The D-6 visa is issued to foreign nationals who come to Korea for religious activities — including missionaries, ordained clergy, monks, nuns, and religious educators — under the sponsorship of a legally recognized Korean religious organization.
D-6 is for foreign nationals engaged in:
• Mission work (선교활동): Ordained or commissioned missionaries under a Korean church or denomination
• Clergy duties (성직활동): Pastors, priests, rabbis, imams, monks, nuns conducting regular religious services
• Religious education (종교교육): Teaching theology or faith-based education at a recognized religious institution
• Religious organization administration: Senior administrative staff of a recognized Korean religious body
Not eligible for D-6:
• Laypersons volunteering at a church without a formal religious worker role
• English teachers at a church school (need E-2)
• Humanitarian aid workers (need G-1 or E-7 depending on role)
The sponsoring Korean organization must be registered with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) under the Religious Corporation Act.
Recognized categories: Christian denominations, Buddhist orders, Won Buddhism, Confucian organizations, Cheondogyo, Islam (Korea Muslim Federation), other MOC-registered bodies.
Key documents:
• Proof of ordination or commissioning (목사안수증, 신부서품증, 선교사파송장)
• Sponsorship letter from the Korean religious organization with MCST registration number
Get the sponsoring organization's MCST registration number before starting your application.
If your organization pays a stipend, document it clearly as a 'living allowance from a religious organization' rather than 'salary.'
Need help with this?
Our specialists handle d-6 religious worker visa korea — missionary, clergy & religious organization requirements cases regularly and know exactly what Korean immigration officers look for.
Can I teach English at a church school on D-6?
No. Teaching English at a church school is employment, not a religious activity — even if the school has a religious affiliation. You need E-2 or another qualifying work visa.
• Academic credentials (theology degree, seminary certificate)
• Criminal background check (apostilled)
Duration: 1 year, renewable annually. ARC required if staying more than 90 days.
• D-6 authorizes religious activities only — side work is not permitted without separate authorization
• If you move to a different church or denomination, report the change to immigration
• Foreign ordination documents must be apostilled or consularly authenticated and translated into Korean