Korean Visa Types

Professor Visa

Teach or research at a Korean university or college as a foreign academic.

Foreign Language Instructor Visa

Teach English or another foreign language at a Korean school or hagwon.

Research Visa

Conduct research at a Korean research institution, university, or company R&D center.

Technology Transfer Visa

Transfer industrial or engineering technology to a Korean company as a foreign specialist.

Professional Employment Visa

Work in a licensed profession in Korea — medicine, aviation, maritime, and more.

Arts & Entertainment Visa

Perform, produce, or work in the Korean arts and entertainment industry.

Specific Activities Visa (Skilled Worker)

Korea's primary employer-sponsored work visa for skilled foreign professionals — occupation-code fit, salary, employer records, and job duties all have to match.

Non-Professional Employment Visa

Work in Korea as a factory, agriculture, fishery, construction, or service-sector worker through the official Employment Permit System.

Working Holiday Visa

Live, travel, and work in Korea for up to 2 years — open to citizens of ~30 eligible countries aged 18–35.

Working Visit Visa

Ethnic Koreans from China and CIS countries can live and work in Korea for up to 3 years.

Seasonal Worker Visa

Work in Korean agriculture or fishery during peak seasons — government-managed programme.

Seafarer Employment Visa

Work as a non-officer crew member on Korean domestic ships, fishing vessels, or cruise ships.

Temporary News Coverage Visa

Short-term media and journalism activities in Korea

Short-Term Employment Visa

Short-term paid work: performances, sports, and technical services

Student Visa

Study for a degree at an accredited Korean university or college.

General Training Visa

Korea's non-degree study and training visa — most often D-4-1 Korean language study, with separate rules for D-4-7 foreign-language training and other training tracks.

Job Seeker Visa

Stay in Korea to look for employment after graduating from a Korean university.

Culture & Arts Visa

Non-commercial academic research and arts activities — studying Korean culture, traditional arts, or pursuing creative work.

Intracompany Transferee Visa

Transfer within your multinational company to a Korean office or subsidiary.

Corporate Investment Visa

Set up or manage a foreign-invested company in South Korea.

Trade & Management Visa

Conduct trade, sales, and business management activities in South Korea.

Short-Term Visit Visa

Tourism, short business trips, medical care, and family visits — up to 90 days.

Technical Trainee Visa

Train at a Korean industrial company when your employer has a direct investment or technology-export tie with Korea.

Journalism / Press Visa

Reside in Korea as a foreign correspondent or journalist for long-term news coverage.

Religious Activities Visa

Conduct religious work or social welfare activities in Korea for a registered religious or welfare organisation.

Visa Exemption

Enter Korea without a visa if your country has a bilateral visa-exemption agreement with South Korea.

Tourist / Transit (No Visa)

Enter Korea for tourism or transit without a visa — for nationalities designated by the Ministry of Justice.

Resident Visa

Long-term residency status for those with strong ties to Korea.

Overseas Korean Visa

For ethnic Koreans with foreign nationality — live and work in Korea with minimal restrictions.

Permanent Residency

Korea permanent residency — indefinite stay and full work rights, with no annual renewal required.

Digital Nomad Visa

Live and work remotely in Korea for a foreign employer — Korea's workation visa.

Marriage Migrant Visa

For foreign spouses of Korean nationals — full work rights in Korea and a direct path to permanent residency.

Dependent Companion Visa

Join your spouse or parent in Korea as a dependent of an F-4 or H-2 visa holder.

Visit / Cohabitation Visa

Visit or live with family in Korea — for relatives of long-term residents, students, and diplomatic staff.

Diplomatic Visa

For foreign diplomats, consular officers, and their accompanying family members posted to Korea.

Government Official Visa

For foreign government officials and international organization staff on official missions to Korea.

Agreement (Treaty) Visa

For personnel in Korea under bilateral treaty obligations — including US military (SOFA) and Fulbright scholars.

Humanitarian Visa

For asylum seekers, recognized refugees, and other humanitarian cases awaiting status determination in Korea.