Which Korean Visa Do You Need?
Choose your Korean visa by what you plan to do: visit, study, work or join family. Your nationality and supporting documents then determine which application route to check.
Official links 7
- Short visit
- Visa-free entry or C-3
- Degree or exchange study
- D-2
- Language training
- D-4, often D-4-1
- Professional employment
- Relevant E-series status
- Joining family
- F-3 or F-6, by relationship
- First step
- Match your purpose, then check nationality
A visa generally lets you travel to Korea and request entry; it does not guarantee admission. Your status of stay sets the permitted activities and duration after entry. These codes show where to start, not whether you qualify.
Choose by what you will do in Korea
Tourism and short visits
Some passport holders can visit without a visa. Others need a short-stay C-3 visa, such as C-3-9 for tourism; certain business meetings may fall under C-3-4. A short visit does not grant general permission to work.
K-ETA is not a visa. Some visa-free travelers need it before departure. Eligible countries and regions are temporarily exempt until December 31, 2026; travelers using the exemption may still need an arrival card. Check the official K-ETA notice for your passport before booking.
Degree study or language school
D-2 covers eligible university degrees and exchange programs. D-4, often D-4-1 for Korean-language training, covers qualifying non-degree courses. Ask your school for the correct subtype and admission documents. Student status does not allow unrestricted employment.
Working for a Korean employer
Work authorization must match the job. Common examples are E-2 for qualifying language teachers, E-7 for certain specialists and E-9 for eligible non-professional jobs. Different professions have different visas and sponsorship rules. A job offer alone is not approval.
Joining family
F-3 covers qualifying dependents of certain long-term residents; F-6 covers qualifying spouses of Korean citizens. Requirements depend on the sponsor and relationship. F-3 does not itself provide unrestricted work rights.
Overseas Koreans
F-4 is the main status for eligible overseas Koreans, with ancestry and employment conditions. From February 12, 2026, Korea stopped issuing new H-2 visas as part of the F-4 consolidation. Existing H-2 holders may stay until their permitted period ends and can apply to change status; see the Ministry of Justice announcement (Korean).
Other routes
D-10 is for eligible job seekers; F-1-D is for qualifying overseas remote workers, not jobs with Korean employers. D-7 covers certain company transfers, D-8 investment/business, and H-1 qualifying working holidays. F-2 residence and F-5 permanent residence have separate eligibility rules. Check the exact subtype before applying.
Four checks before you apply
Describe what you will actually do
Start with your main purpose: a holiday, full-time study, employment, family residence or something else. A two-week meeting and a two-week paid assignment can require different permissions. Paid short-term work may need C-4 or another work status, even for visits under 90 days.
Compare the relevant categories on the Korea Visa Portal.
Check the rules for your passport
Entry exemptions, short-stay limits and application rules differ by nationality. Check the government Visa Portal and the Korean mission responsible for where you apply. Do not assume that another passport holder's requirements apply to you.
Confirm your sponsor and documents
Schools provide admission evidence for many D-2 and D-4 applications. Employers may need to sponsor an employment application or arrange a visa issuance confirmation. Family routes require proof of relationship and the sponsor's status. Your consulate sets the exact document checklist.
Apply through the correct channel
Many first visas are issued by Korean embassies or consulates abroad; some routes use the Visa Portal or a confirmation arranged in Korea. Check the instructions for your specific visa before paying fees or booking travel.
Already in Korea? A visitor cannot assume they can switch to a work or study status. Ask HiKorea or immigration at 1345 whether an in-country change is possible.
Important distinctions
Visa expiry and permitted stay are different
The last day you may use an entry visa is not always the last day you may stay in Korea. Follow the permitted-stay date recorded by immigration, not just the visa sticker or issue date.
After you arrive
For a practical first-month plan, read Moving to Korea: First 30 Days. Most people planning to stay longer than 90 days must complete Foreigner Registration within 90 days of entry, though some statuses have different procedures. See Getting Your Residence Card in Korea and How to Extend Your Stay in Korea when those tasks become relevant.
Only the Korean embassy, consulate or immigration authority can confirm eligibility for your circumstances. For immigration questions in Korea, call 1345.