Conduct religious work or social welfare activities in Korea for a registered religious or welfare organisation.
Stay Duration
1 year (initial grant); extendable
Processing
2–4 weeks; 사증발급인정서 required for most cases
Visa Fee
$44.78 (extension)
Fees and processing times sourced from HiKorea & Ministry of Justice. Figures are updated periodically but may change — verify before submitting.
The D-6 visa (종교 — religious activities) is issued to foreign nationals who will engage in religious work or social welfare activities in Korea under the auspices of a formally registered religious or welfare organisation. It covers missionary work, pastoral service, religious education, welfare programmes run by religious bodies, and spiritual training (meditation, study, and research) within a Korean religious community. The holder must be affiliated with a recognised organisation and may not receive separate employment income. Stays of 90 days or less fall under C-3 instead.
Foreign religious workers dispatched to Korea by an overseas religious or social welfare organisation to its registered Korean branch or affiliated body; foreign missionaries or clergy invited by a Korean religious organisation; and individuals invited by a Korean religious community to undertake spiritual training, study, or research activities.
Affiliation with a foreign or Korean religious organisation or social welfare body that is formally registered in Korea
Purpose is religious ministry, social welfare, or spiritual training/research — not commercial work
The inviting organisation must have a valid registration certificate (종교단체 설립허가서 or 사회복지단체 설립허가서)
For Korean-invitation spiritual training: the institution must be a recognised religious body, not a for-profit private institute
No separate paid employment; any remuneration from the sponsoring religious body disqualifies the D-6
Valid passport + visa application form + passport photo
사증발급인정서 (for most D-6 cases); social welfare cases with brief stays may be handled directly by the consulate
Invitation/dispatch letter from the sponsoring religious or welfare organisation
Organisation's registration certificate (종교단체 or 사회복지단체 설립허가서 사본)
For organisations with a domestic and overseas branch: both the headquarters' (종단/교단) and the local unit's (단위교회/사찰) registration certificates
Proof of the applicant's ordination, pastoral credentials, or relevant religious training
Obtain sponsorship from a registered Korean organisation
The inviting Korean religious or welfare organisation must be formally registered. Confirm that it holds the required 설립허가서 and can issue an invitation letter.
Sponsoring organisation applies for 사증발급인정서
For most D-6 cases, the sponsoring organisation applies for a 사증발급인정서 at the local immigration office. Simple social welfare cases may be processed directly by the consulate.
Apply at the Korean consulate
Submit your visa application with the 사증발급인정서, invitation letter, and organisation registration documents.
Arrive and register
Register at the immigration office within 90 days of arrival and obtain your ARC. Keep your activities within the scope of your D-6 authorisation.
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