Visa
Overview
All international students and schoalrs need to acquire an appropriate type of visa that corresponds to their purpose of visit before coming to Korea. The type of visa you receive will vary depending on the length and purpose of visit, your individual status, and else.
| Type D | Type E | Type F |
|---|---|---|
| Person staying for educational, cultural, and investment-related activities | Person staying for professional, non-professional activities | Person staying on Dependent Family, Resident, Overseas Korean, Permanent resident, Marriage migrant Status |
Visa Type
| Status of Stay | Eligibility | Period of Stay |
|---|---|---|
| D-2 (Student) | Person who have received a formal education at an educational institution such as college or higher - International students pursuing associates, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degress or enrolling in a research course - Exchange Student - International Students in work-learning courses (government sponsored scholarship students or else) - Visiting Student (enrolled in foreign universities and who take regular courses at domestic universities for less than 1 year) |
2 years * Extendable |
| D-10 (Job Seeker) | Person engaging in job-seeking activities for employment, preparing a start-up, or doing internship in high-tech field at a company meeting the relevant requirements | 6 months * Extendable |
| E-1 (Professor) | Person who carry out education, research, or guidance at an educational institution such as college or higher | 5 years * Extendable |
| E-3 (Research) | Researchers in the field of natural science or high technology industry | 5 years * Extendable |
| F-2 (Resident) | Long-term residents, person recognized as refugees, or investors meeting certain requirements, and whose livelihood is based in Korea | 5 years * Partial Restrictions on Employment |
| F-3 (Dependent Family) | Spouse or underage children of a person eligible for Arts and Culture (D1) to Special Occupation (E7) status | During accompanying * Work Not Permited |
| F-4 (Overseas Korean) | Overseas Koreans with foreign nationality who fall under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Overseas Korean Act | 3 years * Unskilled labor not permitted |
| F-5 (Permanent Resident) | Person staying in Korea for the purpose of permanent residency who receive treatment similar to that of a Korean national | Permanent * No Restrictions on Employment |
| F-6 (Marriage Migrant) | Person married to a Korean national | 3 years * No Restrictions on Employment |
| C-3-1 (Short-term Visit) | Person who want to visit Korea in less than 90 days without working or any commercial activities | 90 days |
If you need more detailed information on immigration procedures and how to apply for a visa, please visit:
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 |
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| Online Civil Service for Foreigners | Korea Immigration Service | Korea Visa Portal |
If students are already in Korea, you can also consult the Korea Immigration Call Center by dialing 1345 (without area code) from a local or mobile phone from anywhere in Korea. The Call Center operates consulations in a variety of languages. It is available during working hours (09:00 - 18:00, weekday)
Required Documents
| Documents | Foreigner Registration* | Visa Extension | Visa Change | Reporting Change of Address, Passport | ||||
| D-2-3, 4, 6 |
D-2-5 | E-1, 3 |
D-4 → D-2 | D-2 → E-3 | E-3 ↔ E-1 | |||
| Application Form | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Passport | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Proof of Residence | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ (address) |
| Passport Photo (3.5 x 4.5cm) |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ (passport) | |||
| Alien Registration Card (ARC) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Process Fee | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Enrollment Certification | ✔ (D-2 only) | |||||||
| Letter of Admission | ✔ | |||||||
| Certificate of Admission | ✔ | |||||||
| Proof of Finance | ✔ | ✔ | ✔*** | |||||
| Transcript | ✔ | |||||||
| Confirmation of Thesis Schedule | ✔ | |||||||
| Research Student Confirmation | ✔ | ✔ (D-2-5 only) | ||||||
| POSTECH Business Registration | ✔ (E-1,3 only) | ✔ | ✔** | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Employment Agreement | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Final Diploma | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Foreigner Occupation and Annual Income Report Form | ✔ | |||||||
| Tuberculosis Check-Up Report | Required for nationals of Tuberculosis High-Risk Countries who have not submitted it to a Korean Embassy or Immigration Office at least once | |||||||
| Online Application Availability | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
* Regarding the other required documents, please visit Alien Registration Tab
** Those who received final diploma from China, there is additional documents to be submitted
*** Students from Vietnam must submit a certificate of study abroad expenses balance issued by a bank in the form of payment retention
Overview
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All foreigners staying in Korea for longer than 90 days must register within 90 days from the date of entry to Korea according to Article 31 (Alien Registration) of the Immigration Control Act. Contact of Pohang Immigration Office
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09:00 - 18:00, weekday
+82-54-247-5363
135 Woochangdong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Pohang, Gyeong-BukAlien Registration Process
| Who | Applicant | ➡ | Pohang Immigration Office | ➡ | Applicant |
| What | Visit and Submission of Application | Issuance of Alien Registration Card | Visit and Receive the Alien Registration Card | ||
| Where | Pohang Immigration Office | Pohang Immigration Office | Pohang Immigration Office | ||
| Time | 1 day | 3-4 weeks | 1 day |
Required Documents
Common Required Documents
○ Passport (with a copy of the pages containing personal information and visa on passport)
○ Application form from the Immigration Office
○ 1 Color Photo (3.5 x 4.5cm, on white background, taken within past 6 months)
○ Process Fee: 30,000 KRW (Government Revenue Stamp)
○ Documents to prove Place of Residence (Lease Contract, Certificate of Accommodation, Advance Notice on Expiration of Stay, Utility Bill Paymenr Receipt, orelse)
* Student or schoalr living at on-campus housing can download the Proof of Residence from POVIS
Additional Required Documents according to the Status
○ D-2 (Overseas Study): Certificate of Studentship
○ E-1 (Professor): Copy of Business Registration
○ E-3 (Research): Copy of Business Registration
○ F-2 (Residency): Korean's Certificate of Marriage showing Marriage Status, Korean's Certified Resident Registration, Korean Reference (for Spouse of Korean National)
○ F-3 (Family Dependency): Spouse or Parents' Alien Registration Card Copy
○ F-5 (Permanent Residency): Copy of Business Registration
Reporting Changes of Particulars of Alien Registration Card
If any of the following happens to registered foreigners, the changes to the registration details must be reported to the local Immigration Office within 15 days of its occurrence.
○ Changes that must be reflected on Alien Registration Card
- Name, Gender, Date of Birth, or Nationality
- Passposrt No., Date of Issuance, or Expiration Date
- Details of the Organization (Including Name Changes) that Overseas Study (D-2) Status Holders belong to
○ How to report changes in details on Alien Registration Card
- Report to the local immigration office with the required documents. It may be made in person, or through an appointed agent.
○ Required Documents
- Passport and Alien Registration Card
- Application Form of Report on Changes of Particulars of Alien Registration Card
○ Notes
- If a registred foreigner does not report the aforementioned changes to the details of the Alien Registration Card within 14 days of the change, he/she will be considered to be in breach of Immigration Act Article 35, and will be fined accordingly.
Alien Registration Card Re-Issuance
○ Reasons for Re-Issuance
- Lost or stolen registration cards
- Damaged registration cards
- Lack of space for necessary items to be displayed
- Changes in details on the existing card (name, gender, date of birth, and nationality)
* Application for re-issuance must be made within 14 days of the above reasons
○ Required Documents for Re-Issuance
- Passport
- Application Form for Re-Issuance of Alien Registration Card
- Document stating reason for re-issuance application (where lost)
- 1 color photo (3.5 x 4.5cm, when your previous photo is more than 6 months old)
- Old registration card (if existing card is rendered useless from wear/tear, lack of space, or change of details arise as per Article 35 Section 1 of the Act)
- Process Fee: 30,000 KRW
○ Re-Issuance Location: Local Immigration Office
Reasons for Returning Alien Registration Card
○ Alien Registration Card Must be Returned to the Immigration Office upon Following Resaons
- Final Departure
- Abandoning Foreign Citizenship and Acquiring a Korean Nationality
- Upon Death
- Applicable for Alien Registration Exemption
Alien Registration Card Carriage and/or Present
○ All foreigners must carry a passport, visa, or a Alien Registration Card while in Korea (Those under 17 are exempt from this duty)
○ All foreigners must comply with requests to display passports or Alien Registration Card by Immigration Officers or other such public officers (including public administrators of city, province, or town), if they are performing their official duties
○ Failure to comply with such requests will result in punishment as according to Immigration Act Article 27
Services Provided by the Pohang Immigration Office
○ Extending the period of stay to over 90 days after arrival for those with a single-entry visa
○ Extending the period of stay for less than 10 days to prepare for departure
○ Extending the period of stay or granting re-entry of registered aliens
○ Granting Status of Sojourn for those with Residence (F-2) Status
For more information regarding Alien Registration, please visit Hi Korea
Extension of Stay
In case of expiration of permission of stay, the foreigner shall receive permission for extension of stay if he/she desires to stay continuously in Korea
○ Procedure of Permission for Extension of Stay
| Who | Applicant | ➡ | Pohang Immigration Office | ➡ | Applicant |
| What | Submit Application for Extension | Examination & Permission | Receive the new Status on Passport and ARC | ||
| When | Before the Expiration | - | - |
* For permission, the Immigration Office will change residence qualification affixed on the passport and descript on Alien Registration Card
○ Application Period for Extension
The foreigner shall apply before 4 months from the current expiration date to the expiration date.
In case of applying for the extension after the expiration date, the individual shall pay the penalty according to Article 25 of Immigration Act.
○ How to Apply for Permission for Extension of Stay
- In person: present the required documents to the local immigration office (may be applied by an appointed agent)
- Online: access Hi Korea website
○ Required Document: Please check the Required Documents Tab
Change of Stay
Foreigners must receive permission to change of status of their stay if they want to participate in new activities which is not relevant or permitted for current status.
○ Procedure of Change of Residence Status
| Who | Applicant | ➡ | Pohang Immigration Office | ➡ | Applicant |
| What | Submit Application for Change of Status | Examination & Permission | Receive the new Status on Passport and ARC | ||
| When | Before engage in work or activities | - | - |
* For permission, the Immigration Office will change residence qualification affixed on the passport and descript on Alien Registration Card
* Application of Change D-4 to D-2 is available online
○ Application Period for Extension
In order to engage in work or activities not permitted by the current status of stay, a permission to change the status must be obtained from the local immigration office
prior to engaging in the new owrk or activities.
If foreigners apply for the change of the status after the expiration date on ARC, a fine is imposed according to Article 25 of the Immigration Act.
○ How to Apply for Permission for Extension of Stay
Present the Required Documents to the local immigration office (may be applied by an appointed agent)
○ Required Document: Please check the Required Documents Tab
Overview
Foreign students (D-2) are not allowed to work and earn income while on the student status as defined by the Immigration Act. However, it is only possible for international students with a student visa to apply for part-time work outside the university if permission is granted by the Immigration Office and the University(ISSS) in advance (Not allowed for D-2-5). The part-time work should be related to student's major or be able to combine with studies.
○ Applicant Eligibility
- Grade Requirement: The average grade for the most recent semester, as of the application date, must be a minimum of C (2.0) or above
- If you do not have a grade as it is the first semester should meet the Langage Qualification below
; TOPIK Level 4, TOEFL 530, TOEFL CBT 197, TOEFL iBT 71, IELTS 5.5, CEFR B2, TEPS 601 or above
; Those who do not meet the TOPIK Level, are allowed to work up to half of the maximum permissible hours
; Students from countries which has English as mother language or common language do not need the English Certificates above
○ Maximum Working Hours
| Degree | TOPIK | Available Hours | |
| Weekday | Weekend or Break | ||
| Master / Doctoral | Level 4 or higher | 15 hours | |
| None or Lower than Level 4 | 30 hours | Unlimited | |
Procedure & Requirement of Permission to Part-Time Work
1. Get a Part-Time Work
Prepare the following 3 documents providing the employment:
○ Copy of the Certificate of Business Registration of the Workplace
○ Standard Employment Contract (Working Period, Hours, Hourly Wage, and Job Duty must be stated specifically and Signed by both Employer and Student)
○ Part-Time Work of Foreign Student Confirmation Form (Employer's signature must be included)
* If 'Manufacturing' or 'Construction' is the business types on the Certificate of Business Registration of the Workplace, Part-Time Work of Foreign Student Compliance Confirmation Form and a Copy of Employer's ID Card are Required
2. Visit ISSS
Bring the 3 documents from Step 1. to ISSS with extra requirements below to get the confirmation at least 5 working days prior to the start.
○ ARC
○ Transcript of the Previous Semester
○ Official TOPIK Score Report (if applicable)
3. Visit Pohang Immigration Office or access Hi Korea Website
Bring all requirements from Step 1-2. confirmed by ISSS of POSTECH with Passport and ARC and get Permission for Part-Time Work.
4. Start Part-Time Work
Types that Require Permission
○ Translation / Interpretation Assistant
○ Restaurant Assistant
○ Office Assistant
○ Tour Guide Assistant
○ Duty-Free Shop Sales Assistant
○ Internships falling under E1 - E7 visa during the Vacation (D-2-7 Visas Holder is available even during semester)
○ Profitable Research or Internship Activities*
* Participating in research or internship activities NOT ASSOCIATED with academics at affiliated university
* Participating in research or internship activities ASSOCIATED with academics at outside affiliated university
Types that Exempted from Permission
Activities that are not carried out as a job but receive temporary rewards, prize money, or other remuneration as long as they don't affect academic activities or studies are exempted from the permission.
○ Working at the Home Institution as a Class Assistant, Librarian, or else
○ Temporary Assistance with House Chores or Office Work
○ Participation in a Movie, Show, or Event for Once Only
○ Profitable Research or Internship Activities*
* Participating in research or internship activities ASSOCIATED with academics at affiliated university
Restricted Types of Part-Time Work
○ Private Tutoring, Home Study Teacher (e.g., Kumon)
○ Construction
○ Delivery Worker, Replacement Driver
○ Insurance Agent, Door-to-door Salesman
○ Manufacturing*
○ Types of Work Falling Under E-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10
○ Works at Foreign Language Educational Institution for the Minors (e.g., English Cafe for Kids, English Camp, or else)**
○ Any other fields that are against the social order and virtue (e.g., Adult Entertainment, Casino, or else)
○ Work by Dispatch, Subcontract, Meditation
○ Workplace located more than 90 minutes from university
* Exceptionally allowed for permission if the workplace falls under manufacturing industry with other types of business that are not included in restricted workplace (e.g., Sales & Manufacture, Cafe & Manufacture, or else)
** Exceptionally alloed for permission if working as safety assistants and play assistants at an English Kids Cafe or English Camp with a Certificate of Criminal history record issued by one's national government & a physical examination form for recruitment issued by the medical institution designated by the Ministry of Justice (including drug test results)
Obligations to Report
If any of the following incidents should occur to a registered foreigner, it must be reported to the local immigration office within 15 days from its occurrence. A registered foreigner's failure to report the aforementioned incidents within 15 days from the date of occurrence by will be considered a violation of Article 35, 36 of the Immigration Act. As such, he/she will have to pay a penalty fine.
Incidents to Report
○ Change in Place of Residency
○ Change in Name, Gender, Date of Birth, Nationality
○ Change in Passport No., Date of Issue, Validity Period
○ Change in Organization or Entity (including change in Name of it) for which a Foreigner is Employed or Enrolled
○ Change in Occupation or Annual Income Amount (D-7, 8, 9, E-1 to 10, F-2, 4, 6, H-2 Status)
Required Documents
Items subject to change depending on individual circumstances.
○ Passport & Alien Registration Card
○ Application Form
○ Verifying Documents for the Changed Matters
Re-Entry Permit
Registered foreigners will be allowed to re-enter Korea within 1 year from the date of departure without having to obtain a re-entry permit in advance. You are exempt from applying for the Re-Entry Permit if you are re-entering within 1 year after your departure and before the expiration date on y our Alien Registration Card (ARC). If you are intending to re-enter the country after spending more than a year abroad should apply for a Multiple Re-entry Permit. You may find Required Documents at Hi Korea.
Health Examination
All international students from tuberculosis high-risk countries below should take a medical check-up for tuberculosis upon their arrival in Korea before applying for Alien Registration due to a policy regulated by the Ministry of Justice of Korea.
Nepal, East Timor, Laos, Russia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, India, Indonesia, China, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Pakistan, Philippines, Nigeria, Republic of South Africa, Belarus, Mozambique, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Angola, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Tajikistan, Peru