How to Get the F-4 Overseas Korean Visa

F-4 eligibility is defined by the Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans (재외동포의 출입국과 법적 지위에 관한 법률). There are two main categories:

Category 1 — Former Korean nationals: Persons who once held Korean citizenship and voluntarily acquired foreign citizenship (귀화 또는 국적변경). This includes people who emigrated to the US, Canada, Australia, or other countries and naturalised there.

Category 2 — Direct descendants: Persons who were born to a parent or grandparent who held Korean nationality at the time of their birth. This captures the children and grandchildren of Koreans who emigrated before acquiring foreign citizenship (for example, ethnic Koreans born in China or the former Soviet Union).

Note: F-4 is specifically for ethnic Koreans with foreign citizenship. Korean nationals (dual citizens who have already registered their Korean identity) are not issued F-4 — they enter on their Korean passport.

For ethnic Koreans from China (조선족) and the 21 post-Soviet/CIS countries (고려인), the F-4 application process is more restrictive. KIS uses the F-4 for this group as a pathway away from unskilled labour, so eligibility requires demonstrating that you are unlikely to do simple manual work. You must generally meet one or more of the following:

• University graduate: Domestic or foreign bachelor's degree or higher
• Corporate representative: Representative of a registered Korean or foreign corporation
• National technical qualification holder: Holder of a Korean or foreign government-issued technical qualification in a designated field (see Ministry of Justice attached list 8 for qualifying vocations)
• Age 60 or older
• KIIP Stage 4 or higher completion (사회통합프로그램 4단계 이상)
• Korean high school or university graduate (while residing in Korea)
• Care worker (요양보호사) qualification holder
• Other criteria periodically expanded by KIS

For these applicants, the Chinese or CIS-issued documents confirming Korean ethnicity (호구부 — household registration — and birth certificate) must be original and translated into Korean. KIS requires notarisation or official confirmation through the relevant embassy.

allows broad employment freedom in Korea — holders can work in almost any field without a separate work permit. However, there is one absolute restriction: 단순노무 (simple/unskilled labour) is prohibited in ALL industries.

This means holders cannot legally work as: factory floor workers, construction day labourers, restaurant kitchen helpers (dish washers, delivery riders in unskilled roles), cleaning staff, and similar roles that are categorised as unskilled under the Korean Standard Occupational Classification.

When applying for , applicants must sign a non-employment pledge (비취업 서약서) specifically for the restricted occupations listed in Ministry of Justice Notice 2023-187. Violations result in visa cancellation.

Outside of simple labour, holders can: be employed as white-collar professionals, run businesses, invest, freelance, and engage in the vast majority of legal economic activities.

An visa is typically issued as a 2-year multiple-entry visa. After arriving, register your foreign residency (국내거소신고) at the local immigration office within 90 days. Once registered:

• Stay period: Initially granted for 2 years (24 months)
• Extension: Renewable in 2-year increments at your local immigration office indefinitely, as long as you continue to meet eligibility conditions
• Entry/exit: Multiple-entry — you can leave and re-enter Korea freely within the visa validity period
• Family members: Your spouse and minor children can obtain or (companion) status for 1-year single-entry or matching F-4 duration, depending on their own eligibility

From abroad (applying at a Korean embassy or consulate):

1. Gather your documents (see below)
2. Submit at any Korean diplomatic post (preferred: your country of citizenship or residency)
3. Korean consular staff assess eligibility and issue the visa

From inside Korea (change of status or re-application):

• If already in Korea on another visa, apply at the local immigration office for a change of status to

Key documents:

• Visa application form + passport + photo
• Document proving Korean ethnicity: Korean family register excerpt (가족관계증명서), old Korean nationality document, or foreign-issued document proving Korean descent (호구부, birth certificate, etc.) — must be officially translated and notarised
• For China/CIS applicants: additional documents proving eligibility category (degree certificate, technical qualification certificate, etc.)
• For family members of holders: copy of the F-4 holder's domestic residency registration (국내거소신고증)

After holding status for 5 consecutive years in Korea, you can apply for (영주, permanent residency) under the overseas Korean pathway. Requirements:

1. 5 years continuous legal stay in Korea on (or combined with another qualifying status)
2. Basic Korean language ability — TOPIK Level 1 or higher, or KIIP Stage 1+ completion, or equivalent
3. Financial self-sufficiency — annual income and assets meeting the current threshold (roughly ₩20M/year income and ₩30M in assets, updated periodically)
4. Good conduct — no major immigration violations, no serious criminal record

grants indefinite right of residence. Unlike , it does not require periodic renewal — once granted, it is permanent unless voluntarily surrendered or revoked for serious violations.