Korea C-3 Short-Stay Visa Subtypes — C-3-1 to C-3-9 Explained

C-3-1 is for foreign nationals visiting immediate family or close relatives in Korea.

Who qualifies: Foreign nationals whose parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts/uncles, or cousins are residing in Korea as Korean citizens, permanent residents, or long-term visa holders.

Stay duration: Up to 90 days. Not renewable in-country for family visit purposes.

Key documents: • Proof of relationship: family register (가족관계증명서) or birth certificate • Proof the Korean relative is legally residing in Korea: copy of their ARC or resident registration card • Invitation letter from the Korean relative (초청장) • The Korean relative's income certificate or bank statement

Note: C-3-1 is not the same as F-1 (family visit/activities), which covers longer-term stays.

C-3-2 is for foreigners attending international conferences, academic seminars, corporate meetings, cultural events, or sports competitions in Korea.

Common uses: • Attending an academic conference or trade show • Invited speakers or panelists at one-time events • Participating in an international sports competition

Key documents: • Official invitation from the organizing body (초청장 or 참가확인서) • Event registration or speaker confirmation • Proof of return travel

Important: C-3-2 does not permit conducting commercial transactions. If your primary purpose is signing contracts or closing deals, C-3-6 (business activities) is the correct subtype.

C-3-4 is for foreign nationals attending short-term training programs or internships at Korean companies or institutions.

Common uses: Corporate on-the-job training at a Korean company, short-term internship at a Korean university lab, professional development workshops.

Key documents: • Official training acceptance letter (연수확인서) • Training program schedule • Korean company's business registration certificate

Distinction: C-3-4 is for learning — not productive work output. If the trainee is doing actual productive work, D-3 or E-series may be more appropriate.

C-3-5 is the short-stay visa for foreign journalists, reporters, photographers, and film crews entering Korea for news gathering or documentary purposes.

Key documents: • Press credential from the media organization • Assignment letter from the editor or news director • For freelancers: commission letter + publication history

For long-term resident foreign correspondents stationed in Korea full-time, use D-5 (journalism) instead.

⚠️ C-3-6 (preferred company invitation short-term commercial) was officially terminated in June 2025 (선정 종료). It is no longer issued as a distinct subtype.

Foreign businesspeople who previously used C-3-6 should now use C-3-9 (general short stay) or C-3-2 (conference/meeting) as the appropriate subtype for short-term business trips to Korea. The underlying activity (attending business meetings, signing contracts, conducting market research) remains permitted on a short-stay basis — only the dedicated C-3-6 coding has been discontinued.

If you have an existing C-3-6 visa that has not expired, it remains valid until its expiry date. New applications should use the appropriate alternative subtype.

C-3-9 is the general tourism subtype — for nationals of countries not eligible for visa-exempt entry who wish to visit Korea for tourism.

Key documents: • Bank statement (guideline: ₩100,000–₩150,000 per day of stay) • Hotel booking or accommodation proof • Return flight booking • Employment certificate or proof of ties to home country

Multiple entry: After 2–3 approved single-entry visas with clean history, multiple-entry C-3-9 becomes available.