🇦🇫→🇰🇷Afghanistan→South Korea

90 dayssingle entry3-10d processingvalid 365d

Tourism, visiting family, short business, medical treatment, transit

Many nationalities are visa-exempt. Apply at a Korean embassy/consulate. Multiple-entry versions available. K-ETA electronic travel authorisation required for some nationalities.

multiple entry14-30d processingvalid 730d

Running an international-trade business, plant/equipment installation, or management activities in Korea

For sole traders/managers engaged in import-export, industrial-equipment installation and operation, or supervising business operations, who do not qualify under D-8. Period of stay up to 2 years, renewable.

90 dayssingle entry5-15d processingvalid 365d

Receiving medical treatment or recuperation in Korea, and accompanying carers

Short-term medical tourism uses the C-3-3 short-term visit sub-type (stay up to 90 days). Treatment requiring longer than 90 days uses the G-1-10 status, which can be extended for the duration of treatment. Accompanying family/carers may receive a matching visa.

multiple entry5-20d processing

Accompanying spouse and unmarried minor children of long-term (D-/E-series and most non-immigrant) visa holders

Granted to the dependent spouse and minor children of a principal visa holder (e.g. D-2, D-8, E-1 to E-7). Period of stay matches the principal's status. Employment is not permitted on F-3; the dependent must obtain their own work status to work.

multiple entry5-20d processingvalid 1095d

Foreign-national ethnic Koreans (former Korean nationals and their descendants)

For overseas Koreans (former ROK nationals and their descendants to a defined degree) as defined by the Overseas Koreans Act. Multiple-entry, valid up to 3 years and renewable, with broad (though not unlimited) work rights. Administered via visa.go.kr / HiKorea.

single entry14-30d processingvalid 1095d

Foreign spouse of a Korean national coming to reside in Korea

For the spouse of a Korean citizen (F-6-1), a parent raising a Korean citizen's child (F-6-2), or a spouse who lost marital status without fault (F-6-3). The initial single-entry 90-day visa is converted to a 1-3 year residence status after alien registration. Sponsor must meet minimum-income and the applicant basic Korean-language requirements. Grants unrestricted work; pathway to F-5 permanent residence.

multiple entry5-20d processingvalid 730d

Studying at a Korean university, college, or graduate school

Requires admission letter from a Korean institution. Can work up to 20 hours/week part-time.

multiple entry14-30d processing

On-site industrial/technical training at a Korean company for staff of an overseas affiliate or partner

For technical trainees dispatched to a Korean manufacturing/industrial facility, typically within a foreign-invested or affiliated company. Training-based; distinct from the D-4 general/language trainee status. Being progressively narrowed as employment routes expand.

multiple entry5-20d processingvalid 730d

Non-degree study such as Korean-language courses at university institutes, or professional/technical training

D-4-1 covers Korean-language training at a university-affiliated language institute; other sub-types cover trainees at companies or institutions. Distinct from the D-2 degree-seeking student visa. Part-time work allowed only with prior permission. Period of stay up to 2 years.

90 dayssingle entry5-15d processingvalid 90d

Short-term paid activities up to 90 days (e.g. temporary or one-off work, entertainers, models, advertising, short assignments)

For short-term profit-making activities not exceeding 90 days. Single entry; C-category holders cannot change to another sojourn status inside Korea. As of October 2025 the former C-4 seasonal agriculture/fishery sub-types were moved to the dedicated E-8 Seasonal Worker visa.

multiple entry14-30d processing

Non-profit academic, cultural, or artistic activity, including study or research of traditional Korean arts

For persons engaged in non-profit cultural or artistic activities, or studying/researching Korean arts under expert guidance. Not for paid performances, which use the E-6 Arts and Entertainment visa. Renewable.

180 dayssingle entry5-15d processingvalid 180d

Job-seeking or start-up preparation for qualified graduates and professionals

Points-based visa (D-10-1 job-seeking, D-10-2 start-up preparation) for those preparing to obtain a professional-employment (E-series) or start-up (D-8) status. Initial stay up to 6 months, extendable to a maximum of 2 years total. Permits internships and limited part-time activity.

multiple entry14-30d processing

Foreign correspondents and journalists posted to Korea for long-term news coverage

For staff of overseas media dispatched to a Korean branch/bureau or contracted correspondents. Renewable; assignment letter and press credentials required. Distinct from the C-1 short-term news-coverage status used for stays under 90 days.

multiple entry14-30d processing

Missionaries, clergy, and social workers dispatched by a recognised religious or affiliated social-welfare organisation

For religious/missionary work or affiliated social-welfare activities under an organisation recognised abroad and its Korean counterpart. Renewable; dispatch/recommendation documents required.

multiple entry14-30d processing

Staff of a foreign company transferred to its Korean branch, subsidiary, or affiliate

For essential professionals who have worked at least one year at the overseas headquarters or affiliate and are dispatched to the Korean entity (D-7-1 for-profit, D-7-2 public/non-profit). Renewable multi-year residence; employer sponsorship required.

multiple entry14-30d processingvalid 1825d

Teaching or research at a Korean university or institution of higher education

For professors, assistant professors, and equivalent teaching/research staff at accredited higher-education institutions. Maximum single period of stay up to 5 years. Employer sponsorship required; e-Visa available for eligible nationals.

multiple entry14-30d processing

Crew members on Korean-operated vessels (coastal/offshore fishing, cargo, cruise) under an employment contract

For seafarers employed on ships operated by a Korean shipping or fishing company under the Seafarers Act (E-10-1 fishing, E-10-2 cargo/passenger, E-10-3 cruise). Employer sponsorship required; renewable.

multiple entry14-30d processingvalid 730d

Teaching a foreign language (e.g. English conversation) at schools, universities, or accredited language institutes

Requires a bachelor's degree or higher and, for the E-2-1 sub-type, citizenship of a designated native-English-speaking country. Criminal background check and health/drug check required. Employer files a Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance via HiKorea. Period of stay up to 2 years, renewable.

multiple entry14-30d processing

Researchers invited by a public or private institution to conduct research in natural sciences or advanced technology

For researchers in science/engineering or high-tech fields at a government-approved institute, university, or corporate R&D centre. Host institution sponsorship required; renewable.

multiple entry14-30d processing

Specialists providing technical instruction or technology transfer under contract with a Korean organisation

For engineers/technicians supplying specialised technology or know-how not readily available domestically under a technology-introduction contract. Contract and employer sponsorship required; renewable.

multiple entry14-30d processing

Holders of a Korean national licence practising a licensed profession (e.g. lawyer, doctor, accountant, pilot, licensed engineer)

For foreign nationals authorised under Korean law to practise a licensed profession, employed under contract with a Korean organisation. Requires the relevant Korean qualification/licence; renewable.

multiple entry7-30d processingvalid 730d

Artists, musicians, professional athletes, models, and entertainers performing in Korea

Sub-types cover fine/performing arts (E-6-1), hotel/entertainment performers (E-6-2), and professional athletes/coaches (E-6-3). Contract and, for some sub-types, a performance recommendation certificate are required.

multiple entry14-60d processingvalid 1095d

Working in a specialised job at a Korean company (requires employer sponsorship)

Requires job offer from a Korean employer. Employer must file application on behalf of the employee. Points-based system for some categories.

150 dayssingle entry14-30d processing

Short-term seasonal labour in agriculture and fisheries arranged through Korean local governments

Introduced/expanded from October 2025, replacing the former C-4 seasonal sub-types. Recruited by Korean local governments via government-to-government MOUs or marriage-migrant referrals; individuals cannot apply directly. A single grant is up to 5 months and total stay cannot exceed 8 months. 2026 national quota 109,100. Sub-types: E-8-1/E-8-2 agriculture, E-8-3/E-8-4 fisheries.

1750 dayssingle entry30-90d processing

Low-skilled work in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, fishing, and services under the Employment Permit System (EPS)

Open only to nationals of the 16 EPS MOU partner countries; applicants must pass the EPS-TOPIK Korean-language test and be selected from the jobseeker roster. Employer- and sector-tied. Maximum stay 4 years 10 months. Administered by Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labor via eps.go.kr; 2026 quota 80,000.

multiple entry7-20d processingvalid 1095d

Visit plus designated employment for foreign-national ethnic Koreans from CIS and select countries

For overseas Koreans (aged 18+) from China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and other CIS states. Multiple-entry, valid up to ~3 years, allowing work in designated industries after jobseeker registration. Distinct from F-4, which covers a broader overseas-Korean group with fewer work restrictions.

multiple entry14-30d processingvalid 1825d

Foreign executives/investors establishing or managing a company in which they have invested in Korea

For essential professionals of a foreign-invested company (D-8-1) or founders of a venture/technology start-up (D-8-4). Minimum investment generally KRW 100 million (roughly USD 75,000) for D-8-1. Maximum single period of stay up to 5 years; renewable. Distinct from the immigrant-investor (F-2-8) residence-by-investment schemes tracked separately.

1095 daysmultiple entry10-30d processingvalid 1095donline

Remote working in South Korea for up to 3 years (piloted from January 2024; converted to a permanent program June 30, 2026)

Ministry of Justice made the 2024 pilot a permanent program effective June 30, 2026 (announced July 7, 2026): maximum stay extended from 2 to 3 years total (initial grant plus extension), and income thresholds were relaxed and tiered. Standard requirement is still 2x Korea's GNI per capita (~KRW 85-105 million/year depending on year), but applicants aged 18-34 working in non-capital-region or population-declining areas now qualify at just 1x GNI per capita. Cannot work for Korean employers; income must come from an existing foreign employer or the applicant's own overseas business. Dependents (spouse, unmarried minor children) may accompany the principal applicant.

365 daysmultiple entry5-30d processingvalid 365d

Holidaying and working in Korea (age 18-30, select nationalities)

Available for Australia, UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Canada, Japan, and others. Generally no fee or very low fee.