs

Processing time: 1–3 weeks

Cost:

• Single entry: ~60,000 KRW (~$45 USD)
• Multiple entry: ~120,000–200,000 KRW (~$90–150 USD)

F-5: Permanent Residency Visa

Who it's for: Long-term foreign residents seeking permanent residency status in Korea.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Continuous legal residence in Korea for 5+ years (varies: 3 years for certain investment visas, 2 years for F-6 marriage visa holders)
• Stable income above a set threshold (often based on Gross National Income per capita)
• Clean criminal record
• Basic Korean language/social integration knowledge (often via KIIP - Korea Immigration & Integration Program)
• No public assistance/welfare dependency

Processing time: 3–6 months

Cost:

• ~200,000–300,000 KRW (~$150–225 USD)

F-6: Marriage Migrant Visa

Who it's for: Foreign spouses of Korean citizens.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Legal marriage registration to a Korean national
• Proof of genuine relationship (photos, communication records, meeting history)
• Korean spouse's income above minimum threshold (to show ability to support)
• Basic Korean language ability (increasingly required, especially for renewal)
• Health check may be required

Processing time: 1–3 months (initial application often requires interview)

Cost:

• Single entry: ~60,000 KRW (~$45 USD)
• Multiple entry: ~120,000 KRW (~$90 USD)

H-2: Working Visit Visa (Overseas Koreans - China/CIS)

Who it's for: Ethnic Koreans from China and former Soviet Union (CIS) countries for employment in Korea (mainly manual labor, service sectors).

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of Korean ethnicity
• Age 18–60 (varies)
• Passing a basic Korean language/culture test in some cases
• Lottery/quota system application through Korean consulates in home country

Processing time: Several weeks to months (quota-dependent)

Cost:

• ~60,000–100,000 KRW (~$45–75 USD)

E-9: Non-Professional Employment Visa

Who it's for: Foreign workers in manufacturing, agriculture, fishing, and construction industries (Employment Permit System - EPS countries: Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, etc.)

Key eligibility requirements:

• Pass EPS-TOPIK (Korean language test for employment)
• Sponsorship by a registered Korean employer via EPS
• Age typically 18–39
• Health check clearance
• Selection through government-to-government labor agreement quota

Processing time: Several months (dependent on EPS selection process and employer matching)

Cost:

• Visa issuance: ~60,000 KRW (~$45 USD)
• Additional EPS processing fees vary by home country agreement

D-10: Job-Seeking Visa

Who it's for: Recent graduates of Korean universities or foreign professionals seeking employment in Korea.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or higher (from Korean or overseas institution)
• Proof of job-seeking activity (attending job fairs, interviews) for renewal
• Sufficient funds to support stay (varies, often ~27 million KRW/~$20,000 USD shown in bank statement)

Processing time: 1–2 weeks

Cost:

• ~120,000–200,000 KRW (~$90–150 USD), often issued for 6 months, renewable up to 2 years total

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Summary Notes

• Exchange rate used: ~1,330 KRW = $1 USD (fluctuates; verify current rate)
• Visa fees often vary by reciprocity agreements with the applicant's home country (some nationals pay more/less or are exempt)
• Processing times assume complete documentation; incomplete applications or additional background checks can extend timelines significantly
• Many visas (E-7, E-9, D-8, D-9) require employer or institutional sponsorship before individual application
• F-series visas (F-2, F-4, F-5, F-6) generally offer more flexibility (e.g., ability to change jobs, no employer sponsorship needed) compared to E-series and D-series
• Always confirm updated requirements via the official HiKorea website (www.hikorea.go.kr) or Korean Immigration Service Contact Center (1345), as of policies frequently change, especially regarding EPS quotas, F-2 points systems, and language requirements

More about immigrating to South Korea