Korea F-1 VisaVisit / Cohabitation Visa

Overview

The F-1 visa (방문동거 — visit and cohabitation) covers a broad range of family-related long-stay situations that do not fit the narrower F-3 (dependent companion) or F-6 (marriage migrant) categories. It is issued to relatives visiting or cohabiting with Korean residents: parents accompanying children in Korean schools, parents of outstanding talent or investors, domestic helpers of foreign diplomatic staff or high-value investors, and others with compelling personal circumstances requiring an extended stay without independent employment. F-1-D (the digital nomad visa) is a separate sub-type under the F-1 code but has its own dedicated page. F-1 holders may not engage in independent paid employment. Notable sub-type added March 2025 — **F-1-52**: issued to children born from a marriage migrant's prior relationship (결혼이민자의 전혼관계 출생자녀). This allows a foreign national currently residing in Korea as an F-6 marriage migrant to invite their child from a previous relationship (a child not born to the current Korean spouse) to live in Korea. The F-1-52 sub-type was added to the official immigration guidelines effective 17 March 2025.

Who is the F-1 visa for?

Parents accompanying foreign children enrolled in Korean schools (elementary through high school); parents of foreigners classified as outstanding talent or investors; domestic helpers of foreign diplomatic personnel or qualifying investors; and other family members in compelling cohabitation situations approved by immigration.

Eligibility requirements

• Qualifying family relationship or cohabitation circumstance as described in the relevant F-1 sub-type
• F-1-13 (school-age child's parent): the child must be admitted to or attending a Korean school from elementary through high school; financial requirements apply (bank balance above a threshold for nationals of high-overstay countries)
• F-1-15 (outstanding talent/investor parent): the primary holder must be classified as outstanding talent or a qualifying investor by immigration
• F-1-52 (marriage migrant's prior-relationship child, added March 2025): the inviting parent must hold F-6 (marriage migrant) status in Korea; the child must be born from a prior relationship (not the current Korean spouse); birth certificate proving the F-6 holder is a parent is required
• Domestic helper sub-types: the employer (diplomat, investor, or specialist) must hold the qualifying Korean visa/status
• No independent employment in Korea

Required documents

• 1.Valid passport + visa application form + passport photo
• 2.Proof of family relationship — marriage certificate or birth certificate (apostilled or authenticated with certified Korean translation)
• 3.Primary holder's ARC or visa documentation (proving the qualifying status)
• 4.Financial ability documents (bank statements, income certificate) — especially required for nationals of high-overstay countries
• 5.For domestic helper sub-types: employer's identity documents, employment contract, and employer's qualifying visa
• 6.사증발급인정서 (for cases that do not qualify for direct consulate issuance)

How to apply — step by step

1. 1

   Confirm the qualifying F-1 sub-type

   Identify which F-1 sub-type applies to your situation (e.g., F-1-13 for school-age child's parent, F-1-15 for talent/investor parent). Each sub-type has different document requirements.

2. 2

   Gather relationship and financial documents

   Obtain apostilled birth or marriage certificates proving your relationship to the primary holder. Prepare bank statements if the financial requirement applies to your nationality.

3. 3

   Apply at the Korean consulate or immigration office

   Apply at the Korean embassy or consulate in your home country (for new entry) or at the local immigration office if already in Korea (for status change). Most F-1 sub-types can be issued directly by the consulate.

4. 4

   Register and renew annually

   After arriving in Korea, register at the immigration office and obtain your ARC. Renew F-1 annually, and coordinate renewals with the primary holder's status renewal.

F-1 visa — frequently asked questions