The visa is Korea's humanitarian and special circumstance status — officially '기타' (other). G-1 is not a standard category you apply for by choice; it is assigned by immigration when a foreign national's situation does not fit standard categories but they have a legitimate reason to remain in Korea. G-1 subtypes cover asylum seekers, domestic violence victims, trafficking victims, patients receiving ongoing medical treatment, workers in labor disputes, and other protected situations.
검토 기준
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.
최종 검토일
2026년 4월 22일
출처 기준
신청 전 주의사항
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.
is Korea's protective and transitional status, granted when:
• A foreign national's life, safety, or legal rights require temporary stay in Korea
• A foreign national is engaged in ongoing legal or administrative proceedings
• A foreign national needs ongoing medical treatment that cannot be interrupted
• A foreign national falls into a specific protected category
G-1 is NOT:
• A pathway to permanent residency in normal circumstances
• An open work status (most subtypes have work restrictions)
• Available on demand — is assigned by immigration officers or applied for with specific documentation
The official subtype numbers per the 2026 Foreign Resident Stay Manual (외국인체류 안내 매뉴얼):
G-1-1: Industrial accident (산업재해)
• For foreign workers who suffered a workplace accident and are receiving treatment or in compensation proceedings
• Duration: Duration of treatment and proceedings
• Work: Generally authorized at the same workplace after medical clearance
G-1-2: Illness or accident treatment (질병/사고 치료)
• For foreign nationals receiving medical treatment for illness or accident in Korea where departure would endanger health or interrupt treatment
• Requires hospital documentation (진단서 + 의사소견서)
• Work: Not authorized
G-1-4 trafficking victims: you do not need to 'prove' trafficking before getting protection — identification by a trusted organization triggers protection. Contact 117 first.
If your visa expires while you are a victim or witness in an active legal case, visit immigration before the expiry. G-1-6 can be obtained even in the week before expiry.
G-1-9 medical stay: get hospital documentation early. The hospital's international patient office handles this.
도움이 필요하신가요?
저희 전문가들은 g-1 humanitarian visa korea — asylum, medical stay, domestic violence & all subtypes 사례를 정기적으로 처리하며 한국 출입국관리소가 요구하는 사항을 정확히 알고 있습니다.
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용어가 생소하신가요?
Can I work in Korea while my refugee application is pending on G-1-5?
Not immediately — G-1-5 work authorization is only available after 6 months have passed since the refugee application was submitted and a decision has not yet been made. After the 6-month mark, apply for 취업활동허가 at the immigration office.
My work visa expired but I have an unpaid wage dispute. Can I stay?
Yes — this is exactly what G-1-4 is for. File the wage dispute formally with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (1350) before your visa expires, then visit immigration with proof of the pending claim to apply for G-1-4.
Can G-1 lead to permanent residency?
Rarely. Full refugee status recognition (not just G-1-1 applicant status) can eventually lead to and then pathways. Other subtypes are protective/transitional and do not normally convert to permanent residency without independently qualifying for another pathway.
• For foreign nationals who are a party, victim, or key witness in ongoing criminal or civil proceedings in Korea
• Duration: Duration of the proceedings
• Contact: Your attorney or the nearest legal aid center
G-1-4: Wage theft and labor dispute (임금체불/노동관계 분쟁)
• For foreign workers pursuing unpaid wage claims or labor rights disputes through the Ministry of Employment and Labor or courts
• Work authorization may be granted to cover living expenses during proceedings
• Contact: 1350 (Ministry of Employment and Labor hotline)
G-1-5: Refugee status applicant (난민신청자)
• For foreign nationals who formally applied for refugee status under the Refugee Act (난민법)
• Duration: 6 months, renewable while application is pending
• Work: Available after 6 months if the application is still undecided
• Apply at immigration office within 1 year of entry
G-1-6: Humanitarian stay permit (인도적 체류허가)
• For foreign nationals not qualifying for full refugee status but facing serious humanitarian risks if deported
• Often granted to asylum seekers from active conflict zones
• Duration: 1 year, renewable. Work: Requires separate application.
G-1-8: Long-stay children (장기체류 아동)
• For foreign children who have lived in Korea for an extended period and have no other qualifying status
• Covers children who grew up in Korea and are enrolled in Korean schools
G-1-9: Pregnancy and childbirth (임신·출산)
• For foreign nationals in Korea who are pregnant or have recently given birth and whose visa would otherwise expire
• Duration: Until mother and child are in stable condition for travel
• Work: Generally not authorized
G-1-10: Foreign patient (외국인 환자)
• For foreign nationals on short-stay visas who are receiving inpatient treatment and cannot depart
• Distinct from C-3-3 medical tourism (which is a pre-planned entry) — G-1-10 is for unexpected medical needs
• Requires hospital documentation confirming ongoing treatment necessity
G-1-11: Sexual violence victim (성폭력 피해자)
• For foreign nationals who are victims of sexual violence in Korea, during proceedings and recovery
• Contact: 117 (trafficking/violence hotline), 1366 (domestic violence/sexual violence hotline)
G-1-12: Family of humanitarian permit holder (인도적 체류허가자 가족)
• For the immediate family of G-1-6 (humanitarian stay permit) holders
• Duration: Tied to the primary G-1-6 holder's permit
G-1-99: Other humanitarian circumstances
• Catch-all for exceptional cases not covered by G-1-1 through G-1-12 — assessed individually by the immigration officer
| G-1 Subtype | Work Authorization |
|---|---|
| G-1-1 (industrial accident) | Generally authorized after medical clearance |
| G-1-2 (illness/accident treatment) | Not authorized |
| G-1-3 (litigation) | Case-by-case |
| G-1-4 (labor/wage dispute) | May be authorized |
| G-1-5 (refugee applicant) | After 6 months if undecided |
| G-1-6 (humanitarian) | Requires separate application |
| G-1-9 (pregnancy/childbirth) | Not authorized |
| G-1-10 (foreign patient) | Not authorized |
| G-1-11 (sexual violence victim) | Generally authorized |
To apply for work authorization on , submit a 취업활동허가 (permission to engage in employment) application at the immigration office with supporting documentation.
G-1 cannot be 'applied for' like a regular visa — it is assigned in response to a specific circumstance:
Industrial accident (G-1-1): Report the workplace accident to the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service (근로복지공단). They coordinate with immigration to issue G-1-1 while the compensation process runs.
Refugee applicant (G-1-5): Go to an immigration office (or port of entry) and formally request refugee status. You will receive G-1-5 while the application is reviewed.
Labor/wage dispute (G-1-4): File a wage theft complaint with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (1350) before your visa expires, then visit immigration with proof of the pending claim.
Medical stay (G-1-2 or G-1-10): Have your Korean hospital provide a medical necessity letter. Submit to immigration before your current visa expires.
Sexual violence victim (G-1-11): Contact 117 or 1366. Protection triggers on identification — immigration enforcement is suspended while you receive support.
자격 확인 및 리뷰
Mr. Visa Korea에 등록된 모든 전문가는 한국에 등록된 공인 출입국행정사입니다.
전문가 보기작성자 James Chae — 엑스퍼트 사피엔스 공동창업자
플랫폼 전문 분야: 출입국 컨설팅 및 비자 서비스 · 검토됨 4월 2026