Visas for South Korea

Visas and residence permits in South Korea follow a well-organised system that’s become easier to use with the introduction of digital applications. If you’re from the US, the UK, Australia, or most EU countries, you can stay for up to 90 days without a visa. Canadians enjoy an extended visa-free stay of 180 days, whilst some nationalities, like South Africans, receive 30 days.

South Korea introduced the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation) in 2021 for visa-exempt travellers. The requirement is currently suspended through December 2026, meaning you can enter without prior K-ETA registration, although you may still apply voluntarily for benefits like skipping the arrival card.

If you want to stay longer, study, or work in the country, you’ll need the appropriate visa. South Korea’s visa system groups visas alphabetically by purpose, from short-term tourist visits to permanent residence. Work-related visas are detailed separately, as the system offers several employment categories tailored to different professional fields.

Work Visas for South Korea

Shorter-term visas for South Korea

Tourist (B-2) visa

If you’re from a country without visa-free entry and want to travel to South Korea, you’ll need to secure a B-2 visa for South Korea. You’ll need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, two passport photos, a completed visa application form and the visa fee. Processing typically takes between five and 20 working days.

The tourist visa typically remains valid for up to 90 days. B-2 visas can be issued as single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry, and multiple-entry visas are typically valid for up to five years for eligible applicants. Extensions are rarely granted except in emergency circumstances that prevent your departure on time.

You cannot engage in any type of work whilst on this visa. 

Student (D-2) visa

Student visas for South Korea are available if you want to study at the tertiary level. You’ll need a letter of acceptance from a recognised Korean institution, certified copies of your degree and diploma certificates, proof of funds and some other supporting documentation.

Students on this visa must obtain permission from immigration before working part-time. Undergraduates may work up to 25 hours per week, whilst graduate students can work up to 35 hours per week.

The D-2 visa is typically valid for up to two years and can be renewed provided you maintain your student status and have your university’s support. You can apply for extensions from four months before your current visa expires.

Short-term business (C-3-4) visa

If you need to visit South Korea for business meetings, conferences, market research, or contract negotiations, you’ll probably get a C-3-4 visa. This visa does not permit paid employment or commercial profit-making activities within South Korea.

You’ll need an invitation letter from a Korean company, proof of your business relationship, and the Korean company’s business registration certificate issued within the previous three months.

The C-3-4 visa can be issued as single-entry (valid for three months), double-entry (valid for six months), or multiple-entry (valid for five years), with the duration of each stay typically up to 90 days. Processing usually takes around four working days.

Digital nomad (F-1-D) visa

South Korea launched the F-1-D Workation visa in 2024 for remote workers and digital nomads. To be eligible, you need to be at least 18 years old, have one year of work experience in your current industry, and work for a non-Korean company or operate an overseas business. There's an income threshold of twice South Korea’s GNI per capita, which you’ll need to prove through employment contracts or bank statements. You cannot work for Korean employers or engage in any local profit-making activities whilst on this visa.

The F-1-D visa is valid for one year with the possibility of a one-year extension, so a maximum stay of two years. You’ll need to apply through a Korean embassy or consulate in your home country, providing proof of employment, income documentation, health insurance coverage, and criminal background checks. Upon arrival, you must register for a residence card within 90 days at your local immigration office.

Family and dependant (F-3) visas

The F-3 dependant visa is available to spouses and unmarried children under 19 years of age. The F-3 visa duration typically matches the primary visa holder’s permit and must be renewed in line with the main visa, which generally needs to be a D- or E-type visa.

You’ll need to provide apostilled or legalised documents that prove your family relationship, such as marriage certificates or birth certificates, alongside proof of the primary holder’s visa status and employment. Dependants can not apply for F-3 visas after the primary holder has already entered Korea; applications must be submitted together, or the dependant must apply from their home country.

F-3 visa holders generally cannot work in South Korea without first obtaining separate work permission, but there are exceptions for some professional roles.

Permanent residence visas (F-5) in South Korea

You can apply for permanent residence in South Korea through several different pathways.

• High-value investors who have invested at least USD 500,000 in the country and hired at least five Korean workers qualify under the F-5-5 category.
• Alternatively, if you’ve lived in South Korea for five consecutive years on certain visa types (including D-series work visas, E-series professional visas, or F-2 residence visas), you may apply for F-5-1 general permanent residence.
• Foreigners with superior skills in fields such as science, business administration and education may also be considered for expedited permanent residence.

The documentation you’ll need varies depending on your pathway, but there are some basic requirements, like a passport valid for at least six months and a passport-sized colour photo taken recently. Investors under the F-5-5 category will need a certified copy of their corporation register and proof of having hired and paid at least five Korean employees. If you’re applying based on special skills or qualifications, you’ll need proof of your qualifications and letters of reference.

The F-5 visa has multiple subcategories with different requirements.

F-5-1 (General Permanent Residence) requires five years of residence and income at a specified threshold. Most F-5 applicants must complete Level 5 of the Social Integration Program (KIIP) or score at least 60 points on the comprehensive permanent residency test, but there are exemptions for PhD holders (F-5-15), spouses of Korean nationals (F-5-2), and high-value investors (F-5-5).

The F-2-7 points-based visa offers a faster pathway, allowing you to apply for F-5 after just three years if you score at least 80 points based on age, education, income, and Korean language ability.

Income requirements vary by category but generally require meeting or exceeding South Korea’s annual GNI per capita.

Residence cards in South Korea

A residence card in South Korea, formerly known as an alien registration card (ARC), is a post-arrival registration document you must obtain within 90 days if you’re staying longer than 90 days. This card is separate from your visa and is required to open a bank account, sign a lease, get a mobile phone contract and apply for a driver’s licence. You can obtain a residence card from your nearest immigration office.

You’ll need your employer’s business registration number (if applicable), passport photos, proof of residence, your passport and an application form, as well as the related fees. Further fees are required if you want to change from a single-entry visa to a multiple-entry visa. It’s also advisable to bring your criminal clearance certificate and academic credentials to the immigration offices, as the requirements differ between different kinds of visas.

Once you’ve completed the application form and handed it to the immigration official, your fingerprints will be taken. Processing typically takes three to five weeks. You’ll then be handed a receipt with the date your passport and residence card will be ready for collection.

Once you receive your residence card, you must report any address changes to immigration within 14 days of moving to avoid penalties. You can travel outside Korea while your residence card is being processed, provided your visa remains valid. You’ll need to book an appointment online to access the immigration office.

Starting in 2025, foreign residents can now obtain digital residence cards through the Mobile IDentification App, available for both iOS and Android devices. If you receive a physical card issued in 2025 or later, you can download the digital version by scanning the card’s chip with your smartphone. Cards issued before 2025 require a visit to an immigration office to obtain the digital version.

Useful links

• Korea Immigration Service
• Korea Visa Portal
• HiKorea – Immigration Contact Centre
• K-ETA Application

Visa regulations are subject to change at short notice, and you should contact your respective embassy or consulate for the latest details.