C-4-1 (Short-Term Employment) Korea Visa Guide | 2026

1. What C-4-1 Is

C-4-1 is a short-term employment subtype for limited-duration paid activity under specific permitted conditions.

2. Eligibility Checklist

• Planned work fits current C-4-1 permitted activity scope.
• Host/employer-side supporting records are complete and coherent.
• Contract period, duty scope, and stay duration are aligned.
• Compensation and sponsor records are transparent and consistent.
• No unresolved compliance issues from prior stays.

3. Criteria Summary

• C-4-1 is not points-based.
• Review centers on lawful short-term work scope and sponsor credibility.
• Duty/period consistency is a major review criterion.
• Overstated role scope often triggers refusal risk.

4. Salary and Contract Rules

• C-4-1 requires clear short-term contract terms.
• Compensation terms should match sponsor and role documentation.
• No long-stay work-route assumptions should appear in filing.
• Contradictory contract/payment records are high-risk factors.

5. Employer and Workplace Change Rules

• C-4-1 is tied to specific short-term employment context.
• Workplace/activity changes may require updated approval/reporting.
• Activity beyond approved scope can violate status conditions.
• Maintain accurate sponsor and schedule records during stay.

6. Required Documents

• Visa application form, passport, photo, and fee proof.
• Short-term contract and role scope description.
• Sponsor/employer support records and legitimacy evidence.
• Compensation and itinerary/supporting stay documents.
• Additional mission/office-requested documents.

7. Fees and Processing

• Fees follow current C-4 issuance schedules.
• Processing varies by mission and case complexity.
• Supplements are common where duty scope is unclear.
• Submit role-specific, time-bound documentation.

8. Common Rejection Reasons

• Activity does not satisfy C-4-1 scope.
• Contract/sponsor records are incomplete or inconsistent.
• Compensation records conflict with declared duties.
• Stay duration and activity timeline mismatch.
• Core role-legitimacy facts cannot be verified.

9. FAQ