Korean Visa Guides
How-to Guides for Every Stage of Your Korean Visa Journey
Step-by-step guides written using official Korea Immigration Service documentation. From first application to permanent residency.
Applying
How to Get a Korean Marriage Visa (F-6)
Step-by-step guide to applying for the F-6 marriage visa for South Korea — eligibility, required documents, financial requirements, and interview tips.
How to Get a D-2 Student Visa for Korea
Complete guide to the Korean D-2 student visa — who qualifies, required documents, the application process, and what to do after arriving in Korea.
How to Get Korea's Digital Nomad Visa (F-1-D)
Step-by-step guide to Korea's digital nomad visa (F-1-D, 워케이션 비자) — eligibility, income requirements, health insurance, documents, and application process. Introduced May 2025.
How to Apply for the E-7 Visa in Korea
Complete guide to Korea's E-7 (Designated Activities) visa — who qualifies, what documents you need, how the employer sponsorship process works, and how long it takes.
How to Get a D-10 Job Seeker Visa After Graduating in Korea
Everything you need to know about the D-10 job seeker visa — who qualifies, how the points system works, what you can do while job searching, and how to transition to an E-7.
How to Apply for Korea's Working Holiday Visa (H-1)
Step-by-step guide to Korea's H-1 Working Holiday visa — eligible countries, age limits, quotas, how to apply, what work you can do, and how to extend for Canadian and UK citizens.
How to Get a Korean English Teacher Visa (E-2)
Complete guide to the E-2 conversation instructor visa for Korea — eligibility, required documents (criminal background check, health certificate), the CVI process, and public school vs. private academy differences.
How to Get the F-4 Overseas Korean Visa
Complete guide to the F-4 재외동포 visa — who qualifies, China/CIS special requirements, work restrictions, the 2-year renewable stay, and how to upgrade to F-5 permanent residency.
K-ETA Complete Guide: Korea Electronic Travel Authorization
Everything you need to know about K-ETA — who needs it, how to apply, how long it takes, common rejection reasons, and how to check your eligibility.
What to Do After a Korean Visa Rejection
Korean visa rejected? This guide explains why Korean visas get rejected, how to read the rejection notice, your appeal and reapplication options, and how to build a stronger case.
How to Get an H-2 Working Visit Visa (방문취업)
Complete guide to the H-2 Working Visit visa for ethnic Koreans from China and CIS countries — eligibility, documents, quota system, and how to find work in Korea.
How to Get an F-3 Dependent Companion Visa for Korea
Guide for spouses and children of F-4 and H-2 visa holders — how to apply for the F-3 dependent companion visa, required documents, and what you can do in Korea on F-3.
How to Get a D-4 Language Study Visa for Korea
Complete guide to the D-4 General Trainee / Language Study visa — who it is for, requirements, documents, how to apply, and the 2025 tightening rules.
D-8 Startup & Investment Visa Guide: OASIS and Corporate Investment
Step-by-step guide to the D-8 Corporate Investment visa and the D-8-4 OASIS startup track — eligibility, the points scoring system, and how to establish a business in Korea as a foreigner.
How to Get a D-7 Intracompany Transfer Visa for Korea
Step-by-step guide to the D-7 intracompany transfer visa — who qualifies, required documents, the role of your overseas company, and how long the process takes.
Korea Work Visa for IT Professionals & Software Engineers
Complete guide to getting a Korean work visa as an IT professional, software engineer, data scientist, or tech executive. Covers E-7, E-3, D-8-4, D-10, and F-2-7 routes with salary thresholds, occupation codes, and application steps.
Korea Work Visa for Nurses, Doctors & Healthcare Workers
Complete guide to Korean work visas for healthcare professionals — nurses, doctors, pharmacists, physical therapists, caregivers, and dental professionals. Covers E-5, E-7, E-3, and caregiver pathways with licensing requirements.
How to Apostille Documents for a Korean Visa Application
Step-by-step guide to apostilling degree certificates, background checks, and other documents for Korean visa applications. Covers the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Philippines, India, and non-Hague countries.
Korea's Regional Visa Pilot Program (광역형 비자 시범사업) Explained
What is Korea's 광역형 비자 (broad regional visa) pilot? Learn how this 2025 KIS initiative links select university programs to visa benefits, which schools participate, and how students and graduates can benefit.
D-10-T Top Talent Visa Korea — What It Is and How to Qualify
Complete guide to Korea's D-10-T Top Talent visa track, added April 2025. Eligibility criteria, how D-10-T differs from standard D-10, application steps, and path to E-7.
Switching Visa Types
How to Switch Visa Types in Korea
Step-by-step guide to changing your visa status inside South Korea — requirements, documents, timeline, and common mistakes to avoid.
How to Transition from D-2 Student Visa to E-7 Work Visa in Korea
Complete guide to switching from a D-2 university student visa to an E-7 skilled worker visa after graduation — eligibility, timeline, documents, and common pitfalls.
Renewing
How to Renew Your E-7 Visa in Korea
Complete guide to renewing your E-7 Specially Designated Activities visa in South Korea — documents, timeline, employer requirements, and extension limits.
How to Extend Your Visa in Korea
Complete guide to extending your Korean visa stay — when to apply, which documents you need, how to book the immigration appointment, and what happens if you overstay.
E-2 Visa: Changing Employers and What to Do When Your Contract Ends
Guide for E-2 English teacher visa holders on changing schools, ending a contract early, what happens to your visa, and how to stay legal in Korea.
Upgrading to Long-Term Residency
How to Get Permanent Residency in Korea (F-5 Visa)
Detailed guide to applying for the F-5 permanent residency visa in South Korea — eligibility routes, points system, documents, and tips for a successful application.
Understanding the Korean Points-Based F-2 Visa
How the Korean F-2 long-term residency points system works — scoring criteria, minimum score, how to maximize your points, and how F-2 leads to permanent residency.
How to Get Korean Permanent Residency (F-5)
Complete guide to F-5 영주 permanent residency in Korea — all pathways (5-year general, F-6 marriage, F-2-7 points, F-4 overseas Korean, investment, exceptional talent), income requirements, TOPIK/KIIP, and the application process.
How to Transition from E-9 to E-7-4 Skilled Worker Status
Step-by-step guide to converting from E-9 (non-professional employment) to E-7-4 (K-Point skilled workforce) in Korea — the 300-point scoring system, employer recommendation, HiKorea application, and the 2026 quota of 33,000.
F-5 Permanent Residency in Korea: All 27 Pathways Explained
Complete comparison of every F-5 permanent residency pathway in Korea — F-5-1 through F-5-27, who qualifies for each, and which path is fastest for your situation.
F-2-99 Long-Term Residency in Korea — Who Qualifies and How to Apply
Complete guide to F-2-99 (기타 장기체류) long-term residency in Korea. Eligibility after 5 years, income and asset requirements, Korean language test, and the 2025 rule allowing spouses and children to apply independently.
Living in Korea
Living in Korea: Health Insurance, Tax, and Banking for Visa Holders
Practical guide for foreign visa holders in Korea — how to enroll in national health insurance (건강보험), file your income tax, open a bank account, and understand your rights as a registered foreigner.
How to Get an Alien Registration Card (ARC) in Korea
Complete guide to the Korean Alien Registration Card (ARC) — who needs it, how to apply, required documents, and how to update or replace it.
KIIP Program Complete Guide: Korea Immigration and Integration Program
Everything about KIIP — what it is, why it matters for F-2 and F-5 applications, how to register, what to expect at each level, and how to fit it around work.
How to Use HiKorea: Korea's Online Immigration Portal
Step-by-step guide to HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) — how to register, renew your visa online, update your address, check status, and what to do when it doesn't work.
How to Book a Korean Immigration Office Appointment
How to book an appointment at a Korean immigration office — online via HiKorea, by phone, or in person — and tips for getting the date you need.
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