South Korea Visa Guide 2026
South Korea offers structured work visa categories (E-1 through E-9) for different occupations. The E-2 Teaching visa and E-7 Special Activity visa are most common. The digital HiKorea portal streamlines applications.
Visa Options & Categories
Tourist (C-3-9): Up to 90 days. Visa waiver for 112+ countries (K-ETA). Processing 5-10 days where required. Multiple up to 10 years.
E-2 Teaching: Native English speakers. 7 eligible countries (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland, SA). Bachelor's + background check. Valid 1 year.
E-7 Special Activity: Specialized professionals (94 plus occupations). IT, engineering, design, finance. Valid 1-3 years.
D-2 Student: Undergrad/postgrad. Valid 6 months-2 years. Work 20 hrs/week after 6 months. D-4 (language): 25 hrs/week.
E-9 Non-Professional: EPS-TOPIK required. Manufacturing, agriculture, fishing, construction. Quota-based. Up to 4yr 10 months.
F-2-99 Points Residence: E-series transitioning. 80 plus of 120 points (age, education, income, TOPIK). Valid 3 years.
F-6 Marriage: Foreign spouses of Korean nationals. Valid 1-3 years. Genuine relationship proof. PR (F-5) after 2-3 years.
D-8 Corporate Investment: KRW 100M+ (\) minimum. D-8-1 investment, D-8-2 venture, D-8-3 tech startup.
Use our Visa Eligibility Checker to find the best visa category for your profile.
Processing Times
Tourist: 5-10 days. E-2: 2-4 weeks. E-7: 4-8 weeks. D-2: 4-8 weeks. F-6: 2-4 months. F-2-99: 4-8 weeks.
Processing times vary based on application completeness, volume, and season. Apply well in advance. Check the official immigration website for current estimates.
Visa Fees & Costs
| Visa Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Tourist | KRW 40,000-90,000 |
| E-2/E-7 | KRW 150,000 |
| D-2 | KRW 80,000 |
| F-6 | KRW 400,000 |
| F-2-99 | KRW 400,000 |
| E-9 | KRW 70,000 |
| ARC Card | KRW 40,000 |
| EPS-TOPIK | KRW 25,000 |
Fees are non-refundable and subject to change. Exchange rates fluctuate. Additional costs may include translation, courier, travel insurance, and biometrics.