G-1 Humanitarian Visa Korea — Asylum, Medical Stay, Domestic Violence & All Subtypes

G-1 is Korea's protective and transitional status, granted when: • A foreign national's life, safety, or legal rights require temporary stay in Korea • A foreign national is engaged in ongoing legal or administrative proceedings • A foreign national needs ongoing medical treatment that cannot be interrupted • A foreign national falls into a specific protected category

G-1 is NOT: • A pathway to permanent residency in normal circumstances • An open work status (most subtypes have work restrictions) • Available on demand — G-1 is assigned by immigration officers or applied for with specific documentation

The official G-1 subtype numbers per the 2026 Foreign Resident Stay Manual (외국인체류 안내 매뉴얼):

G-1-1: Industrial accident (산업재해) • For foreign workers who suffered a workplace accident and are receiving treatment or in compensation proceedings • Duration: Duration of treatment and proceedings • Work: Generally authorized at the same workplace after medical clearance

G-1-2: Illness or accident treatment (질병/사고 치료) • For foreign nationals receiving medical treatment for illness or accident in Korea where departure would endanger health or interrupt treatment • Requires hospital documentation (진단서 + 의사소견서) • Work: Not authorized

G-1-3: Ongoing litigation (소송 진행 중) • For foreign nationals who are a party, victim, or key witness in ongoing criminal or civil proceedings in Korea • Duration: Duration of the proceedings • Contact: Your attorney or the nearest legal aid center

G-1-4: Wage theft and labor dispute (임금체불/노동관계 분쟁) • For foreign workers pursuing unpaid wage claims or labor rights disputes through the Ministry of Employment and Labor or courts • Work authorization may be granted to cover living expenses during proceedings • Contact: 1350 (Ministry of Employment and Labor hotline)

G-1-5: Refugee status applicant (난민신청자) • For foreign nationals who formally applied for refugee status under the Refugee Act (난민법) • Duration: 6 months, renewable while application is pending • Work: Available after 6 months if the application is still undecided • Apply at immigration office within 1 year of entry

G-1-6: Humanitarian stay permit (인도적 체류허가) • For foreign nationals not qualifying for full refugee status but facing serious humanitarian risks if deported • Often granted to asylum seekers from active conflict zones • Duration: 1 year, renewable. Work: Requires separate application.

G-1-8: Long-stay children (장기체류 아동) • For foreign children who have lived in Korea for an extended period and have no other qualifying status • Covers children who grew up in Korea and are enrolled in Korean schools

G-1-9: Pregnancy and childbirth (임신·출산) • For foreign nationals in Korea who are pregnant or have recently given birth and whose visa would otherwise expire • Duration: Until mother and child are in stable condition for travel • Work: Generally not authorized

G-1-10: Foreign patient (외국인 환자) • For foreign nationals on short-stay visas who are receiving inpatient treatment and cannot depart • Distinct from C-3-3 medical tourism (which is a pre-planned entry) — G-1-10 is for unexpected medical needs • Requires hospital documentation confirming ongoing treatment necessity

G-1-11: Sexual violence victim (성폭력 피해자) • For foreign nationals who are victims of sexual violence in Korea, during proceedings and recovery • Contact: 117 (trafficking/violence hotline), 1366 (domestic violence/sexual violence hotline)

G-1-12: Family of humanitarian permit holder (인도적 체류허가자 가족) • For the immediate family of G-1-6 (humanitarian stay permit) holders • Duration: Tied to the primary G-1-6 holder's permit

G-1-99: Other humanitarian circumstances • Catch-all for exceptional cases not covered by G-1-1 through G-1-12 — assessed individually by the immigration officer

To apply for work authorization on G-1, submit a 취업활동허가 (permission to engage in employment) application at the immigration office with supporting documentation.

G-1 cannot be 'applied for' like a regular visa — it is assigned in response to a specific circumstance:

Industrial accident (G-1-1): Report the workplace accident to the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service (근로복지공단). They coordinate with immigration to issue G-1-1 while the compensation process runs.

Refugee applicant (G-1-5): Go to an immigration office (or port of entry) and formally request refugee status. You will receive G-1-5 while the application is reviewed.

Labor/wage dispute (G-1-4): File a wage theft complaint with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (1350) before your visa expires, then visit immigration with proof of the pending claim.

Medical stay (G-1-2 or G-1-10): Have your Korean hospital provide a medical necessity letter. Submit to immigration before your current visa expires.

Sexual violence victim (G-1-11): Contact 117 or 1366. Protection triggers on identification — immigration enforcement is suspended while you receive support.