🇰🇷 South Korea visa and immigration options

Employer-Sponsored Work Visa (E-7)

Standard skilled-worker visa for foreign employees sponsored by a Korea-registered employer, covering a defined list of eligible occupations.

Processing time

Typically a few weeks to 2 months depending on occupation and quota status.

Typical costs

Several hundred USD in document and application costs.

Government fees

Visa application fees are modest; employer-side costs vary by sector.

Work and study rights

Full right to work for the sponsoring employer in the approved occupation.

Family

Spouse and minor children may apply for F-3 dependent visas.

Sources reviewed: visaskorea.com E-7 guide, Korea Immigration Service (HiKorea)

F-2-7 Points-Based Long-Term Residency

A points-based long-term residency status scored on age, education, Korean-language ability (TOPIK), and income relative to Korea's Gross National Income (GNI), with a fast-track to permanent residence (F-5).

Processing time

Typically 1-3 months for review once the full points package is submitted.

Typical costs

Several hundred USD in document and processing costs.

Government fees

Standard visa/status-change application fees.

Work and study rights

Broad work rights without being tied to a single employer.

Family

Spouse and minor children may accompany on dependent status.

Important: a minimum of 80 points is required, scored across age (max 25), education (max 25), TOPIK level (max 20), and income relative to GNI (max 60), with up to 40 bonus points and up to -70 penalty points for violations -- verify current scoring tables with HiKorea before relying on an estimate.

Sources reviewed: visaskorea.com F-2-7 guide

Student Visa (D-2)

Visa for foreign students admitted to a recognized Korean university or degree program.

Processing time

Typically a few weeks once admission is confirmed.

Typical costs

Tuition varies by institution; national universities are comparatively affordable.

Government fees

Visa application fee plus tuition at the host institution.

Work and study rights

Full-time study; part-time work is allowed with a permit after an initial period.

Family

Spouse and children may apply for F-3 dependent visas in some cases.

Sources reviewed: Korea Immigration Service (HiKorea)

Corporate Investment Visa (D-8)

Visa for foreign investors establishing or investing in a Korean company, generally requiring a minimum capital investment.

Processing time

Typically 1-3 months once the company is registered and capital is confirmed.

Typical costs

Commonly cited minimum investment of around KRW 100 million (roughly USD 70,000-75,000), plus company formation costs.

Government fees

Company registration fees plus visa application fees.

Work and study rights

Right to manage and work in the established business.

Family

Spouse and minor children may apply for dependent visas.

Sources reviewed: Korea Immigration Service (HiKorea)

Marriage / Family Visa (F-6 / F-1)

Visa for spouses of Korean citizens (F-6) or other qualifying family members joining a sponsor resident in Korea (F-1).

Processing time

Typically 1-2 months.

Typical costs

Modest government fees; cost of translating and notarizing civil documents.

Government fees

Visa application fees.

Work and study rights

F-6 holders generally have broad work rights; F-1 dependants have more limited work rights.

Family

Covers spouse and, in some cases, minor children of the sponsor.

Sources reviewed: Korea Immigration Service (HiKorea)

Standard Naturalization

Ordinary route to Korean citizenship via long-term legal residence, reviewed by the Ministry of Justice.

Processing time

Can take a year or more after the residence threshold is met.

Typical costs

Modest government fees; indirect costs of maintaining years of valid residence.

Government fees

Government application and examination fees.

Work and study rights

Full citizen rights upon naturalization.

Family

Does not automatically extend to family members, who must separately qualify.

Important: South Korea generally requires renouncing your prior nationality to naturalize, with narrow exceptions (such as certain overseas Koreans or individuals of exceptional merit who may be permitted to retain dual nationality). Requires a Korean-language and society test, 5 years of total legal stay (or 3 years via the F-2-7/F-5-16 fast-track), and no…

Sources reviewed: Ministry of Justice of Korea, visaskorea.com F-2-7 guide

Short-Term Visit / K-ETA

Short-term entry for tourism or business visits via the C-3 visa or the K-ETA electronic travel authorization for eligible nationalities.

Processing time

K-ETA is usually processed within 24-72 hours; visa applications take longer.

Typical costs

Modest fees, typically under USD 15 for K-ETA.

Government fees

K-ETA fee where applicable; C-3 visa fee for nationalities that require one.

Work and study rights

No work or study rights.

Family

Not applicable for short-stay visits.

Sources reviewed: Korea Immigration Service (HiKorea), K-ETA official portal