Skip to content
For Seoul
Your situation
EmployeeE-7 for most professional roles; E-2 for teaching English. 7 steps Job seekerD-10, to look for professional work in Korea. 3 steps StudentD-2 for degree courses, D-4 for Korean language programmes. 4 steps Remote workerThe F-1-D workation visa, for income from employers or clients abroad. 4 steps Joining familyF-3 for dependants of visa holders, F-6 for spouses of Korean citizens. 3 steps Open a step on the roadmap to see what it involves. Rules change
Visa-exempt visitors may also need a K-ETA before flying, depending on nationality and the year's exemptions. A visitor cannot work, and most long-stay visas are issued by a Korean embassy before you travel. This is a general guide, not legal advice. Confirm each step with the Korea Immigration Service (HiKorea) before you rely on it.
Your roadmap · Employee 7 steps 3–4 months before → to Year 1 onwards 1 Step 1: Secure an offer3–4 months before + From a Korean employer in an occupation on the E-7 list, usually with a relevant degree and experience and a salary above the government's floor for the category. English teachers use the E-2 visa instead. 2 Step 2: Apostille your documents10–12 weeks before + Degree certificate and, for E-2 and some E-7 roles, a national criminal record check, apostilled in the issuing country. Some employers also ask for transcripts. 3 Step 3: Employer applies for the visa issuance number6–8 weeks before + Your employer files for a Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance at the immigration office in Korea, which takes a few weeks. 4 Step 4: Collect the visa at the embassy2–4 weeks before + With the issuance number, your passport and the application form. Some embassies issue an e-visa without an appointment. 5 Step 5: Arrive and book the ARCWithin 90 days + Book the immigration office appointment through HiKorea straight away; Seoul slots go weeks ahead. Registration is required within 90 days of entry and the card fee is ₩30,000. 6 Step 6: Join the four national insurancesFirst month + Your employer enrols you in health insurance, the national pension, employment insurance and accident insurance from the start of work. 7 Step 7: Extend before the visa expiresYear 1 onwards + E-7 stays are granted for up to three years at a time, tied to the employer. A change of job needs immigration's permission first. Get help with the move to Seoul → Chat with Eva