ENGLISH

Status of Stay

Eligible Applicants and Scope of Permitted Activities

1.

Short-Term Employee

(C-4)

A. A person who intends to engage in profit-oriented, short-term employment in the fields such as temporary entertainment, advertisement/fashion modeling, lectures/speech, research, or technical guidance, which fall under the residency statuses ranging from 14. Professor (E-1) to 20. Foreign National of Special Ability (E-7) as outlined in attached Table 1-2 

B. A person dispatched to either public or private organizations within the nation for short-term, profit-driven tasks such as installation, maintenance, or repair of machinery, or for the purpose of manufacturing or overseeing shipbuilding and industrial facility, based on various outsourcing contracts. 

C. Recognized by the Minister of Justice, a person who intends to undertake short-term employment in the cultivation and harvesting of crops (including primary processing related to cultivation and harvesting) and in primary processing of aquatic products, as agreed upon in consultation with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies by the Minister of Justice.

2.

Professor

(E-1)

Foreigners qualified in accordance with the HigherEducation Act who intend to teach or research at an educational institutionnot lower than junior college or higher as well as other institutions at anequivalent level

* What are the qualifications required under 「Higher Education Act」?

· Article 16 of 「Higher Education Act」 and attached Table of 「Regulations on the Professors’ Qualification Standard, etc.」 include regulations stipulating the standards and credentials of qualifications for teachers and assistants working in various educational institutions, such as universities, industrial universities, universities of education, community colleges, distant colleges, universities of technology, and schools.

3.

Foreign Language Instructor

(E-2)

Foreigners who satisfy qualifications set by the Minister of Justice and intend to engage in teaching as foreign language instructors at a foreign language specialized academy, educational institution not lower than elementary school, or its affiliated language research center, language training center affiliated with a broadcasting company or business, or any other equivalent institution or organization

4.

Researcher (E-3)

Persons who intend to engage in research on natural science, social science, humanities, arts and physical education or industrial high-tech R&D at a research institute at the invitation of a public/private organization in the Republic of Korea [excluding those falling under the Professor (E-1) category]

5.

Technical Instructor / Technician (E-4)

Persons who is invited by a public/private organization in the Republic of Korea to provide expert knowledge in the field of natural science or technology falling under a specialized field of industry

6.

Professional

(E-5)

Persons such as lawyers, certified public accountants, physicians, or other professionals holding a foreign state-authorized license who intend to practice in specialized fields, such as law, accounting, or medical services all of which shall be performed under the laws of the Republic of Korea [excluding those falling under the Professor (E-1) category]

7.

Culture and Entertainment

(E-6)

Persons who intend to engage in artistic activities in fields that generate profit, such as music, fine art, or literature, as well as activities for profit, including entertainment, musical instrument performance, theater, sports, or advertisement/fashion modeling

8.

Foreign National of Special Ability

(E-7)

Persons who intend to engage in activities specially designated by the Minister of Justice in accordance with contracts entered into with public/private organizations in the Republic of Korea.

* To see activities designated by the Minister of Justice, go to the website of the Korea Immigration Service (www.immigration.go.kr).

9.

Seasonal Labor

(E-8)

Persons the Minister of Justice considers qualified as seasonal workers involved in cultivating, harvesting, and first processing of crops, and first processing of marine products

10.

Non-Professional 

(E-9)

Persons who satisfy qualifications for domestic employment set forth under 「Act on the Employment of Foreign Workers」 [excluding those who intend to engage in professional occupations that require certain qualifications or relevant work experience]

11.

Vessel Crew

(E-10)

Persons who fall under the following categories and foreigners who enter into a labor agreement as a sailor defined under Subparagraph 6 of Article 2 of the 「Seafarers Act」 in exchange for providing sailor service in the relevant business for a period not less than 6 months:

A. Those who operate businesses set forth in Subparagraphs 1, 2, and 5 of Article 3 or Subparagraph 1 of Article 23 of 「Marine Transportation Act」;

B. Those who engage in business set forth in Subparagraph 1 of Article 8(1), Article 41(1), or Article 57(1) of 「Fisheries Act」;

C. A Korean-flagged cruise ship operator under Subparagraph 7 of Article 2 of 「Cruise Industry Development and Support Act」, who engages in business using an international cruise ship set forth in Subparagraph 4 of Article 2 of 「Cruise Industry Development and Support Act」

12.

Residential

(F-2)

A. A minor foreign child of a Korean national or a spouse and a minor child of a person who holds the permanent residence (F-5) status;

B. A child born from a person married to a Korean national (including de facto marriage) and recognized by the Minister of Justice;

C. Persons recognized as refugees;

D. A person making investments under 「Foreign Investment Promotion Act」 who falls under any of the following cases

1) Persons who continue to stay in Korea for at least three consecutive years under Corporate Investment (D-8) status and have made more than USD 500,000 of foreign investments

2) Personnel who have been dispatched to a foreign-invested corporation in Korea under 「Foreign Investment Promotion Act」 from an international corporation that has invested more than USD 500,000 and has stayed in Korea for more than three years accordingly

3) A foreigner who has invested more than USD 300,000 and has employed more than two Koreans

E. A person, who has lost the Permanent Resident (F-5) status under attached Table 1-3 and is deemed necessary by the Minister of Justice to continue residing in the country, taking into account the protection of domestic relationships and other interests (excluding those who have been deported)

F. Persons who have stayed in Korea for more than five consecutive years with a status of sojourn other than the status of sojourn from Diplomacy (A-1) to Agreement (A-3) and has a living base in Korea, recognized by the Minister of Justice

G. A person appointed as a public official under 「State Public Officials Act」 or 「Local Public Officials Act」 and recognized by the Minister of Justice

H. Persons whose age, education, income, etc. meet the standards determined and notified by the Minister of Justice

I. A foreigner who is recognized by the Minister of Justice as a person who has invested in assets such as real estate according to the criteria determined and publicly announced by the Minister of Justice, such as the investment area, investment target, and investment amount, or as an executive or shareholder of a corporation

J. A person recognized by the Minister of Justice to have made a special contribution or have contributed to increase public interests

K. Spouse and child of a person falling under H through J above (only children who meet the requirements determined by the Minister of Justice)

L. A person falling under the criteria announced by the Minister of Justice in consideration of the target industry and region, whether the person resides or works in the region, and the relevant period in a bid to support the manpower supply and restoration of regional vitality in a population-decreasing region, etc. pursuant to Subparagraph 12 of Article 2 of 「Special Act on Balanced National Development」

13.

Overseas Korean

(F-4)

Persons who have acquired the nationality of a foreign country. However, those who fall under any of the following cases shall be excluded:

A. Elementary occupations;

B. Activities that undermine good morals or public order; or

C. Other activities deemed to be restricted necessary to serve the public interest or maintain order in the domestic labor market

* Who are considered as Foreign Nationality Koreans?

· Persons who fall under the following cases are considered as those with foreign nationalities (Subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of 「Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans」 and Article 3 of 「Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans」).

1.Persons born in the Republic of Korea and acquired the nationality of the Republic of Korea (including compatriots who migrated overseas before the Republic of Korea government was established) and obtained a foreign nationality)

2.Lineal descendants of persons falling under paragraph 1 above who have acquired foreign nationality

14.

Spouse of a Korean National

(F-6)

A. A spouse of a Korean national;

B. A mother or a father of a child born in wedlock with a Korean national (including de facto marriage) who is recognized by the Minister of Justice;

C. A person who became unable to maintain a normal marital relationship due to the death or disappearance of the spouse or other reasons not attributable to the person while married to a Korean national and residing in Korea and who is recognized by the Minister of Justice;

15.

Working Holiday

(H-1)

Persons who are citizens of a country that entered into a treaty or MOU on ‘Working Holiday’ with the Republic of Korea and who intend to engage in tourism and employment activities (excluding those seeking employment in any business areas that are against the purpose of such treaty, etc. or in any occupational categories that require certain qualifications under relevant Korean laws)

16.

Work and Visit

(H-2)

A. Persons eligible for the pertinent status of stay: foreign nationality Koreans (as defined in Subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of 「Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans」) aged 18 or older who fall under any of the following, intend to stay in the Republic of Korea to engage in activities within the scope defined in Item (b), and are recognized by the Minister of Justice [excluding those categorized as Overseas Korean (F-4)]:

1) Persons born as Korean nationals who are registered on a Korean family relations register, closed register or family census register and their lineal descendants;

2) Persons invited by Korean nationals who are domiciled in Korea or persons who are blood relatives within the 8th degree of relationship or affinity relatives within the 4th degree of relationship falling under subparagraph 5 of Permanent Residence (F-5);

3) Persons classified as patriots and veterans who have rendered distinguished service to the Republic of Korea and their bereaved family members (as described in Article 4 of 「Act on the Honorable Treatment of and Support for Persons of Distinguished Service to the State」) or classified as persons of distinguished services to national independence, their families, their bereaved families(as described in Article 4 of 「Act on the Honorable Treatment of Persons of Distinguished Service to Independence」);

4) Persons who have performed special meritorious services for the Republic of Korea or have otherwise helped promote national interests;

5) A father, mother or spouse of a person of Study Abroad (D-2) status holders who have been studying in the Republic of Korea for at least 1 semester;

6) Persons who have voluntarily departed from the Republic of Korea in accordance with the standards and procedures determined by the Minister of Justice to maintain order of stay among foreigners residing in Korea; or

7) Persons not falling under the foregoing 1) through 6) who have been selected in such process as determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Justice including a Korean language proficiency test and random drawing

B. Scope of Activities

1) Visit; temporary co-residence with relatives; tourism; medical treatment; field trips; friendship games; non-profit cultural and artistic activities; attendance at meetings; collection of academic data; commercial activities including market surveys, business communication, contract execution or other activities with a similar purpose

2) Activities that fall under any of the following industrial fields according to the Korean Standard Industrial Classification (excluding the Service Industry Classification) prepared and publicly announced by the Commissioner of Statistics Korea under Article 22 of the Statistics Act

(1) Growing of crops (011)

(2) Animal production (012)

(3) Crop cultivation and livestock related service business (014)

(4) Forestry (020), limited to Seedling production for forestry (02011), Silviculture (02012), Logging (02020), and Forestry-related service business (02040). However, employment is limited to forestry laborers (99102) under the Korean Standard Classification of Occupations, compiled and published by the Commissioner of Statistics Korea, employed by the following businesses (corporations) only: 

① Forestry project operators pursuant to Subparagraph 7 of Article 2 of 「Act on Promotion and Management of Forestry Technology」

② Seeds and seedings growers pursuant to Article 16 of 「Creation and Management of Forest Resources Act」

(5) Offshore fishing (03112)

(6) Aquaculture fishery (0321)

(7) Metal mining (06)

(8) Nonmetallic mineral mining excluding fuel minerals (07)

(9) Mining support service (08)

(10) Manufacturing business (10–34). However, limited to employment at the following businesses:

① Businesses regularly employing less than 300 workers or the capital is KRW 8 billion or less

② Medium enterprises defined in Item (b) of Subparagraph 3 of Article 2 of 「Act on the Promotion and Sophistication of Ppuri Industries」 (limited to those whose headquarters or main offices are located outside the Seoul Metropolitan area pursuant to Subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of 「Capital Region Readjustment Planning」)

(11) Construction nosiness (41–42) (excluding those who are employed to build industrial and environmental facilities among construction companies at the construction sites for power plant, steel mill or petrochemical facility)

3) Activities that fall under any of the following industrial fields according to the Korean Standard Industrial Classification’s Service Industry Classification prepared and publicly announced by the Commissioner of Statistics Korea under Article 22 of 「Statistics Act」

(1) Water Supply (36)

(2) Environmental Clean-up and Restoration Activities (39)

(3) Sale of Motor Vehicles and Parts (45)

(4) Land Transport and Pipeline Transport (49), although the following is permitted.

① Land Passenger Transport (492)

② Package Delivery (49401), although, limited to employment as simple workers related to loading and unloading (92101) as classified under the Korean Standard Classification of Occupations compiled and announced by the Commissioner of Statistics Korea, employed by businesses providing parcel delivery services pursuant to Item (a) of Subparagraph 3 of Article 2 of 「Last-Mile Logistics Industry Development Act」

(5) Water Transport (50)

(6) Air Transport (51)

(7) Warehousing and Support Activities for Transportation (52), although the following industrial fields are permitted:

① Refrigerated and Frozen Warehousing (52102), although limited to employment in inland enterprises

② Logistics Terminal Operation (52913), although limited to employment as simple workers related to loading and unloading (92101) as classified under the Korean Standard Classification of Occupations compiled and announced by the Commissioner of Statistics Korea under Article 22 of 「Statistics Act」

③ Other Air Transport Support Services (52939), although limited to employment as simple workers related to loading and unloading (92101) as classified under the Korean Standard Classification of Occupations compiled and announced by the Commissioner of Statistics Korea, employed by businesses engaged in aircraft loading operations as part of aircraft handling services pursuant to Subparagraph 19 of Article 2 of 「Aviation Business Act」

④ Handling of Air and Land Freight (52941), although limited to the following circumstances:

ⅰ. Employment in enterprises transporting meat as defined in Subparagraph 3 of Article 2 of 「Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act」

ⅱ. Employment as simple workers related to loading and unloading (92101) in enterprises conducting courier service business as defined in Item (a) of Subparagraph 3 of Article 2 of 「Last-Mile Logistics Industry Development Act」, and as classified under the Korean Standard Classification of Occupations compiled and announced by the Commissioner of Statistics Korea

(8) Publishing Activities (58), although book, magazine, and other printed material publishing (581) is permitted.

(9) Postal and Courier Activities (61)

(10) Computer Programming, System Integration, and Management (62)

(11) Information Service Activities (63)

(12) Financial Activities (64)

(13) Insurance and Pension Funding (65)

(14) Activities Auxiliary to Financial Services and Insurance Activities (66)

(15) Real Estate Activities (68)

(16) Scientific Research and Development (70)

(17) Professional Services (71)

(18) Architectural and Engineering Activities and Related Technical Consultancy (72)

(19) Building and Landscape Services (74), although building maintenance services (741) and building and industrial plant cleaning services (7421) are permitted.

(20) Employment Activities and Human Resources Supply (751), although employment in home service provision agencies as defined in Subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of 「Act on the Improvement of Employment for Domestic Workers」 is permitted.

(21) Public Administration, Defense, and Social Security Administration (84)

(22) Education Services (85)

(23) International and Foreign Organizations (99)