Visa & Immigration
Which visa do you need?
Korean visa types, how to get your ARC card, and the pitfalls that trip up most newcomers.
Last updated: May 2026
Visa Finder
Find your visa
Answer two questions and we'll point you to the right visa.
Why are you coming to Korea?
This is for informational purposes only. Always verify with the Korean Immigration Service or your nearest Korean embassy.
Visa Types
Verified May 2026Compare visa types
Select a category to compare visa purpose, duration, and work rights.
| Visa | Purpose | Duration | Work | Key docs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D-2 Student Visa | Enrolled in a Korean university or language institute | Duration of study program, typically 1-2 years | Yes Part-time work allowed (up to 20 hrs/week with permission) |
|
| D-4 General Training Visa | Korean language studies, short-term training programs | Up to 1 year, extendable | No Work not permitted without additional permission |
|
| D-4-7 K-Culture Training Visa | Training in K-pop performance, dance, modeling, beauty, and content creation at designated institutions. Part of the D-4 general training family. No audition or agency contract is required to apply. | Up to 1 year, extendable | No Training only; paid performances or modeling jobs require a separate E-6 or C-4 work visa |
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Visa regulations change. Always verify current requirements at hikorea.go.kr or your nearest Korean embassy.
ARC Card
How to get your ARC
If you're in Korea on a long-stay visa, you need an Alien Registration Card. It's required for nearly everything — bank accounts, phone plans, health insurance.
Within 90 days of arrival
You must register for an ARC (Alien Registration Card) within 90 days of arriving in Korea on a long-stay visa. Failing to register is a violation and can result in fines.
Make an appointment
Book an appointment at the Hi Korea website (hikorea.go.kr) or call 1345 for the nearest immigration office. Walk-ins are possible but wait times can be 2-4 hours.
Documents to bring
Passport + visa, 2 passport photos (3.5cm x 4.5cm), completed application form, proof of address, fee (30,000 KRW), and any employer/school documents.
At the immigration office
Take a number, wait, submit your documents, get fingerprinted. The officer will keep your passport temporarily and give you a receipt.
Processing time
About 2-3 weeks. You'll receive a text when ready. You can track status on Hi Korea. Pick up in person at the same office.
Book at Hi Korea
Online appointments save you the 2-4 hour walk-in wait.
Seoul immigration offices
Seoul Foreign Population Office (Mapo)
27 Eoulmadag-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
You can register at any immigration office nationwide. Call 1345 to find the nearest one to you.
Watch Out
Common pitfalls
Visa violations can lead to fines, deportation orders, and bans on re-entry. Know these before they catch you off guard.
Working at a second school without permission
E-2 holders can only work at their sponsoring employer. Any additional teaching requires a separate work authorization from immigration. Violation can result in deportation.
Overstaying during school breaks
Your visa must be valid even during breaks. Check your visa expiry date — not just your school calendar. Apply for extension at least 2 weeks before expiry.
Changing employers/schools without updating ARC
You must notify immigration within 15 days of changing employers. Failure to report is technically a violation. Visit your local immigration office or use Hi Korea online.
Working on a tourist visa
Any paid work on a C-3 visa is illegal. This includes English tutoring, content creation for Korean companies, and remote work paid by Korean entities. The consequences can be severe.
Agency not registered as 대중문화예술기획업
Since 2024, immigration officers verify that your sponsoring agency holds an active 대중문화예술기획업 (mass culture arts planning business) license with entertainment-only scope. If the agency lacks this registration, your E-6-1 application will be rejected regardless of your experience. Always confirm the license before signing a contract.
Doing any work for Korean clients on the Digital Nomad visa
The F-1-D visa is strictly for income earned from a non-Korean employer. Doing paid or even unpaid consulting, freelance work, or services for any Korean individual or company violates the visa conditions and can result in deportation and a multi-year entry ban. This includes informal arrangements and online gig work delivered to Korean clients.
Leaving an EPS employer without Ministry approval
E-9 holders are tied to their registered employer. Leaving without Ministry of Employment and Labor approval is treated as an unauthorized absence and can immediately invalidate your visa status. If you are experiencing mistreatment or unsafe conditions, contact the EPS center (1350) before leaving — there is a formal process to change employers in documented hardship cases.
Not booking your ARC appointment on day 1 or 2 of arrival
ARC appointments at busy offices fill up fast — sometimes 4-6 weeks out. Book the moment you arrive at hikorea.go.kr or call 1345. You must register within 90 days of entry. Bring two passport photos; there is a photo booth inside most immigration offices (cash only, around KRW 6,000-8,000). Mobile ARC (launched January 2025) is now accepted at banks and many government services, but you still need to complete the registration in person first.
Assuming the income threshold stays fixed — it changes every year with Korea's GNI
The F-1-D income requirement is set at approximately twice Korea's per-capita GNI, which is recalculated every year. The threshold for 2025 is around KRW 88M, but verify the current figure before applying. Spousal or household income cannot be combined to meet the threshold — only your own individual income counts. All supporting documents (payslips, bank statements, employment contract) must be dated within 3 months of your application.
Divorce affecting visa status
F-6 is tied to your Korean spouse. Divorce doesn't automatically end your visa, but you'll need to notify immigration and may need to transition to another visa type, especially if you have children.
Have a visa question?
Call the immigration helpline at 1345 — they have English support.
What Changed
Recent visa rule changes
2024-2026 updates that affect your plans. Always verify with HiKorea or a licensed immigration consultant before applying.
E-7 unified wage standard
The old tiered wage system based on company size was replaced with a single unified floor in April 2025. The 2026 floor for E-7-1 holders is KRW 31.12M per year (effective February 1, 2026). Important: bonuses and allowances do not count toward this threshold, only base salary.
F-1-D Workation (Digital Nomad) visa launched
Korea opened a dedicated Digital Nomad visa (F-1-D) for remote workers employed by non-Korean companies earning KRW 88M+ per year. Now a permanent program. No work for Korean clients allowed, even informally.
Top-Tier Talent Visa launched
New elite track for STEM, biotech, and advanced-tech professionals. Grants F-2 residency immediately; F-5 permanent residency eligible after 3 years. Salary shortcut: earning 4x Korea GNI per year waives all degree and experience requirements.
K-STAR expanded to 32 universities
The K-STAR fast-track for Korean university STEM graduates now covers 32 partner universities. STEM grads can skip the standard E-7 route and go directly to F-2 residency status, with a path to F-5 permanent residency.
F-3 in-country dependent applications ended
Dependents can no longer apply for F-3 status from inside Korea. They must now obtain F-3 at a Korean consulate in their home country before arriving. Plan visa logistics before travel.
e-Arrival Card mandatory; K-ETA exemption extended
From January 1, 2026, all arriving travelers must complete the electronic Arrival Card before boarding or at the airport kiosk. The K-ETA visa waiver exemption for eligible nationalities was also extended through December 31, 2026.
E-9 EPS quota cut to 80,000
The annual EPS quota for E-9 workers dropped from 165,000 in 2024 to 80,000 in 2026. Expect longer waiting times and more competition for available slots from sending countries.
E-6-1 modeling requirements tightened
Following a 2024 trafficking-screening expansion, E-6-1 modeling now requires 3+ years of documented experience, an MCST recommendation letter, and an agency registered as 대중문화예술기획업. Bilingual contracts are mandatory from 2026.
📸 Modeling in Korea
The visa you need is E-6-1, not E-6-3
E-6-3 is only for professional athletes and coaches. It is not for entertainers, models, or performing artists. Many guides and agencies online have this wrong. If someone is telling you to apply for E-6-3 as a model, that is incorrect and your application will likely be rejected.
2026 E-6-1 modeling requirements
- 13+ years of documented modeling experience (hard floor, apostilled certificate required)
- 2Korean agency registered as 대중문화예술기획업 with entertainment-only license scope
- 3MCST (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) recommendation letter
- 4Bilingual employment contract in Korean and English showing specific bookings (required from 2026)
- 5Apostilled criminal background check valid within 6 months of submission
- 6Medical exam on arrival in Korea (HIV, TB, drugs)
Why did this get stricter in 2024-2025?
Korea expanded its trafficking-screening protocols for entertainment visas in 2024. Immigration officers now apply additional scrutiny to E-6-1 applicants. This means legitimate models face more paperwork and stricter documentation standards. The tighter requirements exist to protect workers, not to block legitimate applications. If your documentation is solid, the process is manageable.
For short shoots (under 90 days)
The C-4-5 short-term work visa may apply instead of E-6-1 for specific shoot assignments under 90 days. In this case, the recommendation letter comes from the Korea Media Rating Board (영상물등급위원회), not the MCST. Discuss this option with your Korean agency before assuming you need the full E-6-1 process.
Verified May 2026