Overview of the F Series Visas for Families, Overseas Koreans, and Permanent Residents

Living with family, Overseas Koreans, long-term residence, permanent residence, and marriage migration. This single document explains F-1 to F-6 visas for living in Korea.

2026.08.2832 min
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Contents
  1. 1. Before You Start
  2. 2. F-1 to F-6, One by One
  3. 3. Application and Stay Procedures
  4. 4. Rights and Safety
  5. 5. Wrapping Up

Employment visas in the E series are divided based on "what work you do." In contrast, the F series looks at whether you have a base of life in Korea. This includes living with family, long-term residence, being an Overseas Korean, permanent residence, and marriage migration. This document explains F-1 to F-6 all in one place: who each Status of Stay (체류자격) is for, whether you can work, and what you need to prepare.

1. Before You Start

Things to Know First

This document is not legal advice and does not guarantee permission. The F series has many detailed codes even within the same main number. Your result can differ depending on your relationship with your inviter, nationality, age, income, stay history in Korea, living area, and whether you raise children.

The starting point to check policies is the latest integrated guide manual on HiKorea. This document is based on the August 7, 2026 edition of the manual, laws in effect as of August 28, 2026, and Ministry of Justice announcements. HiKorea also notes that it can take time for new policies to appear in the manual. Right before you submit your documents, check one more time with the Immigration Contact Center at 1345 or the immigration office in charge.

1-Minute Summary

  • F is a group of statuses centered on your base of life, such as family relationships, long-term residence, Overseas Koreans, permanent residence, and marriage migration. It starts from a different point than the E series, which is divided by a single job field.
  • That does not mean every F status can work freely. F-1 and F-3 cannot work in principle. You must also get permission in advance even for allowed exception activities.
  • F-2 is a long-term residence status, but work and residence conditions differ by detailed code. For F-2-R, actually living and working in a designated area is the core condition.
  • F-4 is the Overseas Korean status. You can do a wide range of professional and general work. However, simple manual labor (단순노무) and jobs that involve gambling or that harm public morals are restricted in principle.
  • F-5 is the permanent residence status, so there are no Period of Stay (체류기간) limits or work restrictions in principle. However, it is not the same as Korean nationality. You must follow the rules for Permanent Residence Card (영주증) renewal, re-entry, and cancellation grounds.
  • F-6 is the marriage migration status, and there are no work restrictions. Even if the marriage ends, you can review other F-6 types if you raise a child, if your spouse died or went missing, or if the marriage ended for reasons not attributable to you.
  • Starting February 12, 2026, new issuance of Working Visit (H-2) was stopped and integrated into Overseas Korean (F-4). People who hold an existing H-2 can keep their H-2 during its validity period or change to F-4. Source: the Ministry of Justice announcement on the F-4 integration
  • If you stay in Korea for more than 90 days, you must do foreigner registration or file a domestic residence report (국내거소신고) within 90 days of your entry date in principle.

Overview of the F Series

Status Core Target Work Possibility Representative Conditions
F-1 Visiting and Cohabitation Living with family, child rearing, household support, humanitarian long-term stay, etc. Not allowed in principle, prior permission for some exceptions Relationship with inviter, need to live together
F-2 Residence Points-based talent, long-term residents, recognized refugees, regional talented individuals, etc. Mostly possible, but restrictions apply by detailed code Income, points, education, region, stay history
F-3 Accompanying Spouses and minor unmarried children of primary stayers such as D, E, F-2, F-4 Not allowed in principle, only permitted exception activities Primary stayer's status, family relationship, livelihood
F-4 Overseas Korean Former Republic of Korea nationals and their descendants Broadly possible, restrictions on simple manual labor, etc. Overseas Korean relationship, criminal record, Korean language, etc.
F-5 Permanent Residence People meeting permanent residence requirements like long-term stay, investment, high talent, marriage immigration No restrictions Good conduct (품행단정), ability to support yourself, basic knowledge of Korea, etc.
F-6 Marriage Immigration Spouses of Korean nationals, child raisers, people whose marriage ended without their fault No restrictions Whether the marriage is genuine, income, housing, communication

Quick Selection Steps

  1. If you have a Korean spouse, look at F-6 first.
  2. If your goal is living with family like parents, spouse, or children, look at F-1 or F-3 depending on the primary stayer's status.
  3. If you, your parents, or your grandparents once held Republic of Korea nationality, check if you qualify for F-4.
  4. If you want to settle long-term based on professional career, income, education, and Korean language score, look at F-2-7.
  5. If you plan to live and work in a population decline area for 5 years or more, look at F-2-R.
  6. If you stayed in Korea long enough and have the income, conduct, and basic knowledge, check your chances for F-5 permanent residence.

Distinguishing Visa, Status of Stay, and Period of Stay First

  • Visa (사증): A document issued by a Korean embassy or consulate overseas so you can request entry into Korea.
  • Status of Stay (체류자격): The range of activities you are allowed to do inside Korea. Even within the F series, work and residence conditions differ if the detailed code is different.
  • Period of Stay (체류기간): The period you can actually stay. It can differ from the validity period of your visa.
  • 외국인등록증 (oegugin deungnokjeung, Residence Card, also called the Alien Registration Card or ARC): The registration card for foreigners staying for more than 90 days.
  • Domestic Residence Report Card (국내거소신고증): An identity and stay certificate you receive when an F-4 Overseas Korean reports their place of residence in Korea.

You can check the basic structure of entry and stay in the Immigration Act and the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act.

2. F-1 to F-6, One by One

F-1 Visiting and Cohabitation

What Kind of Status Is It?

This status is for people who need to live together for a long time. It includes visiting relatives, living with family, child rearing, household support, and humanitarian reasons. The Period of Stay you can get at one time is generally up to 2 years, but it can be shorter depending on the detailed code and the inviter's Period of Stay.

Key target groups include:

  • Family members who need to live together, such as minor children and parents of Korean nationals or long-term staying foreigners
  • Spouses and minor children of F-2 residents who do not meet F-2 requirements on their own
  • Parents and relatives invited to help with child rearing in marriage immigrant families
  • Foreign parents raising minor children born outside marriage who hold Korean nationality
  • Parents or relatives of international students in elementary, middle, or high school in Korea
  • Family members of recognized refugees
  • Foreign children adopted in Korea, and minor children born from a previous marriage of a marriage immigrant
  • People subject to humanitarian stay who cannot leave the country immediately due to illness, accident, pregnancy, or similar reasons
  • F-1-D digital nomads staying in Korea while doing overseas work remotely

Can You Work?

You cannot work in principle. Taking regular school courses is sometimes possible without separate permission if it does not harm your original purpose of stay, but paid work is different.

Some detailed codes can do limited work by getting permission to do activities outside your Status of Stay (체류자격외활동허가). For example, certain F-2-7 accompanying family members and people raising Korean minor children can qualify and get permission for professional work or limited simple work. You must not judge that work is possible just by looking at the broad F-1 number.

F-1-D Digital Nomad (Workcation)

Who Is This Status For?

This status is for people who do overseas work remotely while staying in Korea. It targets people who own an overseas business or work as employees for an overseas company. You need work experience of at least 1 year in the same industry. Applicants must be at least 18 years old in principle, and age exceptions apply to accompanying children.

Income Standard Structure for 2026

The income standard is set as a multiple of the previous year's per capita Gross National Income (GNI), and it differs by age, living area, and whether family accompanies you.

Application Type Capital Area: Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi Non-Capital Area or Population Decline / Concern Area
18 to 34 years old alone 1.5 times GNI 1 time GNI
35 years old or older alone 2 times GNI 1.5 times GNI
Accompanying spouse or minor children 2 times GNI regardless of age 1.5 times GNI regardless of age

To use the relaxed standard for non-capital areas, you need proof that you actually stay in that area, such as a lease contract (임대차계약) of at least 1 month or reservations at designated workcation facilities or accommodations. If you move to the capital area after getting permission under relaxed standards, you may need to meet the capital area income standard or move back to an allowed area.

Main Documents and Period of Stay

  • Proof of employment at an overseas company or proof of running an overseas business
  • Proof of 1 year or more of work experience in the same industry
  • Proof of income, such as pay stubs and bank account balances
  • Criminal record certificate (범죄경력증명서)
  • Medical insurance covering at least 100,000,000 KRW, including medical treatment and repatriation to your home country
  • Documents proving family relationships and regional residence

The Period of Stay you receive for the first time is usually 1 year, and you can stay up to a total of 3 years by extending in 1-year increments. The core activity allowed is remote work for an overseas business or overseas employer. If you want to work for a Korean company or do separate paid activities for Korean clients, you need permission or a status that fits that activity.

F-2 Residence

What Kind of Status Is It?

This is a residence status given to people recognized as having a base to live in Korea long term. The Period of Stay you can get at one time is up to 5 years. Key pathways include:

  • Minor foreign children of Korean nationals
  • Spouses and minor children of F-5 permanent residents
  • People born from a marriage relationship with a Korean national
  • Recognized refugees
  • Investors above a certain amount and people eligible for investment immigration
  • People who held F-5 in the past and meet requirements to receive it again
  • Long-term residents who stayed legally for 5 years or more on statuses such as the D or E series
  • Points-based talented individuals on F-2-7
  • Region-specialized talented individuals on F-2-R
  • People who have special merit or contributed to the public interest, and their families

Scope of Employment

F-2 can generally work, but it does not mean "every F-2 can work freely anywhere in the country with no conditions."

  • For F-2-7, your career and professional activities are the foundation, and certain adult entertainment, gambling, and order-disrupting businesses are restricted.
  • F-2-99 long-term stayers may need separate permission when doing work outside their previous field of activity.
  • F-2-R holders must live and work or start a business in the recommended area.
  • For occupations requiring a professional license, you must have the Korean license and qualification separately from your visa.

F-2-7 Points-Based Talented Individuals

Key Eligible Applicants

People who fall under one of the types below and meet the score, income, and conduct criteria can review this status:

  • People working at a company listed on the KOSPI securities market or KOSDAQ
  • People working in promising industries such as IT, technology management, nano, digital electronics, bio, transport and machinery, advanced materials, and environment and energy
  • People who worked legally for a certain period as professional personnel under D-5D-9 or E-1E-7-1
  • People who obtained a master's degree or higher from a Korean university within the past 5 years and meet professional employment requirements
  • Potential talented individuals on F-2-7S recommended by science and engineering specialized universities or research institutes

The general points system usually requires 80 points or higher. Basic categories are age, highest educational attainment, Korean language, and annual income. Added points like Korean degrees, volunteering, and recommendations, along with deducted points like legal violations, are added together. The detailed points table and recognized documents can change, so you must check them directly against the latest manual.

Points Often Missed in Practice

  • A high annual salary does not mean permission is granted automatically. You must first meet the target type and previous Status of Stay requirements.
  • People working in promising industries are generally checked for an income standard of about 1.5 times the previous year's GNI.
  • The professional personnel pathway generally looks at whether you stayed and worked for 3 years or more on a relevant status. There may be exceptions for high-income earners or science and technology talent.
  • If the main applicant's income is at or above the latest GNI, the spouse and minor children can consider F-2-71. If income falls short, other family statuses such as F-1 or F-3 may apply.
  • Points, GNI, and recognized job categories are calculated using data as of the application date.

F-2-R Regional Specialized Residence

Core Purpose

This status was created for foreign talented individuals to actually live and work in population decline areas and population decline concern areas. Target areas are designated by the Ministry of Justice and local governments. It is not a status that lets you live anywhere in the country. Your promise to the region is your condition of stay.

Basic Structure

For regional specialized stay policies in 2026, you must check the Ministry of Justice notice on item (pa) of F-2 in Appended Table 1-2 of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act together with local government announcements. From May 18, 2026 to December 31, 2027, special employment rules for small business owners are also run as a pilot in some population decline areas, but you must check the business, industry, and area requirements one by one.

If you only keep your address in the area but actually live or work in another area, problems can occur with extension and status maintenance. If you face moving house, changing jobs, business closure, or temporary leave, checking first with the local government and the immigration office in charge is the right procedure.

F-3 Accompanying

Who Can Get This Status?

Eligible persons are the spouse and unmarried minor children of the primary status holder. The primary status holder is mainly a person holding D-1 to D-2, D-4 to D-9, E-1 to E-7, F-2, F-4, or existing H-2. Some primary Status of Stay types, such as D-3 Industrial Trainee, are excluded. It is hard for your Period of Stay to exceed the remaining period of the primary status holder.

The Most Important Rule: No Automatic Work

F-3 is a status for accompanying family. If you want to work, you must get permission to do activities outside your Status of Stay (체류자격외활동허가) before starting work.

Generally, adult spouses of certain primary status holders can get permission for professional activities of E-1 to E-7 or allowed work in agriculture, forestry, and livestock if they meet requirements. For simple work, Korean language requirements such as TOPIK level 2 or KIIP Stage 2 may apply, and the permission period is usually within 1 year.

2026 Work Pilot Special Case

From March 30, 2026 to March 29, 2027, a comprehensive pilot project for permission to do activities outside your Status of Stay runs for adult spouses of the following primary status holders:

  • International students in Korean master's programs (D-2-3)
  • International students in doctoral programs (D-2-4)
  • E-1 Professor, E-3 Research, E-4 Technology Transfer, E-5 Professional Employment

After getting permission first, you can do activities except in restricted industries, and you must report the start and end of work and multiple workplaces within the set deadline. Because this is a temporary project with a set period, you must check again after 2027 whether it ends or changes.

Documents to Prepare

  • Proof of family relationships such as marriage and birth, translations, and Apostille (아포스티유), which proves internationally that a document is genuine, or consular confirmation
  • The primary status holder's passport, Residence Card, and proof of employment or enrollment
  • Proof of living expenses, income and savings, and housing
  • If you apply for a work permit, an employment contract, business documents, and qualification, education, and Korean language documents

F-4 Overseas Koreans

Who Is Eligible?

Foreign-national Overseas Koreans under the Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans are eligible.

  • A person who once held Republic of Korea nationality and acquired a foreign nationality
  • A person who acquired a foreign nationality as a direct descendant, such as a child or grandchild, of that person
  • Overseas Koreans who emigrated abroad before the government was established in 1948 and their descendants are also evaluated with relevant proof.

Multiple nationality holders who still retain Republic of Korea nationality must check nationality and military service procedures first, not the F-4 for foreigners.

2026 H-2 Integration

Starting February 12, 2026, Working Visit (H-2) and F-4, which were separated by nationality or region of origin, were integrated into F-4. As a result, new H-2 visa issuance has stopped, and Overseas Koreans from China and the CIS region are evaluated under the same F-4 standards. People holding existing H-2 can switch to F-4 before expiration, and if they do not switch, they can maintain their existing H-2 period according to transitional measures. The Ministry of Justice announced that 6 months after implementation, 54% of existing H-2 holders converted to F-4. Source: Ministry of Justice progress report, 2026-08-11

Scope of Allowed Work

F-4 allows a wide range of employment, but the following activities are restricted in principle:

  • Simple work done with your body (단순노무, simple manual labor)
  • Work that involves gambling or similar betting, or that goes against good morals and social order
  • Some occupations restricted by the Ministry of Justice to protect domestic employment order
  • Regulated professional work such as medical care, law, and education done without a license or qualification

The work you actually do every day is the standard, rather than the company name or job title. Even in the same restaurant, management, professional cooking, and simple assistant work can be evaluated differently. Before starting work, it is safer to check with 1345 or the immigration office in charge using your employment contract and job description document.

If a person who reported and worked under existing H-2 switches to F-4, they can apply for a separate permission to do activities outside their Status of Stay (체류자격외활동허가) to continue simple manual labor that was allowed under previous H-2 at the same workplace. Switching to F-4 does not mean that all simple work is automatically allowed.

Main Screening Documents

  • Official documents linking past Republic of Korea nationality and bloodline of yourself, your parents, or your grandparents
  • Documents showing loss or renunciation of nationality and acquisition of foreign nationality
  • An overseas criminal record certificate
  • Documents showing Korean language ability and completion of the Early Adaptation Program in Korea
  • Documents showing your place of residence, livelihood, and job or invitation purpose

If you have sufficient Korean language proof, you can get a longer Period of Stay, and some documents and training can be relaxed. On the other hand, if documents are insufficient, a short period like 1 year may be granted. Completing the Early Adaptation Program is required when filing a domestic residence report (국내거소신고) or changing status. However, there can be exceptions for current students or graduates of elementary, middle, and high schools in Korea, people aged 6 or younger and 65 or older, people who lived in Korea for a long time, people who already completed it, and people who completed Stage 1 or higher of KIIP.

Military Service Restrictions

For men who renounced or lost Republic of Korea nationality after May 1, 2018 without completing or being exempted from military service, F-4 issuance is restricted in principle until December 31 of the year they turn 40. This can differ depending on the timing of nationality loss, whether you held multiple nationalities at birth, and military service dispositions, so you must check individually with the Military Manpower Administration and Korean diplomatic missions.

F-4-R Regional Specialized Overseas Koreans

This is a regional specialized status for Overseas Koreans who receive a recommendation from the head of a local government and actually live in designated areas. The scope of allowed simple work can be broader than regular F-4, but you must live and work within the recommended area or allowed metropolitan zone.

  • You need a recommendation from the local government and a local residence plan.
  • Adult entertainment and gambling business types that are not allowed are still prohibited.
  • When you move to another area or change your workplace, check first whether it violates conditions.
  • If you live and work in the area for a certain period and meet income, conduct, and basic knowledge requirements, you can review the regional specialized Overseas Korean permanent residence pathway.

Detailed regions and business types are not determined by a single nationwide rule, but are confirmed through that year's Ministry of Justice public notice and local government recruitment notices.

F-5 Permanent Residence

What Changes?

  • There is no upper limit on your Period of Stay, and there are no restrictions on employment activities.
  • Losing your job does not immediately end your Period of Stay. This is because the status is not tied to an employer.
  • Korean professional licenses, business permits, and labor laws still apply.
  • Republic of Korea nationality, a passport, full voting rights, and military service obligations do not automatically come with it.

Major Permanent Residence Pathways

  1. General permanent residence for those who stayed for 5 years or longer on D-7 to E-7 or F-2
  2. Spouses and minor children of Korean nationals or F-5 permanent residents, and children of permanent residents born in Korea
  3. Investors who invested 500,000 USD or more and employed 5 or more Korean nationals
  4. Overseas Koreans who stayed on F-4 for 2 years or longer and had their need for settlement recognized
  5. Foreign-national Overseas Koreans who meet nationality acquisition requirements
  6. Talented individuals with domestic or overseas doctoral degrees, advanced technology or skill qualifications, and career experience
  7. People with special abilities in science, management, education, culture and arts, or sports
  8. People who rendered special meritorious service to the Republic of Korea
  9. People aged 60 or older who receive overseas pensions above a certain amount
  10. Eligible persons under past Working Visit permanent residence pathways, such as long-term continuous H-2 work experience
  11. People who stayed for 3 years or longer on F-2-7 points-based resident status
  12. People who maintained public business investment immigration or real estate investment immigration requirements for a long time
  13. Business founders and key personnel at research facilities with certain investment and employment records
  14. People who stayed for 2 years or longer as F-2 recognized refugees

Each pathway differs in periods excluded from calculating the Period of Stay, required income and assets, employment fields, and whether family is included.

Common Evaluation Criteria

There are exemptions and relaxations by pathway, so you must not apply the three requirements the same way in every case.

Management After Permanent Residence

  • The Permanent Residence Card (영주증) is valid for 10 years, so you must get it reissued before it expires.
  • If you re-enter within 2 years after departure, a re-entry permit is generally exempted. If you plan to stay abroad longer than that, check re-entry permit requirements before leaving Korea.
  • False documents, fake marriage, major crimes, and violations of re-entry deadlines can lead to cancellation or loss of permanent resident status.

F-6 Marriage Immigration

Three Key Types

Type Eligible person
F-6-1 A spouse who maintains a valid marriage with a Republic of Korea national and lives together in Korea
F-6-2 A parent whose marriage has ended, but who raises or meets (면접교섭, visitation) a minor child born with a Korean national in Korea
F-6-3 A person who cannot continue normal married life due to the death or disappearance of the Korean spouse, or other reasons not attributable to oneself

The Period of Stay you can get at one time is usually up to 3 years, and there are no restrictions on employment activities.

F-6-1 Key Screening Points

  • Valid marriage under the laws of both countries and whether the marriage is genuine (혼인의 진정성)
  • The Korean spouse's intent to invite and the process of meeting and marrying
  • A language through which the couple can communicate with each other
  • Sustainable income and independent housing
  • Criminal history such as violence and sex crimes, and health-related documents
  • Whether the person is subject to completing the International Marriage Guidance Program

2026 Income Requirements for the Korean Spouse

This is based on annual pre-tax income and is calculated by the number of recognized household members.

Household members Annual income requirement
2 people 25,195,752 KRW
3 people 32,154,216 KRW
4 people 38,968,428 KRW
5 people 45,340,314 KRW
6 people 51,335,712 KRW
7 people 57,090,900 KRW
8 or more people 5,755,188 KRW added for each additional person

Income requirements can be exempted or relaxed for legal exceptions, such as when there are children born between the Korean spouse and foreign spouse, or when the couple lived together abroad for 1 year or longer and has no Korean income. To claim an exception, you must prove that fact.

Communication and Housing

You prove communication between the couple through methods such as the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK), designated education courses, foreign language ability, or embassy and consulate interviews. There can be exceptions if there are children between the two people or if you have continuously maintained F-6 stay with the same spouse.

Housing must be an independent and suitable space where the couple can actually live together. Check whether the lease contract, real estate registry, and resident registration addresses match each other.

Where to Apply

In principle, the foreign spouse applies at the Korean embassy or consulate general in their home country or country of residence. Short-term visitors, illegal stayers, and people who postponed their departure deadline face difficulty changing directly to F-6-1 inside Korea. Exceptions can be reviewed for major humanitarian reasons such as pregnancy, childbirth, or child rearing.

When the Marriage Breaks Down

If your married life ended because of your spouse's violence or abandonment (유기), do not wait until your Period of Stay expires, and ask for help from the police, Women's Emergency Hotline 1366, Danuri Call Center, legal aid organizations, or the immigration office in charge. Keep evidence safely, such as medical certificates, police reports, counseling confirmations, text messages, photos, and protection orders.

3. Application and Stay Procedures

Comparison of Whether You Can Work

Status Basic Work Principle What to Check Before Starting Work
F-1 Not allowed in principle Whether the detailed code is an exception, and whether you need permission to do activities outside your Status of Stay
F-2 Mostly possible Restrictions on job types, regions, and previous activities for the detailed code
F-3 Not allowed in principle Whether professional or simple activities can get permission, and whether the 2026 pilot special case applies
F-4 Possible in a wide range Whether the job is simple manual labor or a restricted job type, and whether special rules for H-2 switchers are needed
F-5 No restriction Individual legal requirements such as professional licenses and business permits
F-6 No restriction Individual legal requirements such as professional licenses and business permits

"Being allowed to work" and "needing no reports at all" are different things. Separate duties can arise, such as reporting changes in employment information, address changes, business registration, taxes, and social insurance.

Applications Usually Follow This Order

  1. Find your exact detailed code based on your purpose, family relations, and stay history.
  2. Check the application location in the HiKorea manual and instructions from the Korean diplomatic mission in charge.
  3. Prepare documents on family relations, education and career, income and assets, housing, and criminal records.
  4. Check whether your foreign public documents need an Apostille or consular confirmation from a Korean diplomatic mission.
  5. If your status requires an inviter in Korea, an employer, or a local government recommendation, complete the domestic procedures first.
  6. Apply for a Confirmation of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서, a visa approval document you get in advance inside Korea) or a diplomatic mission visa.
  7. If you stay longer than 90 days after entry, do foreigner registration or a domestic residence report within 90 days.
  8. Extend your stay before your Period of Stay ends, and report changes in address, family, or workplace within the set deadline.

Use HiKorea for e-applications and visit reservations. Check visa issuance progress on the Korea Visa Portal.

Checklist of Common Required Documents

  • Passport, standard photograph, Integrated Application Form, fee
  • Invitation letter, and a letter of identity guarantee if required
  • Proof of marriage, birth, adoption, and family relations
  • Basic certificate, family relations certificate, marriage relations certificate, and resident registration records of the Korean national or primary status holder
  • Certificate of income amount, withholding receipt for earned income, pay slips, and savings and asset records
  • Proof of employment, enrollment, business registration, and employment contract records
  • Proof of where you live, such as a lease contract or confirmation of housing provision
  • Documents required by the specific status, such as a criminal record certificate, medical checkup, and insurance certificate
  • Completion records for TOPIK, the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP), and the Early Adaptation Program
  • If it is a regional specialized status, a local government recommendation letter and plans for residence, employment, or starting a business

Documents in a foreign language need a translation. How to combine translator confirmation, notarization, Apostille, and consular confirmation depends on the document and the country. Prepare original documents within the validity period required by the receiving office.

Things You Must Do After Entering Korea

Foreigner Registration and Domestic Residence Report

People who stay for more than 90 days must register within 90 days from the date of entry in principle. For F-4 holders, it is common to choose a domestic residence report instead of foreigner registration. Make a visit reservation and apply at the immigration office in charge of your residence.

Reporting Changes

If registered information changes, such as address, passport number and validity period, name, nationality, affiliated organization, or marriage and divorce, report it within the deadline for each reason. In some cases, you can report a move at a community service center (주민센터), but depending on your status and the type of report, you must use HiKorea or the immigration office in charge.

Extension of Period of Stay

Do not wait until your expiration date is close. Make a reservation well in advance. If your passport validity period is short, your Period of Stay may also be shortened. For F-2-R and F-4-R, immigration also screens whether your address and workplace continue to meet regional requirements.

Can You Bring Your Family?

Holding an F status alone does not automatically give family members the same status.

  • For the spouse and minor children of an F-2 holder, review F-2-71, F-1, or F-3 depending on the main applicant's detailed code and income.
  • For the spouse and minor children of an F-4 holder, look into detailed F-3 statuses for family members.
  • For the spouse and minor children of an F-5 holder, look into F-2 or permanent resident family pathways.
  • Inviting parents under F-6 is an F-1 pathway for childcare or humanitarian needs, and it is not an unlimited invitation.
  • Family members also need their own visas, registration, and work permits.

4. Rights and Safety

Labor Rights, Taxes, and Social Insurance

Foreigners who work legally are also protected by the Labor Standards Act and the Minimum Wage Act of the Republic of Korea.

  • In 2026, the minimum wage is 10,320 KRW per hour. Based on 209 hours per month, that is 2,156,880 KRW. Source: Minimum Wage Commission
  • Keep an employment contract that states your wages, working hours, duties, holidays, housing costs, and deducted items.
  • For consultations on unpaid wages, unfair dismissal, or workplace harassment, call the Ministry of Employment and Labor at 1350.
  • If you earn income, you may have a duty to file national and local taxes.
  • Coverage for National Health Insurance, National Pension, Employment Insurance, and Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance depends not only on your Status of Stay, but also on your work type, workplace, and international agreements.

Where to Get Help in Danger

  • Crimes, immediate danger: Police 112
  • Fire, emergency medical service: 119
  • Multilingual consultation on immigration and stay: 1345
  • Labor consultations: Ministry of Employment and Labor 1350
  • Emergency support for domestic violence and sexual violence: Women's Emergency Hotline 1366
  • Multilingual consultation for marriage immigrants and multicultural families: Danuri Portal 1577-1366

Even if a perpetrator threatens to "block your stay extension," do not decide on your own to leave the country or choose illegal employment. Preserve evidence that proves the harm, and consult both specialized agencies and the immigration office in charge.

These Words Are Red Flags

Statements like these are highly likely to be fraud or illegal brokering.

  • "All F visas allow free employment, so you can work immediately in factories, delivery, or construction."
  • "If you change to F-4, the simple manual labor you did under H-2 is automatically allowed."
  • "You can maintain F-2-R or F-4-R just by moving your address to a regional area."
  • "If you marry a Korean on paper, you get permanent residence right away."
  • "Even if your points or income fall short, you can get approved if you pay money."
  • "Send a deposit to a government employee's personal bank account."
  • "The company must keep your original passport and Residence Card."

Even if you use an agency, check the qualifications of the certified administrative agent (행정사) or lawyer, their office, the contract, refund policy, and receipts. Do not believe anyone who says they guarantee approval.

Leaving Korea, Re-entry, and Status Changes

  • You must leave Korea or apply for an extension or status change before your Period of Stay ends.
  • For F-5 holders, the re-entry permit is usually exempted if you re-enter within 2 years after departure, but be sure to check before staying abroad for a long time.
  • Other registered foreigners may also be covered by re-entry exemption rules, but this depends on your Status of Stay, departure period, and any history of sanctions.
  • To change from F-1 or F-3 to a work status, you must meet the requirements of your desired job category anew.
  • You do not automatically move up from F-2 or F-4 to F-5. You undergo a separate permanent residence screening.
  • If your F-6 marriage relationship changes, check immediately for possibilities under F-6-2, F-6-3, or another Status of Stay.

5. Wrapping Up

Questions to Check for Yourself Before Applying

  • Have you, your parents, or your grandparents ever held the nationality of the Republic of Korea?
  • Do you have a Korean spouse or a Korean minor child?
  • What Status of Stay have you held in Korea, and how many years have you stayed legally?
  • Exactly what kind of work do you plan to do, and in which region?
  • Can you prove your income and assets for the most recent 1 year with official documents?
  • Do you have test scores or completion records for TOPIK or the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP)?
  • Are your spouse and children also entering Korea together? Do they also plan to work?
  • Do you have any violations related to crimes, immigration, taxes, or unpaid wages?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can all F visas work?

No. F-1 and F-3 are not allowed to work in principle. F-2 must also follow activity and regional conditions for its detailed code, and F-4 has restricted job types such as simple manual labor. F-5 and F-6 have no visa-based work restrictions.

If I have F-4, can I work right away in a factory or on a construction site?

If that work falls under simple manual labor, it is not allowed in principle. If a person who switched from H-2 to F-4 wants to continue doing the same work at the same reported workplace, check the separate special permission rules.

Can an F-3 spouse work part-time?

Not automatically. You must get permission to do activities outside your Status of Stay in advance. The primary status holder's status, your education and Korean language ability, and the work you plan to do must fall within the permitted scope.

If I get F-2-R, can I move to Seoul?

Regional residence and employment are key conditions. If you move without authorization, problems can arise with maintaining your status. Check for approvals from the recommending local government and the immigration office in charge before moving your residence or changing your workplace.

If I marry a Korean, do I get F-6 or permanent residence right away?

No. You undergo screening for a valid and genuine marriage, communication, income, housing, and criminal records. Even after receiving F-6, you apply for F-5 permanent residence by meeting a separate Period of Stay and requirements.

Does F-5 mean no procedures for the rest of my life?

No. You must have your Permanent Residence Card reissued every 10 years, and you must observe re-entry deadlines when staying abroad for a long time. You must also avoid grounds for cancellation, such as false documents or serious crimes.

In Closing

In the F series, what matters is not the "broad F number." You must look at the exact detailed code, the way employment is permitted, regional and family conditions, and the latest figures as of the application date. Policies, documents, and diplomatic mission practices can change. Right before submitting your documents, check all of these: the latest HiKorea manual, the immigration office in charge or 1345, and instructions from the Korean diplomatic mission where you will apply.

Official Sources

This document was written based on the following official materials:

Policies and schedules can change. Always confirm with the official sources before applying or departing.