Today, we will look into the required documents and target for the C-4-5 visa, which is one of the types of C-4 visas (short-term employment).
C-4 visas are short-term visas with a duration of 90 days or less. Therefore, like other short-term visas (C-3 visas), they are generally issued at the discretion of the local South Korean embassy or consulate, and the visa application should be made there.
Furthermore, similar to C-3 visas, unless there are exceptional circumstances (such as the presence of a government cooperation document), it is not possible to extend the stay beyond 90 days.
※if you enter South Korea and intend to extend your stay within the initial 90 days, you may be able to extend it for a maximum of 90 additional days if you have a valid reason. We recommend consulting with an expert regarding this matter.
The key difference between C-4 visas and C-3 visas, which are both short-term visas, lies in the fact that C-4 visa holders engage in profit-generating activities, such as receiving compensation or allowances.
While individuals on C-3 visas for short-term training purposes may receive expenses not exceeding their living expenses, C-3 visas are not considered work visas, and individuals are generally not allowed to engage in profit-generating employment within South Korea. On the other hand, C-4 visas are explicitly intended for short-term employment, where compensation or allowances are the primary purpose.
Therefore, regardless of the specific type of C-4 visa being applied for, it is essential to attach a contract containing details regarding compensation or allowances when applying for a C-4 visa. Depending on the type of C-4 visa, compensation or allowances may be paid by the hiring company in South Korea or by an overseas entity that has dispatched individuals to South Korea.
Now, let's explore the types of C-4 visas and the required documents for each category.
1. Installation, Maintenance, Shipbuilding, and Industrial Facility Production and Supervision of Imported Machinery
※ Compensation or allowances may be received not only within South Korea but also from overseas entities ◆ Required Documents ◆ ① Visa Application Form, Passport, One Standard-Sized Photo, Visa Fee
② Service Contract (or Purchase Contract, Business Contract, etc.) Copy
③ Dispatch Order or Business Trip Order
④ Inviting Company's Business Registration Certificate and a Copy of the Representative's ID
⑤ Confirmation of Accommodation Provision: If the inviting company provides accommodation
⑥ Proof of Relevant Work by the Invitee: Employment Certificate, Work Experience Certificate, etc.
2. Conversation Instruction for English Camps or etc of 90 Days or Less
※ Visas will not be issued for operating camps in locations not registered (reported) as lifelong education facilities
- Operating instruction in places not registered under lifelong education facilities is a violation of the private teaching institute Act.
- Conducting instruction for elementary and middle school students without registration as a school, educational institution, etc., is also a violation of the private teaching institute Act.
◆ Required Documents ◆
① Visa Application Form, Passport, One Standard-Sized Photo, Visa Fee
② Verification Documents for Academic Degrees (Choose One of the Following) - Copy of the Degree Certificate (Apostille Confirmation or Consular Confirmation from South Korean Embassy/Consulate Abroad/Apostille) - Proof of Degree Acquisition Issued by the Respective University (Apostille Confirmation or Consular Confirmation from South Korean Consulate Abroad) - Graduation Certificate Indicating Degree Acquisition (Apostille Confirmation or Consular Confirmation from South Korean Embassy/Consulate Abroad) ③ Criminal Record Certificate (Apostille or Consular Confirmation from South Korean Embassy/Consulate Abroad)
④ Employment Contract
⑤ Business Registration Certificate, Corporate Register Certificate, or Documents Related to the Establishment of the Educational Institution
⑥ Documents Related to the Declaration, Reporting, or Designation of Lifelong Education Facilities
⑦ Schedule of English Camp Operation and Class Hours (Indicating the Participating Foreigners' Hours)
3. Participation in Employment Activities such as Performances, Advertising, and Fashion Modeling or in Sports Competitions, Baduk Matches, Singing Contests, etc.
※ Includes artists who generate income through art exhibitions, sales of artwork, etc.
◆ Required Documents ◆
1.When performing under the Performing Arts Act ① Visa Application Form, Passport, One Standard-Sized Photo, Visa Fee
② Recommendation Letter from the Video Rating Commission (or the Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province for Jeju), exempting excluded performances from recommendation
③ Performance Plan, Performance Contract
④ If the invitee is a minor, a consent form from the legal guardian 2.When performing or engaging in entertainment activities at hotels, entertainment establishments, etc ① Visa Application Form, Passport, One Standard-Sized Photo, Visa Fee
② Recommendation Letter from the Video Rating Commission - Recommendations for performances such as music, singing, acrobatics, and magic at tourism establishments are not provided, excluding performances at "off-limits clubs for U.S. 8th Army personnel inside the base," tourism hotels of grade 3 or higher, tourist cruise ships, vacation condominiums, entertainment establishments, foreigner-exclusive restaurants, and auxiliary facilities of international conference facilities. - However, recommendations are provided for dance performances, including parades and musicals, with dance elements at registered performance venues under the Performing Arts Act (e.g., WALKERHILL HOTEL, Busan Lotte Hotel) and entertainment facilities (e.g., Everland, Lotte World, Seoul Land) and auxiliary facilities of international conference facilities (e.g., COEX, BEXCO, and Lotte Hotels).
③ Entertainment Activity Plan
④ Certificate of Qualification or Work Experience,
⑤ Certificate of Identity
⑥ If the invitee is a minor, a consent form from the legal guardian
3. Participation in Sports Competitions, Baduk Matches, Singing Contests, etc
① Visa Application Form, Passport, One Standard-Sized Photo, Visa Fee
② Invitation Letter or Participation Confirmation issued by the event organizer
③ Contract specifying remuneration or allowances received during the event - submission can be omitted if the content is included in the invitation letter, etc.
4. Advertising Models
① Visa Application Form, Passport, One Standard-Sized Photo, Visa Fee
② Business Registration Certificate
③ Registration Certificate for Public Culture and Arts Planning Business
④ Value-Added Tax (VAT) Taxable Amount Certificate
⑤ Certificate of Tax Payment
⑥ Other documents verifying the integrity of the company
⑦ Employment Contract, Certificate of Identity, Resume (in case of minors)
⑧ Contract for Advertising Shoots and Fashion Shows (Submit for each advertising project)
- When contracting between the advertiser and the inviting company: 1 copy each for the advertiser and the inviting company, and 1 copy for each foreigner invited by the inviting company (a total of 2 copies)
- When contracting with an advertising agency: 1 copy each for the advertiser, advertising agency, inviting company, and each foreigner invited by the inviting company (a total of 3 copies)
※ Mandatory inclusion in the contract: Method of payment, rights and obligations (copyright), signatures or seals of the contract parties
⑨ Overview of the Use of Models for Advertising Shoots and Fashion Shows (Provided by the advertiser), Plans for Domestic Activities
⑨ Other documents demonstrating the professionalism of the model
⑩ Proof of the previous invited foreigner's activities in South Korea, date of return, etc
- Submit only for cases with relevant information
※ Consular interview required
<Preferred Screening Criteria>
Inviting Company | A model management company that meets all of the following criteria ‣ Corporate Business Registration ‣Registration as a Public Culture and Arts Planning Business ‣ Minimum annual sales of over KRW 500 million in the past 3 years ‣ Employment of at least 5 Korean nationals as regular employees for the past 3 months ‣ Over 5 years of experience (or over 5 years of experience in the same industry by the CEO) ‣ No record of delinquency ‣ There should be no unrelated industries such as retail or wholesale trade on the business registration certificate, only related industries like management, entertainment, and modeling agencies should be listed. |
Foreigner | Not from a country with a high incidence of illegal stay or other legal violations. Countries with a high incidence of illegal stay: China, Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Mongolia, Thailand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Peru |
5. Other Cases
① Visa Application Form, Passport, One Standard-Sized Photo, Visa Fee
② Employment Recommendation Letter from the relevant central administrative agency or documents proving the need for employment
※ Employment Recommendation Letter: Recommendations from the Korea Communications Commission for broadcast performers, etc.
※ Documents proving the need for employment: Recommendations from associations (federations) for sports players, coaches, referees, etc., or a letter of cooperation from the responsible organization explaining the reason for the invitation and the activity plan
③ If the invitee is a minor, a consent form from the legal guardian
Professors (E-1) or Individuals Eligible for Specific Activities (E-7) conducting lectures, speeches, and research activities (University Professors or Professionals in Related Fields)
◆ Eligibility ◆
- Visiting professors, etc., who conduct short-term lectures, research, etc., for up to 90 days based on contracts that generate income exceeding the usual living expenses, at educational institutions of at least college level
- If generate income not exceeding the usual living expenses with airfare and accommodation, it is categorized as a C-3 visa
◆ Required Documents ◆
① Visa Application Form, Passport, One Standard-Sized Photo, Visa Fee
② Employment (Lecture/Presentation) Contract or Invitation Letter indicating the remuneration amount, and a letter of cooperation requesting visa issuance
③ Copy of the applicant's degree certificate and employment certificate
④ Documents related to the establishment of the inviting educational institution, such as a copy of the business registration certificate or all corporate registration information
※ For one-time lectures, speeches, consulting activities, etc., based on an invitation, it is not only a C-4-5 visa, possible to proceed with other short-term visas (C-3, B-1, B-2).