South Korea offers foreign nationals possible paths to employment in a range of fields, including education, research, specialized professional work, and non-professional work.
Working in South Korea also offers opportunities to experience its varied coastlines, natural scenery, and cosmopolitan cities. Learning Korean can help you make the most of daily life and work in the country.
Foreign nationals who plan to work in South Korea must use the visa or status of stay that matches their intended activity, such as short-term employment, professional employment, non-professional employment, or an eligible working-holiday arrangement. The correct route and required documents depend on your nationality, occupation, and planned length of stay. Let’s take a look at how to get a Korean Work Visa.
Types of Employment-based Visas in South Korea
| Types of South Korean employment-based visas and statuses of stay |
|---|
| Job Seeker (D-10-1) Visa | for eligible job-seeking activities and training related to professional fields that may lead to employment under an E-1 through E-7 status |
| Professor (E-1) Visa | for education, research, or guidance at institutions such as colleges and universities |
| Foreign Language Instructor (E-2) Visa | for eligible foreign-language conversation instructors and certain assistant teachers |
| Researcher (E-3) Visa | for eligible research activities in fields such as the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, arts, and sports |
| Technical Instructor or Technician (E-4) Visa | for eligible technical instruction or expertise in fields such as natural sciences, technology, and specialized industries |
| Professional (E-5) Visa | for eligible professionals in fields such as law, accounting, and medical care |
| Arts and Entertainment (E-6) Visa | for eligible artistic, entertainment, performance, and sports-related activities |
| Foreign National of Special Ability (E-7) Visa | for eligible professional, semi-professional, general manpower, and skilled-worker activities designated under the applicable rules |
| Seasonal Worker (E-8) Visa | for eligible seasonal work, such as crop cultivation and harvesting or the processing of raw fishery products |
| Non-professional Employment (E-9) Visa | for eligible non-professional work in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, fishery, service, forestry, and mining |
| Maritime Crew (E-10) Visa | for eligible work as a domestic seafarer, fishing crew member, or cruise-ship crew member |
| Short-Term Employee (C-4) Visa | for eligible paid short-term activities, generally for a stay of 90 days or less |
| Other special work-related categories include: |
| Working Holiday (H-1) Visa | for eligible nationals covered by a current working-holiday agreement or arrangement with South Korea; check the Working Holiday Info Center and the responsible diplomatic mission for current eligibility |
| Special Talent Permanent Resident (F-5-11) Status | for qualifying individuals with special abilities; this is a permanent-resident category rather than a standard employer-sponsored work visa |
Steps to Apply for a South Korean Work Visa
Start by identifying the correct visa category and application route. A job offer or employment contract is needed for many employment visas, while the D-10-1 category is intended for eligible job seekers. Processing times vary by visa category and diplomatic mission, so review the instructions for the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for your area before making travel plans.
For E-1 through E-7 holders, a spouse and underage children may generally be invited under the Dependent Family (F-3) Visa category. Family eligibility and the filing route can differ for other statuses, so check the Visa Navigator and the responsible diplomatic mission.
To begin your application, follow the guide below:
Step 1. Complete the Application Form through the Visa Portal
Visit the Korea Visa Portal and use the Visa Navigator. Select your nationality or region, purpose of entry, and intended length of stay to review the appropriate status of stay and the related document guidance.
The correct filing route is not the same for every applicant. Depending on the visa category, you may apply through a Korean embassy or consulate, use an eligible e-Visa route, or use a confirmation-of-visa-issuance route involving a sponsor or a Korean immigration office.
When an electronic form is available for your route, complete it carefully. The portal lists a natural-color 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm photograph and passport information among the required items. Use the diplomatic office locator to find the mission responsible for your area.
For certain routes, the sponsor can submit the application or the confirmation-of-visa-issuance request. Follow the instructions for your visa category rather than assuming that every work visa follows the same online process.
Step 2. Pay Visa Processing Fees
The standard visa application fees are $40 for a single-entry visa for a stay of 90 days or less, $60 for a single-entry visa for a stay of 91 days or longer, $70 for a double-entry visa, and $90 for a multiple-entry visa. Fees may differ because of reciprocity, agreements, or other applicable rules.
Visa Portal applications paid electronically are charged in USD, and credit-card or e-payment surcharges may apply. Applications filed through a diplomatic mission follow that mission’s payment instructions. Paying a fee does not automatically secure an appointment slot.
Step 3. Employer Confirms the Application
Employer or sponsor confirmation applies to certain application routes. For example, when an eligible applicant files an e-Visa application personally, the sponsor confirms the invitation in the Visa Portal. For a confirmation-of-visa-issuance application through the portal, the inviter files the request. Other applicants may file directly with the responsible diplomatic mission.
Step 4. Collect All Necessary Documents
Prepare the documents required for your filing route and visa category. The Korea Visa Portal states that the Visa Navigator requirements are minimum requirements and that the responsible diplomatic mission may request additional documents or exempt certain documents.
| Typical items to review for a South Korea work visa application |
|---|
| 1. Visa application form or electronic form for the applicable route | 5. Fee and payment method required by the portal or diplomatic mission |
| 2. Passport or scanned passport pages, depending on the filing route | 6. Documents required for the specific visa category |
| 3. Natural-color photograph, 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm | 7. Sponsor or employer documents when required |
| 4. Confirmation-of-visa-issuance number or form, if that route applies | 8. Any additional or exempted documents specified by the responsible diplomatic mission |
Do not treat a checklist prepared for one visa type or one diplomatic mission as universal. Follow the instructions shown for your status of stay and the responsible diplomatic mission.
Step 5. Submit to the South Korean Diplomatic Mission
If your route requires an in-person application, submit the required documents to the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for your area and follow that mission’s appointment instructions. Eligible e-Visa applicants complete the process online instead.
Processing times vary by visa type and diplomatic mission. Check your application status through the Korea Visa Portal and follow the responsible mission’s instructions for the next step. When instructed, print the Visa Grant Notice and keep it with your passport for entry.
Do not assume that every visa is valid for three months. The Korea Visa Portal states that a confirmation of visa issuance is valid for three months and can be used once for visa issuance. Your visa’s validity period, number of permitted entries, and period of stay depend on the document issued for your case.
We hope that this article on how to get a work visa in Korea was helpful! If you’re also interested in studying in South Korea, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students and Study in Korea to explore more study options.
