Eligibility quiz
Did either of your parents have South Korean citizenship before becoming a citizen of another country?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in South Korea
You can live in South Korea for the period granted, and can seek an extension.
A multiple-entry visa is normally valid for five years, with stays of up to two years.
The longest stay allowed is three years, but the period actually granted controls.
Study in South Korea
You can study in South Korea.
Work in South Korea
You can generally take and change jobs without being tied to one employer or workplace, and you can run a business.
Some jobs are restricted, and certain professions require a South Korean licence.
Leave and return
After reporting your residence, you can leave and return during your permitted stay without a separate re-entry permit.
Your residence-report card can stand in for a resident-registration card, foreigner-registration card and related certificates in procedures and transactions.
Own and use property
You can rent or buy a home, use banking services and make everyday contracts.
After reporting your residence, you generally have the same land rights as a South Korean citizen to buy, hold, use and sell land.
Exceptions include protected military-facility areas.
Use public healthcare
After six months living in South Korea, you are generally enrolled in National Health Insurance, unless an exemption applies.
You pay premiums and receive the same insurance coverage as South Korean citizens.
Some students who meet school, income and property conditions get a premium reduction.
How to apply
From outside South KoreaFrom outside South Korea
Find your consulate
Find the South Korean embassy or consulate that serves the area where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which South Korean consulate serves your city for an Overseas Korean visa application?”
Download the application form
Download the Visa Application Form from the South Korea Visa Portal.
Download the formFill in the form
Fill in and sign the form in Korean or English, choosing a long-term stay and F-4 status. Attach your photograph.
See how to completeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the South Korea Overseas Korean visa application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsArrange your application
Book an appointment, register online or submit an electronic form if your consulate requires it before you apply.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment or register for a South Korea Overseas Korean visa at the consulate serving your city?”
Hand in your application
Bring your signed form and required documents to the consulate, and pay the fee as the consulate directs. Ask the consulate how it accepts applications; you can mail your package only if it permits this.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit and pay for a South Korea Overseas Korean visa application at the consulate serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Check your result through the South Korea Visa Portal using the diplomatic-office category. Answer any questions or requests for more documents from the consulate.
Check your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check the status of a South Korea Overseas Korean visa application through the Visa Portal?”
Collect your visa
Once approved, collect your passport and visa or arrange their return by mail as the consulate directs. You can then travel to South Korea.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my South Korea Overseas Korean visa from the consulate serving your city?”
Once in South KoreaOnce in South Korea
Enter South Korea
Travel to South Korea with your passport and visa. If you intend to stay more than 90 days, report your residence within 90 days of entry.
See entry instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter South Korea with an Overseas Korean visa?”
Find your immigration office
If you intend to stay more than 90 days, find the immigration office that serves your South Korean address.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which South Korea immigration office serves your city for an Overseas Korean residence report?”
Download the report form
If you need to report your residence, download the Overseas Korean application and report form.
Download the formFill in the report
Fill in and sign the form to report your residence.
See how to completeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the South Korea Overseas Korean residence report form?”
Book an office visit
Use Hi Korea to reserve a visit to your immigration office to report your residence.
Book an appointmentReport your residence
Bring your completed report and required documents to your immigration office and pay the fee there. Report your occupation and annual income as required.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a South Korea Overseas Korean residence report at the immigration office serving your city?”
Get your residence card
Get your Overseas Korean residence card or report document from the immigration office as directed. It records your residence in South Korea.
See card collectionSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get a South Korea Overseas Korean residence card after reporting my residence?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your birth certificate showing your Korean parent. Bring any other birth records needed to show your relationship to your parent.
Parent's citizenship records
Get your Korean parent's Basic Certificate or a certified copy of their archived family register. If your parent has not yet reported losing Korean citizenship, a receipt for filing that report may be used.
Name change records *
Get an official name-change document or other government record showing that the different names belong to the same person. Bring records for you or your Korean parent, as needed to connect the names on your documents.
* Only if the names on the records do not match.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Residence and record reporting
If you plan to stay more than 90 days, report your residence or follow foreigner-registration rules within 90 days of entry.
Report a move from your reported address within 14 days, and keep your passport, nationality and other required records current.
Missing required reports can bring penalties or loss of status.
Restricted work
Some types of work are not permitted with this status.
Working unlawfully can lead to penalties or loss of status.
Stay period and renewal
Leave or extend your stay before your permitted period ends.
Extensions are normally filed from four months before expiry through the expiry date; filing late can bring a penalty.
Status can end
Your status ends if your permitted stay expires without a timely extension, you change status, your permission is cancelled or you are deported.
Serious crime or false statements, immigration violations or prohibited activity can lead to cancellation.
So can conduct threatening security, public order, public welfare or South Korea’s interests.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Expats in Korea
English Facebook group for people living in South Korea interested in South Korean visas
Join on FacebookEvery Expat in Korea
English Facebook group for people living in South Korea interested in South Korean local life
Join on FacebookForeigners in Seoul
English Facebook group for people living in South Korea interested in South Korean local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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