Home / Korea Immigration / Korea Immigration Visa's
January 20, 2025
Korea Visa Portal / Family Visitor - Dependent Family
https://www.visa.go.kr/
Eligible Applicant Example(s)
A retiree living with a Korea born spouse, who has an F-4 Visa and is a US citizen, is eligible for a multiple-entry F-1 Visa, specially an F-1-9 (Spouse, minor children and parents of F-4 visa holder). F-1 visa holders cannot typically work. The period of stay is up to 2 years and can be extended.
Korea Visa Portal / Overseas Korea
https://www.visa.go.kr/
Eligible Applicant Example(s)
Retiree spouses with Korean heritage, even if they are a U.S. Nationalized Korean, are eligible for an F-4 visa.
Eligible Applicant Example(s)
A multi-entry visa for foreigners with no connection to a Korean relative, but wish to stay in Korea long-term. If you leave Korea after obtaining an F-5 visa, you must return to Korea every 2 years in order to keep it active, You must renew the Visa every 10 years. An F-5 Visa holder may also work in Korea. This is a difficult Visa to get.
Requirements and How to Apply: https://www.visaskorea.com/f-5-permanent-residency-visa/
Korea Visa Portal / Marriage / Immigrant https://www.visa.go.kr/
Eligible Applicant Example(s)
A retiree married to a Korea born spouse who is NOT a US citizen, is eligible for a multiple-entry F-6 Visa. F-6 Visa allows the Visa holder to work in the Republic of Korea for two years.
How to Apply, Korea Visa Portal: https://www.visa.go.kr/openPage.do?MENU_ID=10105
Korea Visa Portal ( Short Term Visit ) https://www.visa.go.kr/
Eligible Applicant Example(s)
A person who plans to stay for a short period of time on the purpose of visiting relatives, investing in public business, participating in a non-official sport games, attending events or meetings, performing cultural art, engaging in a training, taking lessons, attending a religious ceremony, collecting documents for academic research, or any other equivalent activities.
Tourists expected to stay of 90 days or less.
You must complete a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) online either before you travel or at the airport when you arrive. Requires departure from Korea every 90 days to restart the 90 day clock. At the 90 day point, or prior, many individuals fly to Japan, Okinawa, Guam etc for the day and then return. Upon returning to Korea, the 90-day clock restarts, but requires another K-ETA.
For those retirees still working federal jobs here with SOFA Status
You must be a U.S. government employee to be eligible for an A-3 Visa i.e. Civil Service (GS/NAF/WG/GG etc), Invited Contractor with a form 700-19, AAFES, and also includes non full-time employees as NAF, Civil Service, and AAFES (but not Invited Contractors) that are less then 40 hours a week flex or intermittent time (usually 20-36 hours a week).
Common Question: I am currently under a A-3 visa with SOFA status, and even have a Korea Registration Card. I am about to terminate my government position here in Korea and prepare to move out of Korea. How long may I remain in Korea before I must leave the country?
Answer: You retain SOFA status under your A-3 Visa for 30 days after employment end date, at which point you must leave the country and return under another visa status. If returning as a tourist (C-3), then you must leave the country every 90 days. That 90 days does not begin immediately after losing A-3/SOFA status i.e. staying in Korea 30 days + 90 days consecutive after termination government employment. If you have a Korea Registration Card (called ARC previously), as your A-3 is expiring, you must update your ARC card visa status at an Immigration office. Your ARC card does not automatically extend that 30 day requirement and allow you to remain longer in Korea past the 30 days. Even if you re applying for an F-5 or F6 visa to remain, that new visa must be obtained within the 30 days.
