[GLOBAL ECONOMIC TIMES]  Foreigners wishing to visit or stay in Korea must apply for a visa. Visa types vary depending on the purpose of visit, and the documents and procedures required for each visa type are also different.

[Visa type]

Korean visas can be broadly divided into short-term visas and long-term visas.

1. Short-term visa (stay within 90 days)

- Short-term visit (C-3): This refers to a short-term visit to Korea for the purposes of tourism, social visits, consultation, etc.

- Short-term employment (C-4): This applies to visiting Korea for specific activities (e.g. performances, lectures, etc.) for a short period of time.

2. Long-term visa (stay over 91 days)

- Employment (E-7): This applies to those seeking employment in Korea as a professional, technical, or technical worker.

- Study Abroad (D-2): This applies to those who wish to study abroad at a graduate school or university in Korea.

- Visiting Employment (H-2): Applicable to cases where a foreign worker with certain qualifications is hired in Korea and wishes to work at a specific workplace for a certain period of time.

- Residence (F-2): Applies to foreigners married to Koreans, spouses of foreigners residing in Korea, etc.

※ In addition to the visas mentioned above, there are various types of visas. For accurate information, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Safe Travel Overseas website or the Korean Embassy/Consulate in Korea.

[How to apply for a visa]

- Check visa type: Check exactly the type of visa that suits the purpose of your visit.

- Preparation of required documents: The required documents are different for each visa type, so check the list of documents appropriate for the visa type. Typically, you will need a passport, passport photo, visa application form, and proof of finances.

- Visit to the Korean embassy/consulate: Visit the Korean embassy or consulate in your country of residence to submit a visa application and conduct an interview.

- Visa Issuance: Once the visa is issued after screening, a visa sticker will be affixed to your passport.

[Things to keep in mind when applying for a visa]

- Passport validity period: Your passport must have at least 6 months remaining beyond your intended stay.

- Proof of finances: You must prepare documents proving sufficient financial power. (e.g. bank statement proof, proof of employment, etc.)

- Health examination: For some visa types, a health examination may be required.

- Visa application fee: The fee varies depending on the type of visa.

- Processing time: The time it takes to issue a visa varies depending on the country and visa type.

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