Easy-to-understand guide to Korea visa

Hello, everyone. Today, we will learn about Korean visas, or Korean visas. When you first hear the word visa, it may seem difficult and complicated, but in this article, I will kindly explain it so that you can easily understand it.

1. Basic concepts of Korea visa

A visa is a permit required to enter a specific country. Each country may have different types and requirements for visas issued to foreigners who wish to visit their country. Korea is no exception. Korean visas are largely divided into two types: short-term visas and long-term visas.

(1) Short-term visas

Short-term visas are mainly issued for purposes such as tourism, business, and family visits. These visas usually allow a stay of 90 days or less. The main types of short-term visas are as follows:

1) Tourist visa (C-3-9): Issued to foreigners visiting Korea for tourism purposes.

2) Business visa (C-3-4): Issued to foreigners visiting Korea for business purposes. 3) Short-term Employment Visa (C-4): This visa is issued for short-term work in Korea.

(2) Long-term Visa

A long-term visa is issued for the purpose of studying, researching, working, accompanying family, etc. This visa usually allows a stay of 90 days or more. The main types of long-term visas are as follows:

1) Student Visa (D-2): This visa is issued to continue studying at a university or graduate school in Korea.

2) Exchange Student Visa (D-2-6): This visa is issued to participate in an exchange student program.

3) Employment Visa (E-2): This visa is issued to foreigners who work in Korea for the purpose of teaching English, etc.

4) Family Dependent Visa (F-3): This visa is issued to visit or accompany family members who are staying in Korea for a long period of time.

2. Korean Visa Application Procedure

There are several steps to take to apply for a visa. We will explain the Korean visa application procedure step by step.

(1) Prepare the necessary documents

You must prepare the necessary documents for safe and quick visa issuance. Here are the documents you will generally need:

1) Passport: You will need a passport with sufficient validity.

2) Visa application form: You can download it from the website of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Korea or fill it out offline.

3) Photo: You will need a passport photo to attach to your visa application.

4) Proof of financial support: This is a document proving that you or your sponsor can support you financially during your stay.

5) Invitation letter (if required): If you have an inviter in Korea, you may need to submit an invitation letter as well. This is usually required for long-term visa applications.

(2) Submission of application form

After preparing the documents, you must visit the embassy or consulate to submit the application form. In some countries, you can also submit the application form online. You will also need to pay a fee when submitting the application form.

3. Visa issuance process and time required

After submitting the visa application form, a review period is required. Generally, the visa issuance time is approximately 5 to 10 days. However, depending on the applicant's circumstances or the workload of the embassy, ​​it may take longer. Once the visa is approved, the visa will be attached to your passport and returned to you.

4. Visa Extension and Change

If you need to extend or change your visa while staying in Korea, you can apply by visiting the Immigration Office. The required documents vary depending on the type of visa, so you should check in advance. Extension applications must be submitted before the expiration of the period of stay, and changes are required when changing to a new visa for a new purpose of stay.

We have looked at the basic concepts and application procedures for Korean visas. If you have any further questions, please visit the website of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Korea or contact the relevant organization.

Thank you!