F4 visa application target
1. A person who acquired a foreign nationality after having held South Korean nationality
2, A person who acquired a foreign nationality after having held South Korean nationality on either the parent or grandparent's side
Residence certificate, basic documents for F-4 visa application
1. F-4 integrated application form
2. Passport (remaining validity period of at least 6 months), passport copy
3. 1 photo (taken within 6 months)
4. Original citizenship certificate and copy
5. Basic certificate of loss of nationality or deregistration certificate (attach the certificate of loss of nationality if unreported)
6. Family relationship certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable)
7. Criminal record certificate with Apostilled (FBI CHECK, validity period changed to 6 months)
Exemption: Over 60 years old, under 13 years old, families of independent contributors, special contributors
- If you have stayed in another country for more than 1 year within the past 10 years, submit a criminal record certificate from the country of residence
8. Foreigner's employment and annual income declaration
9. Simple labor non-employment verification
10. Proof of residence (or accommodation confirmation)
11. Name change proof (if the name on the family register and foreign passport has changed)
12. Mlitary service certificate (if necessary)
*Required documents may vary depending on the type
• Restrictions on F-4 visa issuance related to military service issues
According to the amended Overseas Koreans Act, F-4 visas can be issued if citizenship was acquired before May 1, 2018 (date of acquisition on the citizenship certificate). However, if citizenship was acquired after this date, visa issuance is restricted until December 31 of the year in which the applicant turns 40. (Submit a military service certificate if necessary)
• Precautions when preparing F4 visa and residence certificate documents
- The validity period of all documents is 3 months from the date of issuance.
- The validity period for overseas criminal record certificates has been changed from the previous 3 months to 6 months
Documents for issuing visas for foreign spouses / minor children of overseas Koreans
Foreign spouses and minor children under 18 years old of overseas Koreans (F-4) (not congenital dual nationals) can apply for a visit and cohabitation (F-1-9) visa with a maximum validity of 1 year in Korea at the same time if the essential purpose of entry is recognized. From January 3, 2022, children of foreign nationals who hold a residence certificate and are enrolled in primary, secondary, and high schools in Korea can be issued an F-4 visa.
1.Original and copy of a valid passport
2.One standard size photo
3.Fee of 130,000 KRW
4.Alien Registration Card (for holders)
5.Overseas Koreans F-4 Unified Application Form (Appendix 1)
6.Foreign student elementary/middle/high school report <separate form> and a document that can prove current enrollment
7.Document proving that a direct ancestor was a Korean citizen (proof of family relationship details of the direct ancestor, detailed basic certificate)
8.De-registered copy or closed registration book, or other documents proving that the direct ancestor was a Korean citizen
9.Documents proving the reason and date of acquisition of foreign nationality for oneself and direct ancestors (copy of passport and citizenship certificate of direct ancestor who acquired foreign nationality)
10.Documents proving the relationship with the direct ancestor (birth certificate issued by the local embassy or consulate in Korea/official confirmation required, but if the family relationship can be confirmed by Korean family registration documents, official confirmation can be omitted)
11.Document proving the place of residence
<Family relationship proof documents (regarding loss of nationality/defection) in case of a child aged 0-18 of an overseas Korean holder>
- If the applicant has renounced or lost Korean citizenship
Basic Certificate (detailed) or Family Relationship
Certificate (detailed) issued within 3 months, or receipt of nationality renunciation (date of issue does not matter)
- If both parents had acquired foreign nationality at the time of the applicant's birth and the applicant is not a congenital dual citizen
-Overseas birth certificate
-parents' passport copies
-original and copy of parents' citizenship certificates.
<Family relationship proof documents in case of a spouse of an overseas Korean holder>
-If the applicant has renounced or lost Korean citizenship
Basic Certificate (detailed) and Family Relationship Certificate (detailed) issued within 3 months, or receipt of nationality renunciation (date of issue does not matter).
If you lost your nationality before 2008 and can't get the above documents, apply with a de-registered copy.
*If you are registered as married in Korea
-Marriage Relationship Certificate (detailed) in the name of the applicant or spouse
*If you are only registered as married overseas
-Original and copy of the marriage certificate
Extension application documents
*You can apply for an extension when there are 4 months or less remaining until the expiration of the stay period.
* Duration of stay granted at one time: 3 years in principle, but extension may not be permitted in case of violation of the law.
1.Original passport
2.Original residence card
3.One copy of the Basic Certificate or de-registered copy with the content of nationality renunciation
4.Document proving place of residence (can be replaced by a residence card extension notice)
5.Foreigner Job and Annual Income Report
6.Submit Overseas Criminal Record (if you have stayed overseas for 6 months or more)
Contents of changes in overseas Korean-related systems due to the expansion of the scope of overseas Koreans
1. Maintaining the basic framework of current regulations (only family generations limitation abolished)
*4th generation and later Koreans can now receive Korean-related residence qualifications.
-Includes Korean visit (C-3-8), visit employment (H-2), overseas Korean (F-4), and Korean permanent residence (F-5)
2. Obligation to submit Korean language proficiency certificate and overseas criminal record confirmation document
-When applying for a visa or changing/extending residence qualifications, you must submit a Korean language proficiency certificate and overseas criminal record document.
*Korean language proficiency certificate (one of the following)
-Pre-evaluation score report of the social integration program (21 points or more)
-Social integration program education certificate (completion certificate of level 1 or above)
-Korean language proficiency (TOPIK) Level 1 or higher
-Sejong Institute Beginner Level 1B or higher completion certificate
*Those who cannot submit these documents will be granted a stay of less than one year
*Documents confirming overseas criminal history
- (Submitters) Overseas Koreans aged 14 and over
- (Requirements for criminal history proof) Official documents issued by a competent authority of the relevant country within the last three months, including all criminal records in that country
※ If you have lived overseas for more than six months, your criminal record from the country of residence is included
3. Other improvements (Chinese and former Soviet Union Koreans)
*Issuance of a visit employment (H-2) visa for Chinese overseas Koreans without a lineage who hold a visit visa (C-3-8) (Implemented from July 1, 2020)
<Annual visit for employment (H-2) visa applicants (excluding those under 18)>
2020 applicants: Those who were issued a C-38 visa in 2015 and 2016
2021 applicants: Those who were issued a C3-8 visa before 2018
2022 applicants: Those who were issued a C-38 visa before 2020
2023 applicants: Those who were issued a C-3-9 visa after 2021
※ If a Chinese Korean without a direct lineage applies for a visit for employment (H-2) visa for the first time, the issuance of the visa is suppressed, and after the issuance of a visit for Koreans (C-3-38) visa, they can apply for a visit for employment (H-2) visa from 2022
*Granting overseas Korean (F-4) residence qualification to those who have completed the 4th level or higher of the social integration program or have been assigned to the 5th level by the social integration program's pre-assessment (however, after registering as a foreigner, the change can be made after 1 year has passed)
*Granting overseas Korean (F-4) residency qualification to those who have graduated from high school in Korea (including alternative schools recognized as regular education)
□ Exemptions for Korean language proficiency (those who fall under any of the following)
*Applicable to those who hold a visit for employment (H-2) or overseas Korean (F-4) visa
① Those who have submitted Korean language proficiency proof in other residency qualifications
② Those who previously held South Korean nationality
③ Those who are 60 years of age or older
④ Graduates of elementary school (including those who have passed the elementary school equivalency exam) or higher as defined in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (including those who have recognized elementary school education under Article 6 of the Alternative School Establishment and Operation Regulations)
⑤ Those re-entering after expiration of stay (H-2-7)
⑥ Those who are under 13 years of age (juveniles under criminal law)
⑦ Those who hold an overseas Korean (F-4) visa and have stayed in Korea for more than 3 years
③ Those who have acquired a national certificate of skills or higher in Korea
□ Exemptions from overseas criminal history checks (those who fall under any of the following)
*Applicable to holders of visit for Koreans (C-3-8), visit for employment (H-2), overseas Korean (F-4) visas
- Those who are 60 years of age or older
- Those who are under 13 years of age (juveniles under criminal law)
- Canadian citizens under 18
- National meritorious persons (independence meritorious persons) and their survivors or family members (applying Nationality Act Enforcement Decree Article 6 Paragraph 1 No. 1)
- Koreans of special merit (promoting national interests) (applying Nationality Act Enforcement Decree Article 6 Paragraph 1 No. 2)
- Those who have submitted a criminal history certificate from their home country (including those who are exempt from submission) and are residing in Korea, and have not continuously stayed overseas for 6 months or more
- Those re-entering after expiration of stay (H-2-7)
- Overseas Koreans (F-4) who are staying in Korea before the implementation date of these guidelines and are applying for an extension of stay,
- Those who were born in Korea or entered Korea before the age of 14 and have no record of continuously staying overseas for 6 months or more
※ However, if you have continuously stayed overseas for 6 months or more, you must submit the document.
□ Scope of employment restrictions for Overseas Koreans (F-4) status
1. In cases of simple labor acts
2. In cases where the acts are against good customs or other social order
-Employment in gambling businesses specified in Article 2, Paragraph 1, No. 1 of the Special Act on the Regulation and Punishment of Gambling Acts and Article 1, No. 2 of the Enforcement Decree of the same Act
-Working as an entertainer in adult entertainment establishments etc. specified in Article 36, Paragraph 2 of the Food Sanitation Act and Article 21, No. 8 of the Enforcement Decree of the same Act
-Employment in businesses against good customs specified in Article 2 of the Act on the Regulation of Sex Trade Businesses and Article 2 of the Enforcement Decree of the same Act
3. In other cases where it is deemed necessary to limit employment to maintain public interest or domestic employment order
*Details on the employment restrictions can be checked at Hi Korea.
<List of required documents for each type>
Change of status to H-2 spouse (F-1) after entering with C-3-8/C-3-9 or change of status to F-4 spouse (F-1) after entering with C-3-8/C-3-9
Required documents
1. Registration certificate fee -30,000 KRW
2. Unification application form / 1 photo
3. photocopy of passport
4. photocopy of Chinese Identity Card
5. photocopy of marriage license / photocopy of Chinese marriage certificate
6. spouse's income certificate
7. photocopy of spouse's alien registration card
8. spouse's identity guarantee
9. tuberculosis test result
10. photocopy of the ID card of the signatory of the lease or contract
11. residence/accommodation confirmation
12. Government income stamp - 100,000 won
If you enter as C-3-8 and change to H-2/F-4 child (F-1),
If you are a minor child
Required documents
1. Registration fee - 30,000 KRW
2. Unified application form / 1 photo
3. Passport photocopy
4. Household register photocopy
5. Birth certificate photocopy
6. 2 copies of marriage certificate
7. F-4 / H-2 registration certificate photocopy (copies of parents' registration certificates)
8. Tuberculosis test result for those over 6 years old
9. Rent contract
10. Residence / Accommodation confirmation letter
11. Photocopy of ID of the contract holder
12. Government revenue stamp - 100,000 KRW
13. In case of a child of a divorced person, a child born out of wedlock, or a child of a former husband/wife: custody rights in the judgment
Changing from C-3-8/F-1 to H-2
*Those who passed the first stage of the social integration test
*Those who passed TOPIK level 1
Required documents
1. Foreigner registration fee 30,000 KRW
2. Unified application form / 1 photo
3. Passport photocopy - including visa
4. Household register and Chinese ID photocopy
5. Confirmation of passing the first stage of the social integration test / TOPIK level 1 certificate
6. Notarization/certification of kinship, certification by the Korean consulate
7. Notarization/certification of non-criminal record, certification by the Korean consulate (exemption for those issued after October 1, 2019)
8. Early adaptation program completion certificate from the Ministry of Justice designated education place (exemption for F1 holders)
9. H-2 health checkup form - Ministry of Justice designated hospital
10. Rent contract - photocopy of ID of the contract holder
11. Residence / Accommodation confirmation letter
12. Government revenue stamp - 100,000 KRW
However, if various sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis B, tuberculosis, and other statutory infectious diseases are found in the health examination results, a treatment pledge must be submitted
1. Target:
Foreign nationals of Chinese and 6 CIS countries (including those with and without ties)
6 CIS countries: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan. Russia is excluded from November 1.
2. Age: 18 years and older
Changing from C-3-8/H-2/F-1/G-1 to elderly compatriots (F-4):
(Only for those 60 years and older)
Required documents
1. Registration fee - 30,000 KRW
2. Unified application form / 1 photo
3. Residence report
4. Passport photocopy - including visa
5. Household register and Chinese ID photocopy
6. Pledge of non-employment in simple labor jobs
7. Tuberculosis test result
8. Rent contract - photocopy of ID of the contract holder
9. Residence / Accommodation confirmation letter
10. Notarization/certification of kinship, certification by the Korean consulate
11. Government revenue stamp - 100,000 KRW
* C-3-8 holders need to register fingerprints
* 3 generations certification is required
* H2 holders - Foreigner's job and annual income report, income certificate submission is required
Changing from C-3-8 after entering the country and acquiring a skilled worker qualification to F-4:
(Only for compatriots, all compatriot-related stay qualifications apply)
Required documents
1. Registration fee - 30,000 KRW
2. Unified application form / 1 photo
3. Residence report
4. Passport photocopy / foreigner registration certificate photocopy
5. Chinese ID photocopy
6. Household register photocopy
7. Skilled worker qualification certificate photocopy
8. Qualification test pass confirmation
9. Pledge of employment in simple labor jobs
10. Tuberculosis test result
11. Rent contract - photocopy of ID of the contract holder
12. Residence / Accommodation confirmation letter
13. Notarization/certification of non-criminal record, certification by the Korean consulate - H-2 holders are excluded
14. Notarization/certification of kinship, certification by the Korean consulate
15. Government revenue stamp - 100,000 KRW
*H2 holders - Foreigner's job and annual income report, income certificate submission is required
Case of changing from F-1/H-2 to F-4 after passing the social integration test
Required documents
1. Registration fee - 30,000 KRW
2. Unified application form / 1 photo
3. Residence report
4. Passport copy / Alien registration card copy
5. Copy of Chinese ID
6. Copy of household register
7. Social Integration Program Certificate
8. Non-employment pledge for simple labor jobs
9. Kinship certification / Korean consulate certification - 3 generations
10. Non-criminal record certification / Korean consulate certification - Excludes H-2 holders
11. Rent contract
12. Residence / accommodation provision confirmation
13. Government revenue stamp - 100,000 KRW
*H2 holders must submit a foreigner job and annual income report, income certificate
Case of changing from C-3-8/F-1 with high school education or higher to F-4
*Applicable only to overseas Koreans who graduated from high school or higher in Korea
Required documents
1. Registration fee - 30,000 KRW
2. Unified application form / 1 photo
3. Residence report
4. Passport copy / Alien registration card copy
5. Copy of Chinese ID
6. Copy of household register
7. High school or higher diploma and graduation certificate
8. Non-employment pledge for simple labor jobs
9. Tuberculosis test result
10. Rent contract
11. Residence / accommodation provision confirmation
12 .Copy of ID of the contract holder
13. Kinship certification / Korean consulate certification - 3 generations
14. Non-criminal record certification / Korean consulate certification
15. Government revenue stamp - 100,000 KRW
Case of changing from H-2 manufacturing to F-4
*H-2 visa holders who have worked for 2 years in the same manufacturing, agriculture and livestock industry, fishing industry, root industry, or as a childcare assistant
*Excludes Seoul, Incheon, and some parts of Gyeonggi-do
*Includes Pocheon-si, Dongducheon-si, Guri-si, Gwacheon-si, Uiwang-si, Yeoncheon-gun, Anseong-si, Yeoju-si, Gapyeong-gun, Yangpyeong-gun in Gyeonggi-do - population less than 200,000
Required documents
1. Registration fee - 30,000 KRW
2. Unified application form / 1 photo
3. Passport copy
4. Copy of Chinese ID / Copy of household register
5. Non-employment pledge for simple labor jobs
6. Copy of business registration certificate
7. Certificate of employment - only for those who have reported employment start
8. Withholding receipt for the last 2 years / Income certificate
9. Rent contract - Copy of ID of the contract holder
10. Residence / accommodation provision confirmation
11. Kinship certification / Korean consulate certification - 3 generations
12. Foreigner job and annual income report
13. Government revenue stamp - 100,000 KRW
- Workers in root industries (casting, mold, heat processing, welding, surface treatment, heat treatment) can change regardless of the region
- Companies that have received a root company confirmation from the National Root Industry Promotion Center
- Childcare assistants need an education certificate / resident registration copy - employment insurance or salary account salary details for children under 11
- If the company closes, etc., without the fault of the person, and changes to the same business place within 3 months, the service period is recognized
<Permanent Residency>
Case of applying for F-5-14 (permanentresidency) for those who have worked in manufacturing for more than 4 years
* Those who hold a visit employment (H-2) qualification and meet all the following requirements
1.Those who are employed in manufacturing, agriculture and livestock industry, fishing industry, caregiver, housekeeping assistant, and have worked for more than 4 years without changing their workplace (including those who have changed to F-4 qualification) - Employment report required
※ If the workplace is changed to the same industry within 3 months due to unavoidable reasons such as wage non-payment and closure of the affiliated company, it is recognized as continuous employment
2.If you have changed from visit employment (H-2) to F4, you have worked for more than 3 years from the date of change, a total of 4 years
Required documents
1. Unified application form - 1 photo
2. Permanent residency qualification application review report
3. Passport / Alien registration card / Household register / Chinese ID
4. Rent contract / Deposit balance certificate
*The applicant and the family living together in the past year must have assets of more than 20 million KRW
5. Recommendation letter from the employer / Copy of business
6. registration certificate / Certificate of employment
7. Income certificate * The previous year's GNI must be above the total national income, (more than 37 million KRW)
8. Credit information inquiry certificate
9. Non-criminal record certification / certification and Korean consulate certification
10. Kinship public certification - entire family - 3 generations
11. Residence confirmation document (contract with a confirmed date)
12. Government revenue stamp - 200,000 KRW
Permanent residency (F-5-8) for overseas Koreans born in South Korea
◆ Application requirements
① Overseas Koreans born in South Korea and currently holding a residence (F-2) qualification
② Overseas Koreans born in South Korea and currently staying with a visit residence (F-1) qualification due to the expiration of the re-entry permit period, etc., after having held a residence qualification in the past.
③ Overseas Koreans born in South Korea who have had a residence qualification in the past and want to settle in Korea after emigration (complete departure) and re-immigration
*Basic qualification exemption
Required documents
1. Unified application form / photo (color, white background) - passport size
2. Permanent residency qualification application review report
3. Passport / Alien registration card
4. Household register issued by the Overseas Chinese Association / Birth certificate
5. Overseas criminal record certificate - Public / certified and Korean consulate certification - valid for 3 months
6. Residence confirmation document - valid contract with a confirmed date
7. Documents proving that the total income of the applicant, spouse, or cohabiting family (parents, children) who live together for the past 1 year as of the date of application for permanent residency qualification is 70% or more of the per capita total income (GNI) announced by the Bank of Korea
*If the number of cohabiting family members is 2 or less
- Income certificate (tax office)
- Withholding receipt for labor income
- Certificate of employment
- Copy of business registration certificate
- Account transaction history
* Regardless of the number of cohabiting family members if real estate and rent amount is more than 60 million KRW
* If there are 3 or more, it must be above GNI
Case of applying for F-5-6 (permanent residency) after staying for more than 2 years with the status of overseas Korean (F-4)
Required documents
1. Unified application form
2. Permanent residency qualification review report
3. Passport / Household register / Chinese ID / Alien registration card
4. Kinship public certificate (including parents/spouse/children)
5. Overseas criminal record inquiry certificate - Consulate confirmation / Basic qualification exemption
6. Residence confirmation document
7. Tuberculosis test result
8. Government revenue stamp 200,000 KRW
-In case of income being above GNI
*The combined income of the applicant or the family living together who paid income tax can be combined. However, the applicant's own income must be more than 50% of the annual income requirement - except for cases where the applicant is raising a minor child
- Income certificate, withholding receipt
-In case of paying property tax of more than 500,000 KRW in the previous year
- Tax payment fact certificate
In case of not having a property tax payment record but having a deposit balance certificate, housing ownership, etc., and having net assets above the average net assets of the "Household Financial Welfare Survey Results" of the previous year - Statistics Korea
(Net assets of more than 350 million KRW including parents, spouse, children)
- Credit information inquiry certificate / Property tax payment history certificate / Rent contract
-Those over 60 years old receiving overseas pensions and the pension is above the GNI of the previous year
- Pension certificate / Pension deposit passbook
-Those with an annual trade performance of more than 2 billion KRW with a Korean company
- Certificate of employment, copy of register, business registration certificate, export/import performance certificate, annual tax payment certificate
-Those who have invested more than 500,000 USD (approximately 600 million KRW) in South Korea
- Business registration certificate, copy of register, business place and housing lease contract, foreign investment company certificate, domestic investment proof material
-Representatives of overseas Korean organizations recognized by the government of the country of residence, (including those who have served as representatives in the past 3 years) or corporate representatives recommended by the head of an overseas consulate
-Recommendation letter from the head of an overseas consulate