How is C-3-10 different from C-3-9?
C-3-10 is a purpose-specific short-stay subtype, while C-3-9 is tourism-focused.
Mr. Visa Korea • PSEO Subtype
C-3-10 (Pure Transit) Korea Visa Guide | 2026
C-3-10 (순수환승) is the pure transit code, for travellers passing through Korea on the way to a third country. It is the most restrictive code in the short-term visit family — it does not admit you to Korea at all.
View parent visa: C-3 — Short-Term Visit Visa1. What C-3-10 Is
C-3-10 is issued as a SINGLE-ENTRY visa with a validity of 3 months and a stay period of ZERO days: it permits only temporary presence within the airport transit area for up to 72 hours. It is aimed at holders of ordinary passports from Syria, Sudan, Yemen and Egypt who are transiting Korea to a third country, and the manual states expressly that it cannot be used for immigration-inspection purposes — that is, it is not a route into the country.
2. Eligibility Checklist
- Declared purpose clearly fits current C-3-10 permitted scope.
- Trip duration and itinerary align with short-stay intent.
- Can prove financial support and return/onward intent.
- Host/invitation records are credible where required.
- No unresolved immigration non-compliance materially increasing short-stay risk.
3. Criteria Summary
- C-3-10 is not a points-based category.
- Review is purpose-credibility and document-consistency driven.
- Category mismatch is a frequent refusal trigger in C-3 workflows.
- Always verify current subtype boundaries before filing.
4. Salary and Contract Rules
- C-3-10 does not use long-stay employment salary-threshold logic.
- Ordinary employment generally requires a different work-authorized status.
- Invitation/contract documents must support temporary permitted purpose only.
- Ambiguous role/compensation language can trigger deeper review.
5. Employer and Workplace Change Rules
- C-3-10 is not a standard employer-sponsored work status.
- Stay is tied to declared temporary purpose and supporting evidence.
- Material activity-scope changes may require authority confirmation.
- Repeated short-stay patterns may trigger de facto work/long-stay concerns.
6. Required Documents
- Application set (form, passport, photo, fee proof).
- Purpose-specific evidence supporting C-3-10 eligibility.
- Travel itinerary and return/onward travel proof.
- Financial support records for intended stay period.
- Any additional mission-specific supporting records requested.
7. Fees and Processing
- C-3 issuance fees follow official short-stay visa schedules.
- Processing time varies by mission workload and risk profile.
- Purpose-document ambiguity often leads to supplement requests.
- Apply with adequate lead time before travel.
8. Common Rejection Reasons
- Purpose does not clearly satisfy C-3-10 permitted scope.
- Supporting records are inconsistent, weak, or unverifiable.
- Financial/return-intent evidence is insufficient for risk profile.
- Application appears to require another status category.
- Filed using outdated subtype assumptions after guidance updates.
9. FAQ
Can I work in Korea on C-3-10?
Ordinary employment is generally outside C-3-10 scope and requires appropriate work-authorized status.
Can C-3-10 be extended in Korea?
It is limited and case-specific; extensions depend on lawful purpose continuity and immigration discretion.
Do visa-exempt nationals still need C-3-10?
Not always. It depends on nationality-specific policy and exact activity purpose.
10. Last Verified From Official Manual
Last verified: 2026-07-27
- • Primary support includes C-3 short-stay subtype guidance and common issuance rules.
- • This page provides operational guidance only, not legal advice. Reviewing officers may request additional documents.
Internal review revision log
Internal visa issuance guidance
Internal stay and residence guidance
11. Subtype-Specific Filing Notes
- Define short-stay purpose narrowly with direct invitation and itinerary evidence.
- Avoid compensation or activity language that implies work-authorized status.