D-6

종교 (D-6)

Religious (D-6)

Visa for Foreign Religious Workers Engaging in Domestic Religious and Welfare Activities

Work

Validity

2 years / Up to 1 year (for individuals engaged exclusively in social welfare activities, issued at the discretion of the head of mission)

Processing Time

Varies (typically 5-10 business days)

Application Fee

Varies (please consult the embassy or consulate)

Eligibility Requirements

Religious workers dispatched from foreign religious organizations; individuals engaged in missionary, ascetic, training, research, or social welfare activities under invitation or dispatch arrangements as specified; excludes those employed and remunerated by Korean institutions.
Religious and social welfare activities. This includes: (1) Individuals dispatched by a foreign religious or social welfare organization to its registered branch in Korea; (2) Individuals dispatched by a foreign religious or social welfare organization to participate in religious activities at a related Korean religious organization; (3) Individuals invited by medical, educational, or relief organizations operated by their affiliated religious organization to engage in missionary or social welfare activities (excluding those receiving remuneration from the engaging institution); (4) Individuals recommended by a Korean religious organization to engage in ascetic practice, training, or research at that organization; (5) Individuals invited by a Korean religious or social welfare organization to engage solely in social welfare activities.

Required Documents

1Visa application form (Form No. 17)
2Passport
3One standard passport-sized photo
4Fee
5Letter of dispatch
6Copy of establishment permit for religious or social welfare organization
7Documents proving financial support for stay from affiliated organization
8Visa Issuance Confirmation Application Form (Form No. 21)
9Copy of passport
10Invitation letter stating purpose
11Copy of unique identification number certificate (business registration equivalent); if invited by religious organization, both denomination headquarters and local church/temple documents required.
12If applied by proxy: Power of attorney, certificate of employment of proxy, copy of proxy’s ID
13Application Form (Appendix 34)
14Passport and Alien Registration Card
15Commission
16Documents proving the Dongil Foundation
17Original and copy of the employment contract
18Degree Certificate
19Copy of Business Registration Certificate
20Consent Form of the Head of the Workplace
21Consent Form of the Current Workplace
22Establishment Permit for the Organization
23Passport
241 standard size photo
25Dispatch Order (Issued by Dispatch Organization)
26Establishment Permit for the Organization
27A copy of the business registration certificate or a copy of the unique identification number certificate
28Certificate of Employment or Dispatch Order (issued by the dispatching organization)
29Documents proving residence (lease agreement, accommodation provision confirmation, notice of expiration of stay period, public utility payment receipts, dormitory fee receipts, etc.)
30Original passport
31Documents related to the establishment of a religious organization or social welfare organization
32Proof of Residence Documents
33Documents related to changes
34Alien Registration Card

Extension & Renewal

Submit a certificate of employment or a dispatch order along with documents proving your place of residence to apply for an extension.

Living Guide: Important Information

Restrictions

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Those who receive compensation from the employing institution are excluded.
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Social welfare activities for a duration of 90 days or less fall under short-term visit (C-3).
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The inviter must be a representative of the denomination/church organization, and pastors of individual churches are not eligible to be the inviter.
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Activities conducted by being employed in a religious organization in South Korea do not fall under religion (D-6).
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Simple assistance or religious activities do not fall under D-6.
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Religious individuals who conflict with the basic national ideology or violate public order and morals are not eligible for visa issuance.
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In cases where conversation instruction activities are the main activities, self-permission is excluded.
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Changing or adding a place of employment is generally not subject to approval (changing the name requires a registration change report)
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Changing the status of stay is generally not permitted (exceptions only for Germany and Canada B-1)
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Re-entry restricted individuals and visa issuance restricted individuals require re-entry permission.
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Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Libya have restrictions on multiple re-entries (with some exceptions for qualifications)
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Changes to foreigner registration details must be reported within 15 days.

Exceptions & Special Conditions

If the period of stay is 90 days or less for social welfare activities
Eligible for Short-Term Visit (C-3) status, restricted to activities as outlined by the Enforcement Decree.
Receiving compensation from the engaging institution
Not eligible for D-6 status.
Religious worker employed directly by a Korean religious organization
Not eligible for D-6 status (must be dispatched from a foreign religious organization)
Activities are limited to assisting a religious worker or merely participating as a believer without engaging in religious activities.
Not eligible for D-6 status.
German national who entered the country under the visa exemption (B-1) qualification.
It is possible to change to any long-term stay qualification except for Technical Training (D-3), Non-professional Employment (E-9), and Tourism Employment (H-1). The approval period is granted once for each qualification, subject to a maximum limit.
Canadian nationals who entered the country under the visa exemption (B-1) qualification.
It is possible to change to Cultural Arts (D-1), Religious (D-6), Visiting Family (F-1), Accompanying (F-3), or Other (G-1) categories, with a stay period of less than 6 months from the date of entry.
Registered foreigners upon re-entry
Exemption from re-entry permit upon re-entry within one year after departure (exemption applies if the remaining period of stay is less than one year).
Entry Restrictions and Visa Issuance Restrictions
Exemption from re-entry permit is not applicable; it is necessary to visit the jurisdictional office of your residence to obtain a re-entry permit.
Nationals of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Libya
Restrictions on multiple re-entries (However, marriage immigration F-6, study D-2, and general training D-4 are permitted)

Procedures

Extension

Submit a certificate of employment or a dispatch order along with documents proving your residence to apply for an extension.

Status Change

In principle, it is not permitted. However, changes may be allowed within the scope of exceptions for B-1 entrants with German or Canadian nationality.

Workplace Change

Change or addition of workplace does not require permission (reporting). However, if there is a change in the affiliated institution or organization (including name changes) or if there is an addition, it is necessary to report the change in foreigner registration details within 15 days from the date of the change.

Scope of Activities and Relevant Persons

•Religious Activities
•Social Welfare Activities

Information on Duration of Stay

•One-time issuance
•The maximum duration of stay is 2 years

Visa issued at the discretion of the consul - Attached documents

•Visa application form, passport, photo, fee
•Dispatch Order
•Copy of the establishment permit for a religious organization or social welfare organization
•Documents related to support for living expenses

Eligibility for Issuance of Visa Issuance Confirmation

•Delegates of foreign religious/social welfare organizations to domestic branches
•Religious activity personnel of relevant religious organizations in Korea
•Invited missionary/social welfare worker from medical, educational, and relief organizations
•Recommended individuals for religious organization activities, including meditation, training, and research in the country

Documents to be submitted for visa issuance confirmation application

•Visa issuance approval application form, copy of passport, photo
•Letter of Invitation
•Dispatch Order
•Copy of the establishment permit
•Copy of the Unique Number Certificate
•Documents related to support for living expenses

Eligibility and Scope of Activities

•Delegates of foreign religious/social welfare organizations to domestic branches
•Religious activity personnel of relevant religious organizations in the country
•Invited missionary/social welfare worker from medical, educational, and relief organizations
•Recommended individuals for religious organization activities, including meditation, training, and research in the country
•Domestic invited social welfare activity worker

Exemption from Permission for Activities Outside of Residence Status - Conversation Guidance in the Workplace

•Applicable subjects: Legal residents under E-1 to E-7, D-5 to D-9
•Eligibility Criteria: Foreign Language Conversation Guidance for Colleagues in the Workplace

Exemption from Permit for Activities Outside of Residence Status - Social Volunteer Conversation Guidance

•Applicable to: Legally residing foreigners
•Eligibility Criteria: Non-profit Social Service Conversational Guidance

Activities outside the residence qualification of the same religious foundation - Religion (D-6) → Professor (E-1)

•Application form, passport, alien registration card
•Documents proving the Same Foundation
•Employment Contract
•Degree Certificate
•Business Registration Certificate
•Agreement of the Head of the Workplace

Activities outside the residence qualification of the same religious foundation - Professor (E-1) → Religion (D-6)

•Application form, passport, alien registration card
•Documents proving the Same Foundation
•Consent Form for Place of Employment
•Organization Establishment Permit

Source: Official Immigration Guidelines

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Important Notice

This information is for reference only. Visa requirements and procedures may vary depending on your nationality and individual circumstances. Always verify with official sources before applying.