Korea Visa Types: Complete 2026 Guide

Overview

South Korea uses a letter-number visa classification system. The letter indicates the category (D for short-term stay, E for employment, F for residency, etc.) and the number indicates the specific type within that category.

As of 2026, Korea has been actively expanding visa options for foreign talent. The government's target is to attract 1,000+ foreign entrepreneurs by 2026 through the new startup visa, and the digital nomad visa pilot has been extended following strong initial interest.

Visa rules change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the Korean embassy in your country or the Hi Korea (hikorea.go.kr) website before applying.

Tourist Visa (B-1/B-2)

Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, most EU countries, and many others can enter Korea visa-free for up to 90 days. You need a valid passport (at least 6 months remaining), a return ticket, and proof of accommodation.

If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you can visit the local immigration office before your stay expires to request an extension. Extensions are not guaranteed and typically require a valid reason (medical treatment, family visit, etc.).

Teaching Visa (E-2)

The E-2 is the most common visa for foreigners coming to teach English in Korea. It covers both public school programs (EPIK, GEPIK) and private academies (hagwons).

Requirements:

• •Bachelor's degree from an accredited university (any field)
• •Citizen of a designated English-speaking country (US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa)
• •Clean criminal background check (FBI check for US citizens, apostilled)
• •Health check (can be done in Korea upon arrival)
• •Employer sponsorship (you cannot apply independently)

EPIK vs Hagwon:

Professional Visa (E-7)

The E-7 is the standard professional work visa for specialized occupations including IT, engineering, finance, marketing, design, and other skilled roles. It covers over 80 occupation categories.

Key requirements:

• •Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (or equivalent work experience)
• •Job offer from a Korean company
• •The company must prove they could not fill the role with a Korean national
• •Salary must meet the minimum threshold for the occupation category

Many foreigners transition from an E-2 teaching visa to an E-7 by finding corporate employment. This requires leaving your teaching position, potentially switching to a D-10 while job searching, and having your new employer apply for the E-7 on your behalf.

Digital Nomad Visa (F-1-D)

South Korea's digital nomad visa (officially the F-1-D “Workation” visa) allows remote workers employed by foreign companies to live in Korea for up to 2 years. The income threshold is set at 2x Korea's GNI per capita, which is significantly higher than similar visas in Southeast Asia.

Requirements:

• •Employment by a company outside Korea (proof of contract required)
• •Annual income at least ~$62-66K USD (2x Korea's GNI per capita)
• •Health insurance with minimum 100M KRW coverage
• •No criminal record
• •Can transition from tourist visa status in-country

How Korea compares for digital nomads:

Startup Visa (D-8-4S)

The Startup Korea Special Visa is Korea's newest pathway for foreign entrepreneurs. Unlike the older D-8-4, it does not require academic credentials. Instead, applicants are evaluated on their startup idea's feasibility, team capability, and fit with the Korean market.

The government's target is to attract 1,000+ foreign entrepreneurs by 2026. As of September 2025, local governments and private accelerators were granted recommendation rights, making the process more accessible.

Support provided:

• •Free co-working space at the Global Startup Center (launched July 2024)
• •Legal consulting for company incorporation
• •Visa guidance and processing support
• •Access to Korean accelerator programs and funding networks

Student Visa (D-2)

International student enrollment in Korea has been growing rapidly at 18%+ per year. The D-2 visa covers degree programs (bachelor's, master's, PhD) at accredited Korean universities. Language program students receive a D-4 visa instead.

Students can work part-time (up to 20 hours per week during the semester, unlimited during breaks) after 6 months of study, with immigration office approval. Many students transition to E-7 or D-10 visas after graduation.

Job Seeker Visa (D-10)

The D-10 is a transitional visa for foreigners actively seeking employment in Korea. It is commonly used by E-2 visa holders looking to switch to corporate roles (E-7) or by recent graduates of Korean universities.

You must show proof of active job seeking (applications, interviews, recruiter correspondence) when applying for extensions. The D-10 is your safety net if you quit or lose your job on an employment visa, giving you time to find a new position without having to leave Korea.

Family Visas (F-1/F-3/F-6)

Korea offers several visa categories for family members of foreign residents and Korean nationals.

Permanent Residency (F-5)

The F-5 permanent residency visa allows unlimited stay and full work rights in Korea. There are multiple pathways:

Alien Registration Card (ARC)

The ARC is your ID card in Korea. It is required for virtually everything: banking, phone contracts, housing leases, healthcare, and more. You must apply within 90 days of arrival on any long-term visa.

Frequently asked questions