Glossary
Korea Visa Glossary
Plain-English definitions for Korea visa terms, immigration documents, and sojourn status concepts — written for foreigners navigating the Korean immigration system.
Korean immigration paperwork comes with its own vocabulary. Terms like 체류자격, 사증발급인정서, and 소재지 변경 appear on official forms without translation, and misunderstanding even one can delay or void an application. This glossary translates the concepts that matter most — not just the words, but what each term means for your visa status and what you need to do about it.
The 24 entries below span seven areas: the visa application process, immigration documents, work visa categories, study and integration requirements, long-term residency pathways, short-stay and entry rules, and the Korean government bodies that issue and enforce them. Each entry includes a plain-English definition, a "why it matters" explanation, and links to the relevant visa types where the term applies.
All definitions are sourced from official Korean government portals — the Korea Immigration Service (hi.immi.go.kr), Ministry of Justice (moj.go.kr), and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mofa.go.kr) — and reviewed quarterly for regulatory changes.
Visa Process(7)
Alien Registration Card (ARC)
The Alien Registration Card (ARC) is the official ID card issued to foreigners staying in South Korea for 91 days or longer. It is required to open a bank account, sign a phone contract, and access most public services.
HiKorea
How to use HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) — Korea's official immigration portal for visa extensions, status changes, and ARC renewal. Processing time: 3-10 business days.
Visa Extension (Stay Period Extension)
A visa extension — officially called a 'stay period extension' (체류기간 연장) in Korean immigration law — allows a foreigner to legally remain in Korea beyond the expiry date on their current visa or ARC without leaving the country.
Status of Sojourn Change (체류자격 변경)
A status of sojourn change allows a foreigner already in South Korea to switch from one visa category to another without leaving the country — for example, from a D-2 student visa to an E-7 skilled worker visa upon graduation and employment.
Sojourn Period (체류기간)
The sojourn period is the length of time a foreigner is authorized to remain in South Korea under a given visa status. It is stamped in your passport at entry and printed on your ARC, and it must not be exceeded without an extension.
Re-entry Permit
A re-entry permit allows a foreigner with an ARC to leave South Korea temporarily and return without losing their sojourn status. Without one, leaving Korea can terminate your current visa status and require reapplication from abroad.
Visa Issuance Number (사증발급인정번호)
A Visa Issuance Number (VIN) is an authorization code issued by a Korean embassy or immigration office that allows a foreign national to obtain a Korean visa from a consulate abroad. It is used when the applicant cannot apply at a consulate in their home country.
Immigration Documents(5)
Apostille
An Apostille is a standardized certification attached to a public document (such as a criminal background check, birth certificate, or diploma) that verifies the document's authenticity for use in foreign countries — including Korea.
Criminal Background Check
A criminal background check is an official government-issued document verifying that the applicant has no criminal record. It is required for most Korean work visas (especially E-2 English teaching visas) and must typically be Apostilled.
Certificate of Employment (재직증명서)
A Certificate of Employment is an official letter from your employer confirming your current employment status, job title, salary, and period of employment. It is one of the most commonly required documents in Korean visa and ARC applications.
Medical Certificate / Health Check (건강진단서)
A medical certificate or health check result is a doctor-issued document confirming the applicant is free from certain communicable diseases. It is required for some Korean visa categories, particularly long-term work visas and E-9 (non-professional employment) applicants.
Standard Labor Contract (표준근로계약서)
A Standard Labor Contract is the official Korean Ministry of Employment and Labor template for employment agreements with foreign workers. It must be used for E-9 (EPS) hires and is strongly recommended for E-2 English teachers to protect both parties.
Work Visas(2)
Sponsoring Employer
A sponsoring employer is a Korean company or organization that formally supports a foreign worker's visa application, accepts legal responsibility for the employee's immigration compliance, and typically applies for the Visa Issuance Number on the worker's behalf.
Points-Based System (거주(F-2) 점수제 / E-7 점수제)
Korea's points-based system awards immigration points for factors like age, education, Korean language proficiency, income, and Korean social integration to determine eligibility for the F-2-7 Long-Term Residency visa — a major stepping stone toward permanent residency.
Study & Integration(2)
TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean)
TOPIK (한국어능력시험) is the official Korean language proficiency test, used by Korean universities for admission, by employers for hiring, and by the immigration authorities to assess Korean language ability for points-based visa applications.
KIIP (Korea Immigration and Integration Program)
KIIP (사회통합프로그램) is Korea's government-run immigrant integration program offering free Korean language and social studies classes. Completing KIIP earns bonus points in the F-2-7 residency points system and is mandatory for some visa renewals and F-5 applications.
Long-Term Residency(2)
F-5 Permanent Residency (영주자격)
The F-5 visa grants permanent residency in South Korea — the right to live and work in Korea indefinitely without an employer sponsor, without periodic renewals, and without most of the restrictions that apply to regular work visas.
Marriage Migrant (F-6 Visa)
The F-6 visa is issued to foreign nationals who are legally married to a South Korean citizen. It allows the foreign spouse to live and work in Korea without an employer sponsor and is one of the most common pathways to long-term residency and eventually F-5 permanent residency.
Short-Stay & Entry(3)
K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)
K-ETA (한국 전자여행허가) is an electronic travel authorization required for visa-exempt nationals before traveling to South Korea. It is not a visa but an electronic pre-screening required for citizens of about 100 countries.
Visa-Free Entry (무비자 입국)
Visa-free entry (무비자 입국) allows citizens of specific countries to enter South Korea for short-term tourism, business, or transit without obtaining a visa in advance. The allowed stay duration varies by country, typically between 30 and 90 days.
Visa on Arrival (도착비자)
A Visa on Arrival (도착비자) allows eligible foreign nationals to obtain a short-stay Korean visa at the airport upon landing, without having applied in advance at a consulate. It is available to a limited number of nationalities under specific conditions.
Government Bodies(2)
Ministry of Justice (법무부, MOJ)
The Ministry of Justice (법무부) is the Korean government body responsible for immigration policy, visa issuance decisions, and enforcement. The Korea Immigration Service (KIS) operates under the MOJ and handles most day-to-day immigration matters for foreigners.
Korea Immigration Service (출입국·외국인정책본부, KIS)
The Korea Immigration Service (KIS) is the operational immigration agency under Korea's Ministry of Justice. It manages ARC registration, visa extensions and changes, enforcement, and operates the HiKorea online portal.