A-1 (Diplomatic) Korea Visa Guide | 2026

1. What A-1 Is

A-1 (외교/Diplomatic) is issued to members of a foreign government's diplomatic mission or consular office accredited to Korea (ambassadors, ministers, counsellors, secretaries; consuls-general and consuls performing consular duties), to anyone else who by treaty or international custom receives privileges and immunities equivalent to a diplomat (e.g. UN Secretary-General/Deputy Secretary-General, heads of specialized UN agencies, heads of state, cabinet ministers, and delegation members attending government-hosted conferences), and to their accompanying family. It also covers staff of international organizations based in Korea whose treaty explicitly grants diplomatic-level privileges, and their accompanying family. Stay period is tied to the person's term of posting (재임기간).

2. Eligibility Checklist

• Applicant category fits current A-1 diplomatic eligibility scope.
• Official diplomatic channel and accreditation documentation is complete.
• Assignment/mission evidence is valid for intended stay period.
• Family linkage documents are provided where accompanying dependents apply.
• No unresolved identity/document inconsistencies affecting official verification.

3. Criteria Summary

• A-1 is not a points-based category.
• Review is accreditation- and official-channel-document driven.
• Operational handling follows diplomatic procedures, not standard public visa routing.
• Always coordinate through the correct official channel.

4. Salary and Contract Rules

• A-1 does not use ordinary work visa salary-threshold logic.
• Official assignment and status recognition documents are the key basis.
• Fee and procedural handling may differ from standard categories.
• Misclassification into public visa channels can delay processing.

5. Employer and Workplace Change Rules

• A-1 is mission/assignment based via diplomatic channels.
• Role or assignment changes should be handled through proper official reporting.
• General workplace change concepts for public work visas do not directly apply.
• Documentation continuity across mission records is essential.

6. Required Documents

• Official application documents through diplomatic channel.
• Passport/photo and required official forms.
• Assignment/accreditation records from competent authorities.
• Family relationship records where dependents are included.
• Any additional official documents requested by reviewing authority.

7. Fees and Processing

• A-1 processing follows diplomatic channel procedures and schedule.
• Fee treatment may include exemptions per status handling rules.
• Missing accreditation/assignment records are the most common delay source.
• Coordinate timelines through mission and competent authorities.

8. Common Rejection Reasons

• Eligibility category does not meet A-1 diplomatic scope.
• Accreditation/assignment documentation is incomplete or inconsistent.
• Filed through incorrect channel for diplomatic status.
• Family linkage evidence is insufficient for accompanying members.
• Identity/official record mismatch prevents verification.

9. FAQ