Planning to visit, work, study, or live in South Korea? The visa you need depends on the purpose of your stay, your nationality, and the activities you plan to undertake while in Korea.
Below is an overview of the main South Korean visa categories, from tourism and business visits to employment, modeling, study, investment, and permanent residence.
Important: Visa requirements, eligibility, permitted activities, and length of stay can vary by nationality and individual circumstances. Always check the latest requirements with the official Korean immigration or visa authorities before applying.
Short-Term Visit & Tourism Visas
C-3-1 — Short-Term General Visit
For short-term visits such as visiting family or friends, attending certain events, or other temporary visits that don't fall under a more specific category.
C-3-2 — Group Tourism
For travelers visiting South Korea as part of an organized group tour.
C-3-3 — Medical Tourism
For people traveling to South Korea to receive medical treatment, as well as certain accompanying family members.
C-3-4 — Short-Term Business
For short-term business activities such as business meetings, negotiations, market research, conferences, or other permitted business-related activities.
C-3-9 — Ordinary Tourism
For general tourism and sightseeing in South Korea.
Examples:
- Holidays and sightseeing
- Visiting Seoul, Busan, Jeju, Gyeongju and other destinations
- Cultural experiences
- Visiting friends, where permitted under the applicable category
Note: A tourist visa does not generally authorize you to take paid employment in Korea.
Work & Employment Visas
South Korea has several employment-related visa categories depending on your profession, qualifications, employer, and type of work.
C-4 — Short-Term Employment
For certain short-term paid activities in Korea. This can apply to specific short-term professional, technical, performance, or other employment activities, depending on the circumstances.
E-1 — Professor
For qualified foreign professors teaching at eligible Korean universities or higher-education institutions.
E-2 — Foreign Language Instructor
For qualified foreign-language teachers working at eligible educational institutions.
Examples:
- English teachers
- Other foreign-language instructors
E-3 — Researcher
For qualified foreign researchers working in eligible research positions.
E-4 — Technical Instructor / Technician
For individuals providing specialized technical instruction or technical expertise in Korea.
E-5 — Professional
For certain foreign professionals working in occupations that require professional qualifications recognized under Korean immigration regulations.
E-6 — Arts, Entertainment & Sports
For foreign nationals working in eligible entertainment, artistic, cultural, modeling, or sports activities.
Examples may include:
- Models
- Performers
- Actors and entertainers
- Musicians
- Artists
- Professional athletes
- Other eligible entertainment professionals
The exact requirements and subcategory depend on the type of work, contract, employer or sponsoring organization, and the applicant's circumstances.
E-7 — Specially Designated Activities
For foreign professionals and skilled workers employed in occupations designated by the Korean government. This category covers a wide range of professional and specialized occupations and may require specific educational qualifications, professional experience, salary requirements, and an eligible Korean employer.
E-8 — Seasonal Worker
For eligible foreign workers participating in approved seasonal employment programs in Korea.
E-9 — Non-Professional Employment
For eligible foreign workers employed in designated non-professional sectors under Korea's employment permit system.
E-10 — Maritime Crew
For eligible foreign nationals working as crew members in designated maritime occupations.
Business & Investment Visas
D-7 — Intra-Company Transfer
For employees transferred to Korea by an overseas company, organization, or related entity for eligible activities.
Examples:
- Employees transferred to a Korean branch
- Employees assigned to a Korean subsidiary
- Specialized personnel sent to Korea by an overseas company
D-8 — Business Investment
For eligible foreign investors, entrepreneurs, and individuals involved in foreign-invested businesses in Korea. This can include certain investors establishing or investing in a Korean company.
D-9 — International Trade
For eligible individuals involved in international trade, business management, or certain trading activities in Korea.
Study & Training Visas
D-2 — Student
For international students studying at eligible Korean universities and higher-education institutions.
Examples:
- Bachelor's degree programs
- Master's programs
- Doctoral programs
- Exchange programs
- Other eligible university-level studies
D-3 — Industrial Trainee
For eligible industrial training programs.
D-4 — General Training
For certain training and educational programs that do not fall under the D-2 category.
Examples:
- Korean language programs
- Certain vocational or educational training
- Other approved training programs
Job-Seeking Visa
D-10 — Job Seeker
For eligible foreign nationals seeking employment or participating in certain professional activities in Korea. This category can be relevant to individuals who want to remain in Korea while looking for qualifying employment or preparing for certain professional activities. Eligibility and permitted activities depend on the specific D-10 subcategory and the applicant's qualifications.
Cultural, Religious & Media Visas
D-1 — Cultural / Artistic Activities
For eligible individuals participating in approved cultural or artistic activities.
D-5 — Journalism
For foreign journalists and eligible media professionals reporting from South Korea.
D-6 — Religious Activities
For eligible individuals carrying out approved religious activities in Korea.
Family & Residence Visas
F-1 — Family / Household-Related Residence
For certain family members and individuals eligible for specific long-term residence arrangements.
F-2 — Long-Term Resident
For eligible foreign nationals who qualify for long-term residence in Korea under the relevant immigration rules.
F-3 — Dependent Family
For eligible dependents of certain foreign residents holding qualifying visas.
F-4 — Overseas Korean
For eligible people of Korean heritage who qualify under Korea's Overseas Korean status.
F-5 — Permanent Resident
For eligible foreign nationals who qualify for permanent residence in South Korea. Permanent residence can provide a much more stable long-term status, but eligibility requirements vary depending on the applicant's circumstances and previous immigration status.
F-6 — Marriage Migrant
For eligible foreign spouses of Korean citizens. This visa is commonly associated with international marriages where the foreign spouse intends to reside in South Korea.
Humanitarian & Special Status
G-1 — Miscellaneous / Humanitarian Status
For certain foreign nationals who need to remain in Korea for specific humanitarian, legal, medical, or other circumstances recognized by Korean immigration authorities. The exact eligibility and permitted activities depend on the individual case.
Working Holiday
H-1 — Working Holiday
For eligible young travelers from countries or regions that have a working-holiday agreement with South Korea. The Working Holiday visa is designed primarily for travel and cultural exchange while allowing eligible participants to undertake permitted temporary work during their stay.
Important: Eligibility, age limits, nationality requirements, quotas, and work restrictions vary by agreement.
Work & Visit
H-2 — Work and Visit
For eligible overseas Koreans from designated countries who qualify under Korea's Work and Visit system. Eligibility is nationality- and status-dependent, and the program has specific employment restrictions and requirements.
Which Korean Visa Do You Need?
Your visa category depends primarily on what you plan to do in South Korea.
| Your purpose | Possible visa category |
|---|---|
| Tourism / sightseeing | C-3-9 |
| Visiting family or friends | C-3-1 |
| Group tour | C-3-2 |
| Medical treatment | C-3-3 |
| Business meetings / short business trip | C-3-4 |
| Short-term paid work | C-4 |
| Modeling / entertainment | E-6 |
| Professional employment | E-7 |
| Teaching a foreign language | E-2 |
| University studies | D-2 |
| Korean language study | D-4 |
| Job seeking | D-10 |
| Intra-company transfer | D-7 |
| Starting / investing in a business | D-8 |
| International trade | D-9 |
| Professor | E-1 |
| Researcher | E-3 |
| Professional occupation | E-5 |
| Seasonal work | E-8 |
| Non-professional employment | E-9 |
| Maritime crew | E-10 |
| Working Holiday | H-1 |
| Overseas Korean | F-4 |
| Permanent residence | F-5 |
| Marriage to a Korean citizen | F-6 |
Before You Apply
The visa category you choose should accurately reflect the actual purpose of your stay in South Korea.
For example, someone entering Korea as a tourist generally cannot simply begin working as a model, teacher, entertainer, or other paid professional. Work activities normally require an appropriate status that specifically permits that activity.
Visa requirements can include:
- Valid passport
- Visa application
- Passport photographs
- Proof of financial ability
- Proof of accommodation
- Travel itinerary
- Invitation or sponsorship documents
- Employment contract
- Educational or professional qualifications
- Criminal background documents, where applicable
- Medical documentation, where applicable
- Company or business documents, where applicable
The documents required depend on the visa category and the applicant's nationality.
Important Disclaimer
This guide is intended as a general overview and is not legal or immigration advice. South Korean immigration rules can change, and additional requirements may apply depending on your nationality, occupation, sponsor, employer, education, financial situation, and intended length of stay.
Before submitting an application, confirm the current requirements with the Korean immigration authorities, the Korea Visa Portal, or the Korean embassy/consulate responsible for your place of application.
Where to check the details
This page is an overview to help you narrow down which category applies to you — it isn't a substitute for the official rules. For the latest requirements, eligibility, and to apply, go to the Korea Immigration Service — Korea's official immigration authority — or the official K-ETA site if you're just visiting short-term and only need electronic travel authorization rather than a full visa.