F-1
방문동거 (F-1)Family Visit (F-1)
Long-term stay visa for family visits and cohabitation.
The maximum duration of stay granted for a single issuance is 2 years (specific regulations exist for certain types, such as single-entry visas, which may be limited to 90 days or 1 year).
Varies (typically 5-10 business days)
Varies (please consult with the embassy or consulate)
Subcategories
Parents accompanying foreign students (below high school)
One relative within the second degree of kinship of a self-financed foreign student who is scheduled to enroll or is currently enrolled in an educational institution below high school level.
Domestic Helper for Foreign Diplomatic Missions in Korea
Domestic helper for foreign diplomatic personnel in Korea
Household Assistant for High Net Worth Investors
A domestic helper employed overseas by a high-value investor for more than one year
Household Assistant for Advanced Investors
A household assistant employed abroad by a high-tech investor for more than one year
Household Assistant for Professionals
A household assistant employed overseas for more than one year by a professional worker
Co-habitants of non-similar households of diplomatic (A-1) to agreement (A-3) visa holders
Co-habitant not belonging to the household of a diplomatic or agreement visa holder
Parents and other family members of marriage immigrants
Family members, such as the parents of marriage immigrants, entering the country for reasons such as child-rearing support or humanitarian circumstances.
Parents of Outstanding Talent, Investors, and International Students
Outstanding talent, parents of investors or graduate students who meet certain requirements
Digital Nomad (Workation)
Individuals who are owners of overseas businesses or remote workers affiliated with overseas companies, and who meet certain income and insurance requirements, along with their families.
Household organization for marriage immigrants with marital disruption
In cases where the marriage with a national has been severed but does not fall under F-6-3, and staying is unavoidable due to reasons such as property division or household arrangements.
Spouse and minor children of outstanding talent under the points-based system
In cases where the income of a points-based outstanding talent (F-2-7) is below the per capita GNI, their spouse and minor children
Spouse and minor children of a recognized refugee
Spouse and minor children of a recognized refugee (excluding minor children with a spouse)
Parents of naturalized citizens with foreign nationality, etc.
Foreign nationality parents of naturalized citizens, etc. (Applicable to F-1-5)
Children born from a previous marriage of a marriage immigrant
Minor children born from a previous marriage of a marriage immigrant
Eligibility Requirements
- Domestic helper for foreign diplomatic staff in Korea
- A person who is not a member of the household of a diplomatic (A-1) or agreement (A-3) visa holder.
- Parents wishing to accompany minor foreign students who are scheduled to enroll in or are currently attending educational institutions below high school level.
- Dependents or other family members of the SOFA holder who are 21 years of age or older
- Parents and family members of marriage immigrants (support for child-rearing, humanitarian circumstances, etc.)
- Foreign domestic helpers for investors and professionals
- Digital nomads (workation) and their families
- Parents of outstanding talents, investors, and international students (F-1-15)
- Persons who are recognized as having circumstances that require them to stay in the Republic of Korea for a long period without engaging in occupational activities due to unavoidable reasons.
- Visit to relatives, family cohabitation, dependency, household management, and other similar purposes of stay
Required Documents
- 1Visa Issuance Application Form (Appendix No. 17)
- 2Passport
- 31 standard-sized photo
- 4Commission
- 5Application Form (Appendix Form No. 34)
- 6Alien Registration Card (Applicable Person)
- 7Proof of Residence Documents
- 8Admission Letter or Enrollment Certificate
- 9Documents proving family relationship
- 10Documents proving the ability to bear the cost of staying in the country
- 11Proof of Financial Capability (Citizens of the 21 relevant countries)
- 12Cooperation letter or request letter from foreign diplomatic missions
- 13Employment Contract
- 14Copy of Diplomatic ID
- 15Foreign Investment Notification or Investment Company Registration Certificate
- 16Employer's Employment and Income Verification Documents
- 17Documents proving the educational background of a caregiver
- 18Documents proving employment for more than one year
- 19Invitation Letter
- 20Letter of Guarantee
- 21Documents proving family relationship (domestic and home country)
- 22Pledge to Prevent Illegal Stay and Employment
- 23Documents proving pregnancy, enrollment, severe illness, and disability (if applicable)
- 24Certificate of Employment (at least 1 year in the same industry)
- 25Income verification documents
- 26Criminal Record Certificate
- 27Certificate of Health Insurance Enrollment (Coverage Amount of 100 Million Won or More)
- 28Documents proving family relationship (when accompanying)
- 29Application for Visa Issuance Recognition (Form No. 21)
- 30Invitation Letter
- 31Family Relationship Certification Documents
- 32Documents proving income, investment funds, and living expenses
- 33Business Registration Certificate
- 34Degree certificate or qualification certificate
- 35Employment Medical Examination Certificate
- 36Request from the School Principal (E-7)
- 37Status of Foreign Teachers (E-7)
- 38Marriage Certificate with Divorce Details
- 39Documentation proving the necessity of stay
- 40Proof of Financial Capability
- 41Balance Certificate
- 42Refugee Status Certificate
- 43Certificate of Employment
- 44Income verification documents
- 45Health Insurance Enrollment Certificate
- 46Documents proving family relationship (when accompanying)
Extension & Renewal
Typically within a 2-year range, varying by type (e.g., F-1-6 for 6 months each time, F-1-13 within 2 years, etc.)
Living Guide: Important Information
Benefits & Exemptions
- +Single-parent family or multi-child familyInvitations can be made until the end of September in the year the child turns 12 years old.
- +Registered ForeignerExemption from re-entry permit within one year
Restrictions
- !Those who have been fined more than 2 million won or have received a notice of disposition for violating the Immigration Control Act within the last 5 years, or who have a history of forced deportation or departure orders, are restricted from visa issuance.
- !Additional financial capability proof requirements for nationals of countries with frequent illegal stay
- !Annual income must be above the previous year's GNI or assets must be above the median income requirement
- !Digital Nomad: Income requirement of more than double the per capita GNI from the previous year
- !Digital Nomad: Mandatory enrollment in personal health insurance with coverage of at least 100 million KRW
- !Digital Nomad: Requirements for those aged 18 and over (excluding accompanying children)
- !F-1-12: Employment and profit-making activities are generally prohibited (possible with exceptional permission)
- !Parents accompanying students below high school: Some statuses, such as short-term stay visa holders, cannot change their residency status.
- !In the case of government-sponsored scholarship students, it is generally not possible for parents to accompany them.
- !Parents of international students: 1 person allowed per individual
- !F-1-15: Maximum of 2 people allowed to stay simultaneously
- !F-1-5: A maximum of 2 invitations per child
- !F-1-5: The principle is to invite one person (parents can be invited simultaneously or sequentially)
- !Restriction on the issuance of F-1-5 for a certain period in case of violation of domestic laws by the inviter or the invitee.
- !Foreign Domestic Helper: Obligation to reside at the same address as the employer
- !Foreign Domestic Helper: Employment activities other than domestic assistance are prohibited
- !Foreign domestic helpers: Principle of departure in case of termination of employment or failure to meet requirements
- !If the investment amount is less than 500,000 USD, additional employment requirements must be proven.
- !Regarding F-2-7: Qualification restrictions or granting of F-1-12 if income requirements are not met
- !Restrictions on granting long-term stay to children born in the country under short-term stay qualifications (B-1, B-2, C-3, etc.)
- !Requirement for submission of criminal record certificate (Digital Nomad and activities outside E-2/E-7 qualifications, etc.)
Exceptions & Special Conditions
- Domestic assistants of the same nationality as foreign diplomatic personnel in Korea.Visa issuance is possible at the discretion of the head of the consulate.
- Exemption from fines for violations of Article 21, Paragraph 2 of the Immigration Control Act.F-1-5 Invitation is possible without any time limit.
- Principle F-1-12Employment and profit-making activities are not permitted.
- When the head of the authority recognizes it as necessary.Activities outside the scope of the E-1 to E-7 (with some exceptions) visa status are permitted.
- Short-term stay visa for parents of children born in Korea.Long-term residency qualification cannot be granted; visa re-acquisition is required after departure.
Procedures
Typically within a range of 2 years, varying by type (e.g., F-1-6 for each period of 6 months, F-1-13 within 2 years, etc.)
Application of qualification granting and change approval procedures according to Article 23 of the Immigration Control Act.
Not applicable.
Type-specific allowances (e.g., digital nomads, family of outstanding talent under the points-based system, etc.)
Source: Official Immigration Guidelines
Ready to Apply?
Visit the official Korean immigration website to submit your application.
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.