Korea foreigner visa types & renewal guide (2026)

Korea's residence-status system at a glance

Korea operates more than 30 residence statuses for foreigners depending on the purpose and duration of stay. They are broadly grouped into short-term (under 90 days: C-3, B-2 visa waivers, tourism/business), medium- and long-term (E-7, F-2, etc., on 1–3 year cycles), and permanent residence (F-5) / naturalization. An entry visa is the pre-approval issued by a Korean embassy abroad, while staying in Korea for more than 90 days requires the Alien Registration Card (ARC) — which shows your residence status (e.g., E-7), period of stay, and address, and is used for daily ID, opening bank accounts, and signing up for mobile service. This guide covers the eight residence statuses most commonly used by foreigners living in Korea (E-7, E-9, D-2, D-10, F-2, F-4, F-5, F-6), along with renewal and change-of-status procedures. For short-term entry (K-ETA, B-2), see the visa tool separately.

Eight major residence statuses

• E-7

  Special activity (skilled foreign worker)

  Foreigners in 85 designated skilled fields — IT, design, research, education, etc. Eligibility: bachelor's degree + 1+ year related experience, or master's or higher. Requires an invitation letter and business registration of the employer. Extended in 1–3 year cycles.

• E-9

  Non-professional employment (Employment Permit System)

  Non-professional workers from countries with EPS agreements with Korea. Permitted in manufacturing, agriculture/livestock, fisheries, construction, and certain services. Extended yearly, up to 4 years 10 months total. Return to home country is the standard after expiration.

• D-2

  Student (degree program)

  Enrolled at a Korean 4-year university (bachelor's, master's, doctoral) or junior college degree program. Requires admission letter and proof of financial means. Extended per semester. After graduation, change to D-10 (job-seeking) or other statuses.

• D-10

  Job-seeking

  For job-seekers or startup preparers after obtaining a Korean or overseas degree. General (D-10-1) extends in 6-month cycles; advanced/professional (D-10-2) in 1-year cycles. Maximum 2 years. Convert to E-7 etc. upon hiring.

• F-2

  Residency (long-term)

  Skilled workers and points-based residents. Under the F-2-7 points system, applicants need 80+ points based on education, income, Korean language proficiency, and age. After 5 years, eligible to apply for F-5 (permanent residence). Family accompaniment and free employment allowed. Extended in 3-year cycles.

• F-4

  Overseas Korean

  Koreans who emigrated abroad and their direct descendants (typically up to 3–4 generations). Free economic activity except simple labor or vice industries. Extended in 3-year cycles, with easy transition to F-5. Requires proof of Korean heritage.

• F-5

  Permanent residence

  Permanent right to reside in Korea. Requires 5+ years of legal stay plus points/income/Korean-language requirements. No renewal needed, though the permanent residence card is reissued every 10 years. Free employment, family accompaniment — effectively Korea's permanent residency.

• F-6

  Marriage migration

  Spouse of a Korean citizen. Requires marriage registration, residence in Korea, and basic financial conditions. After 2 years of residence, eligible for F-5 (permanent residence) or naturalization. Free employment and family accompaniment. Extended in 1–2 year cycles.

Renewal and extension procedure

Korean residence statuses (visas) must be renewed by the expiration date to maintain lawful stay. Applications are typically accepted starting 4 months before expiration. If the expiration date passes, your stay becomes illegal and can affect future visa applications.

1. 11. Check timing — Apply between 4 months before and the expiration date. Late applications within 30 days after expiration are possible but incur a fine.
2. 22. Choose the channel — Apply online via HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) or book a visit to your jurisdictional immigration office. Online has shorter wait times.
3. 33. Prepare the required documents — Integrated application form, passport (original + copy), Alien Registration Card, one color photo (3.5×4.5cm), plus status-specific documents (proof of funds, employment certificate, school enrollment, etc.).
4. 44. Pay the fees — Period extension KRW 60,000, status change KRW 100,000, ARC reissue KRW 30,000 (2026). Stamp fees apply separately.
5. 55. Wait for result — Typically 2–4 weeks. After approval, the ARC is reissued. Your stay is automatically extended once the application is filed (provisional stay recognition).

Status change — switching to a different visa

If your purpose changes while in Korea, you can apply for a status change. Common paths: (1) D-2 student → D-10 job-seeking → E-7 employment, (2) F-6 marriage migration → F-5 permanent, (3) E-9 non-professional → E-7 professional (with separate qualifications). Status change is stricter than simple extension. You must meet all the new visa's requirements (education, experience, finances, points, etc.), and some routes (e.g., E-9 to a residence-type visa) may require leaving and re-entering Korea. The fee is KRW 100,000 and processing typically takes 4–8 weeks.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Alien Registration Card (ARC) the same as a visa?

No. A visa is the entry permit issued by a Korean embassy abroad; the ARC is the ID card issued after staying in Korea for 90+ days. The ARC shows your residence status (e.g., E-7) and period of stay, and is used for daily ID, banking, mobile, and driver's license.

What happens if I leave Korea right before my visa expires?

A single-entry visa becomes void upon departure, so you must obtain a new visa abroad. With a multiple-entry visa or an ARC, you can freely re-enter within the visa's validity. Note that if you stay abroad for more than 1 year, your ARC can be automatically revoked.

How is period extension different from status change?

Extension keeps the same visa (e.g., E-7 → E-7) and only extends the period; the fee is KRW 60,000. Status change switches visas (e.g., D-2 → E-7); the fee is KRW 100,000, you must meet all requirements of the new visa, and screening is stricter.

How do family members accompany me?

Spouses and minor children of medium-/long-term visa holders can accompany under the F-3 visa. F-3 alone does not permit employment; to work, a separate status change is required. Children of F-2, F-5, or F-6 holders typically get a more favorable status based on the parent's.

How is the F-2 points system calculated?

F-2-7 uses points from education (up to 30), Korean proficiency (up to 20), annual income (up to 30), and age (up to 15). Applicants with 80+ points are eligible. Categories and weights change annually — verify on HiKorea's points-system page.

What conditions are needed for F-5 permanent residence?

Generally 5+ years of legal residence in Korea plus stable means (income/assets), Korean language proficiency, and meeting points criteria. F-2-7 residents can move to F-5 after another 5 years; F-6 marriage migrants can apply after 2 years of residence with their Korean spouse.

What happens if I miss the renewal deadline?

Late applications within 30 days after expiration are possible with a fine (KRW 100K–1M depending on duration). Over 30 days late triggers illegal-stay status, which can lead to an exit order, deportation, or future visa restrictions. Apply before expiration.

What if I lose my Alien Registration Card?

Report the loss within 7 days at the nearest immigration office and apply for reissuance. Fees are KRW 30,000 plus a photo and a report form. A temporary ID can be issued, and a new ARC typically arrives within 2–4 weeks.

Related tools and guides

• → K-ETA / short-term visa eligibility tool
• → Foreigners' four-insurance enrollment (calculator)
• → Income tax for foreigners — resident vs non-resident
• → View all guides