Overview
Korean visas are classified by letter and number. Each letter group serves a different purpose. Here is a practical guide to the most common types.
C Series — Short-Term Visits
- C-3 — Short-term general (tourism, visits). Stay up to 90 days.
- C-4 — Short-term employment. Allows temporary paid work.
D Series — Long-Term Non-Employment
- D-2 — Student visa. For enrolled university students.
- D-4 — General training. Language school students and trainees.
- D-7 — Intra-company transfer. Employees transferred from an overseas branch.
- D-8 — Corporate investment. Foreign investors and startup founders.
- D-10 — Job seeker visa. For graduates of Korean universities seeking employment.
D-2 and D-4 holders can work part-time with permission from immigration (up to 20 hours per week during semesters).
E Series — Employment
- E-1 — University professor
- E-2 — Foreign language instructor (English teachers, etc.)
- E-3 — Research
- E-4 — Technology transfer
- E-5 — Professional employment
- E-6 — Arts and performances
- E-7 — Special occupation (skilled professionals)
- E-9 — Non-professional employment (factory, agriculture, fishing)
F Series — Residency
- F-1 — Family visitation
- F-2 — Long-term resident. Point-based system or special criteria. No employment restrictions.
- F-3 — Dependent family. Spouse/children of D or E visa holders.
- F-4 — Overseas Korean. May not do simple labor (except manufacturing).
- F-5 — Permanent resident. No restrictions on stay or employment.
- F-6 — Foreign spouse of a Korean citizen. No employment restrictions.
F-2, F-5, and F-6 holders can work in any job without additional permission. F-3 holders cannot work unless they receive separate employment permission.
H Series — Working Holidays & Visits
- H-1 — Working holiday. For young adults from countries with bilateral agreements.
- H-2 — Working visit. For overseas Koreans (ethnic Koreans with foreign citizenship).
Useful Links
Visa portal: www.visa.go.kr
Immigration services: www.hikorea.go.kr
Phone: 1345 (multilingual)
Visa policies change frequently. Always confirm requirements at the nearest Korean embassy or www.hikorea.go.kr before applying.