Korea A-1 VisaDiplomatic Visa
For foreign diplomats, consular officers, and their accompanying family members posted to Korea.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed July 2026
Review & source basis
Reviewed against
James Chae, 행정사 (Korean Licensed Administrative Attorney). License No. 220-06-06463 · 대한행정사회 (Korean Administrative Agents Association). Reviewed against the HiKorea 사증·체류업무 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 and cross-checked with Ministry of Justice issuances.
Last reviewed
July 14, 2026
Source references
Filing caution
Requirements can change by nationality, local immigration office, and filing channel. Confirm exact requirements with HiKorea, the responsible Korean consulate, or a licensed immigration specialist before filing.
Stay Duration
Duration of posting (no fixed limit — tied to official assignment)
Processing
Expedited through Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) diplomatic channel
Visa Fee
Exempt (diplomatic privilege)
Fees and processing times sourced from HiKorea & Ministry of Justice. Figures are updated periodically but may change — verify before submitting.
Readiness check
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Next focus
Eligibility fit
I meet the core A-1 requirements and understand any sponsor, degree, income, family, or experience conditions that apply.
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. Note: A-1 visas are processed exclusively through official diplomatic channels between governments — they cannot be applied for or booked through this platform.
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 traveling with or joining the diplomat — as of a May 2026 manual update, the dependent-family scope (shared with A-2) is explicitly itemized: (1) legal spouse (if the home country recognizes multiple legal spouses, only 1 is recognized); (2) minor unmarried children living with the diplomat; (3) unmarried cohabiting children 20 or under enrolled as regular K-12 students; (4) unmarried cohabiting children 26 or under in regular university-level education or research; (5) parents (of the diplomat or spouse) aged 60+ entering on condition of not engaging in income-earning activity; (6) adult unmarried cohabiting children with a disability who cannot independently support themselves
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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From Our Experts
Key Immigration Terms
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Visa Process
Alien Registration Card (ARC)
The Alien Registration Card (ARC) is the official ID card issued to foreigners staying in South Korea for 91 days or longer. It is required to open a bank account, sign a phone contract, and access most public services.
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HiKorea
How to use HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) — Korea's official immigration portal for visa extensions, status changes, and ARC renewal. Processing time: 3-10 business days.
Visa Process
Visa Extension (Stay Period Extension)
A visa extension — officially called a 'stay period extension' (체류기간 연장) in Korean immigration law — allows a foreigner to legally remain in Korea beyond the expiry date on their current visa or ARC without leaving the country.
Visa Process
Status of Sojourn Change (체류자격 변경)
A status of sojourn change allows a foreigner already in South Korea to switch from one visa category to another without leaving the country — for example, from a D-2 student visa to an E-7 skilled worker visa upon graduation and employment.
A-1 visa — frequently asked questions
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