Destination Guide
South Korea, one category at a time.
Korea's visa system is built from a large number of specifically coded categories. This page organizes the ones we cover the way people actually think about it — starting with the destination, then the category, then the specific track.
Application categories for South Korea
Each category below links to the full guide for South Korea. Where South Korea's own system has named, distinct programs — rather than one general category — we break that out underneath.
Visitor Visa
Full Visitor Visa guide →Visiting South Korea for tourism, family visits, or short-term business generally requires a Short-Term Visit visa (C-3), or, for eligible passport holders, a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) or visa-free entry under a bilateral agreement.
Business Visitor
Full Business Visitor guide →Short-term business visitors to South Korea generally use a C-3-4 business visa, or, for eligible passport holders, a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) covering brief business trips such as meetings or negotiations.
Study Visa
Full Study Visa guide →Studying in South Korea generally requires a D-2 visa for degree programs at a university or college, or a D-4 visa for non-degree study such as Korean language institutes and other training programs.
Work Visa
Full Work Visa guide →South Korea uses several work visa categories rather than one general work permit — E-7 for skilled professionals with a job offer in a designated occupation, E-9 for non-professional workers under the Employment Permit System, and D-10 for job-seeking after graduation or between roles.
South Korea uses several distinct, named work-visa categories rather than one general work permit — which applies depends on your occupation type and skill level.
Special Occupation (E-7)
For skilled professionals with a job offer in Korea in a designated E-7 occupation, tied to a specific employer and role.
- Skilled professionals with a job offer in an E-7 designated occupation
Non-Professional Employment (E-9)
For non-professional workers entering under the Employment Permit System, generally in manufacturing, agriculture, fishing, or construction sectors facing labor shortages.
- Workers entering through Korea's Employment Permit System in an eligible sector
Job-Seeking (D-10)
A temporary status for recent graduates or professionals actively seeking employment in Korea, intended as a bridge to an E-7 or similar work visa once a job offer is secured.
- Recent graduates or professionals actively job-seeking in Korea
Working Holiday
Full Working Holiday guide →South Korea's H-1 working holiday visa is valid for 12 months and runs on bilateral agreements with a growing list of partner countries, with age eligibility varying by agreement (commonly 18–30, up to 34 or 35 for some partner countries).
Digital Nomad
Full Digital Nomad guide →South Korea's F-1-D visa is for people employed by, or who own, a company registered outside Korea for over a year, who can do that work remotely from Korea. It carries an income threshold that varies by applicant age and region of intended residence within Korea, and can be granted for an extended multi-year stay.
Permanent Residence
Full Permanent Residence guide →South Korea's F-5 permanent residency status is available through several routes, including extended lawful residence with income and Korean-language requirements, points-based skilled residence, or qualifying investment — eligibility and required residence periods vary significantly by route.
Korea's F-5 Permanent Residence status has around two dozen specific sub-codes in total; most applicants fall into one of a few practical tracks based on general long-term residence, a points-based talent pathway, or investment.
General Permanent Residence (F-5-1)
For applicants who have held certain long-term residence statuses (commonly F-2 residence) for at least five years, with stable income, Korean-language ability, and no disqualifying record.
- Applicants with at least 5 years of qualifying long-term residence status and stable income
Points-Based Permanent Residence
For applicants who have held points-based talent residence (F-2-7) for at least three years, assessed on accumulated points across income, education, Korean-language ability, and length of residence in Korea.
- Applicants who have held F-2-7 points-based residence and meet the points threshold
Investor Permanent Residence (F-5-5 and related)
For applicants making a qualifying investment in Korea, with verifiable job creation, or a larger investment into government-designated funds or resort areas, which can waive the standard time and language requirements.
- Applicants able to make a qualifying Korea-based investment meeting the current threshold
Family Sponsorship
Full Family Sponsorship guide →Foreign spouses of Korean citizens generally apply for an F-6 marriage migrant visa, while dependent family members of certain visa holders may be eligible for an F-3 dependent family visa.
Parent & Grandparent Visa
Full Parent & Grandparent Visa guide →South Korea does not have a broad, dedicated long-stay visa category for parents or grandparents comparable to Canada's Super Visa. Extended family visits are generally arranged through the short-term visit visa (C-3), and specific family-reunification categories apply only in narrower circumstances. See our Visitor Visa service for the general process.
Refusals
Full Refusals guide →South Korean visa refusals from an embassy, consulate, or the Korea Immigration Service are not always accompanied by detailed written reasons, and formal appeal options are limited — we help organize the available documentation and information before you reapply.
Korean Citizenship (Naturalization)
Korean naturalization runs through three structurally different routes, each with its own residence period and requirements — which one applies depends on your relationship to Korea, not a single uniform test.
- General naturalization: generally 5 years of continuous lawful residence, age 19+, good conduct, financial stability, and basic Korean language/culture knowledge
- Simplified naturalization: shorter residence periods for applicants with Korean ancestry or marriage to a Korean citizen (commonly 3 years married and 1+ year residing in Korea while still married)
- Special naturalization: for applicants with exceptional, recognized contributions to Korea, where standard residence and financial-independence conditions may not apply
Korean nationality law and naturalization criteria are set by the Ministry of Justice and can change. Covalyn Migration does not guarantee approval — confirm current requirements with the relevant Korean authority directly.
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