In Korea your “visa” is really a status of stay (체류자격), shown as a letter and number such as D-2 or E-7. The status decides what you may do here: study, work for one named employer, work freely, or live with family. Pick the one that matches your main activity, because doing something outside it (for example, paid work on a tourist status) is a crime under the Immigration Act.
Key facts
| What it is | A status of stay (체류자격) with a code like E-7 or F-6 |
| Who decides | Ministry of Justice, through consulates abroad and local immigration offices (출입국·외국인관서) |
| Stays over 90 days | You must register and get a residence card (외국인등록증) within 90 days of entry |
| Work rule | You may only work if your status allows it, and often only at the employer you registered |
| Help line | Immigration Contact Center 1345 (20 languages) |
How the letters work
| Letter | Purpose | Common examples |
|---|---|---|
| B, C | Short visits, up to 90 days | B-1/B-2 visa-free entry, C-3 short-term visit |
| D | Study, training, company postings, investment, job seeking | D-2 student, D-4 language trainee, D-8 investor, D-10 job seeker |
| E | Employment | E-1 professor, E-2 language teacher, E-7 skilled professional, E-9 non-professional worker |
| F | Family, ethnic Koreans and long-term residents | F-2 resident, F-4 overseas Korean, F-5 permanent resident, F-6 marriage migrant |
| G | Other (humanitarian, medical, litigation) | G-1 |
| H | Working holiday and visiting work | H-1 working holiday, H-2 visiting worker for ethnic Koreans |
The number after the letter is the main category, and a second number (E-7-1, F-2-7) is a sub-type with its own rules.
Short visits: B and C
Citizens of visa-waiver countries enter on B-1 or B-2 status for a set number of days. Most of them must get a K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) before flying. As of October 2026, nationals of 22 countries and regions, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Germany and France, are temporarily exempt from K-ETA until 31 December 2026.
Short-term statuses do not allow paid work, and you generally cannot switch from them to a long-term status inside Korea. Most people must apply for the right visa at a Korean consulate abroad.
Study and job seeking: D
- D-2 (student) covers degree programs; D-4 covers language institutes. Both can work part-time only with a separate permit for activities outside your status (체류자격 외 활동허가), which costs ₩20,000 for students.
- D-10 (job seeker) lets graduates and professionals look for work in Korea. See our D-10 to E-7 guide.
- D-7, D-8, D-9 cover intra-company transfers, investors and trade.
Work: E
- E-1 to E-7 are professional statuses. E-2 teachers are covered in our contract checklist. E-7 covers a list of professional and skilled jobs, each with its own salary and education rules.
- E-9 is for non-professional workers hired through the Employment Permit System (고용허가제, EPS) in manufacturing, farming, fishing, construction and some services. Job changes are tightly limited.
- E-8 is for seasonal farm and fishery workers.
Work statuses are tied to an employer. To change jobs you usually need permission first. See Changing Your Visa Status Inside Korea.
Family and residency: F
- F-1 visiting family and some special cases.
- F-2 long-term residence, including the points-based F-2-7.
- F-3 dependent family of D, E and some F holders. F-3 holders cannot work.
- F-4 overseas Koreans with foreign nationality.
- F-5 permanent residence.
- F-6 spouses of Korean citizens, and some parents of Korean children.
Our long-term residency guide explains F-2, F-4, F-5 and F-6 in detail.
What it costs
Government fees for common applications inside Korea, as of October 2026:
| Application | Fee |
|---|---|
| Residence card (first issue or reissue) | ₩35,000 |
| Extension of stay | ₩60,000 (F-6: ₩30,000) |
| Change of status | ₩100,000 (to F-5: ₩200,000) |
| Change or addition of workplace | ₩120,000 |
| Permit for activities outside your status | ₩120,000 (D-2/D-4 part-time work: ₩20,000) |
| Re-entry permit | ₩30,000 single, ₩50,000 multiple |
Online applications on HiKorea for extensions, status changes, workplace changes and re-entry permits get a 20% discount.
Your status and expiry date are printed on your residence card and shown on HiKorea and the mobile residence card. The date on the visa sticker in your passport only mattered for entry.
Common questions
Is a visa the same as a status of stay?
Not quite. The visa (사증) is the permission to enter. Once you are in Korea, your status of stay and its period (체류기간) are what count.
Can I work on a tourist or visa-free entry?
No. Working without a status that allows it can bring a fine of up to ₩30 million or prison, plus removal. See Overstays, Fines and Deportation.
Can my spouse work on F-3?
No. F-3 is a dependent status without work rights. Your spouse would need a work status of their own or a permit for activities outside their status.
Where do I check which visa I need?
The Korea Visa Portal (visa.go.kr) lists visa types by purpose, and 1345 can answer questions in your language.
Official sources
This guide explains the general rules as of the date above. Rules change and every case is different, so confirm with the office named here (or the 1345 Immigration Contact Center) before an important decision. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.