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Overview
The A-1 visa is issued to diplomats, consular officials, and foreign government representatives assigned to South Korea under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. It covers heads of diplomatic missions, diplomats, and their immediate family members. A-1 holders are generally exempt from standard immigration controls and enjoy diplomatic privileges under international law.
Who is the A-1 visa for?
Foreign diplomats, ambassadors, chargés d'affaires, consular officers, and their spouses and dependent children officially accredited to South Korea by their home government.
Eligibility requirements
Officially accredited as a diplomat, consular officer, or head of mission to the Republic of Korea
Formal notification from the sending state to Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
Immediate family members (spouse and dependent children) traveling with or joining the diplomat
Must hold a diplomatic passport issued by the sending state
Required documents
- 1.
Diplomatic passport
- 2.
Diplomatic note from sending state's foreign ministry to Korean MOFA
- 3.
Official appointment letter or accreditation documents
- 4.
Family members: copies of diplomatic passport + family relationship documents
How to apply — step by step
- 1
Sending state notifies Korean MOFA
The diplomat's home government sends an official diplomatic note to Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs notifying them of the assignment.
- 2
Accreditation processed through MOFA
Korea's MOFA processes the accreditation and issues the visa through official diplomatic channels — not the standard consular process.
- 3
Arrive and receive ARC (or diplomatic ID)
Diplomats register with MOFA upon arrival. Diplomatic ID cards (외교관증) may be issued instead of standard Alien Registration Cards.
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