South Korea
At a Glance
Capital | Seoul |
Language | Korean |
Population | 51,269,000 |
GDP Total | $1.7 trillion |
GDP Per Capita | $33,621.90 |
When traveling to South Korea, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require a work visa. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?
As a business visitor to South Korea, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
- » Attend business meetings, sales meetings, conferences, workshops, and trade shows
- » Conduct market research
- » Negotiate and sign contracts
- » Engage in small-scale trade activities
If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for South Korea?
Nationals of Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa to enter and conduct simple business activities in South Korea. However, beginning September 2021, visa waivered nationals are required to apply for travel permission through the Electronic Authorization (ETA) system before arrival.
Holders of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card endorsed with the statement “valid for travel to KOR” may be eligible to enter South Korea and engage in permissible business activities without obtaining a visa. If you are not eligible for visa-waivered entry, you must obtain a C-3-4 Visa from a South Korean Embassy or Consulate prior to travel.
What types of activities require a work visa?
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under South Korean law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in South Korea, even if conducted for a short duration.
- » Installation, maintenance, and repair of machinery
- » Training for machinery operation
- » Quality control
If I am traveling to South Korea for work, what type of work visa do I need?
The requirements for a work visa depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work, on whether your employer has an entity in South Korea, and on the type of entity sponsoring you. The most common South Korean work visas are:
- » C-4 Short-Term Employment Visa (short-term work authorization)
- » D-7 Intra-Company Transfer Visa (long-term assignee work authorization for “indispensable professionals”)
- » D-8 Foreign Investment Visa (long-term work visa for assignees sent by an overseas parent company to an affiliated foreign-invested company registered under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act)
- » D-9 International Trade Visa (long-term work visas for eligible international traders, skilled technicians, supervisors, and businessmen starting a local business)
- » E-3 Research Visa (long-term direct-hire work visa for research and development personnel in specified science and technology fields)
- » E-7 Particular Occupation Visa (long-term direct-hire work visa for those working in designated occupations)
Is it possible to be exempted from work visa requirements?
South Korea does not offer work authorization exemptions.
Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.
Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.
News and Events
At a Glance
Capital | Seoul |
Language | Korean |
Population | 51,269,000 |
GDP Total | $1.7 trillion |
GDP Per Capita | $33,621.90 |
Related News
-
New Youth Mobility Agreement to be implemented
CANADA, REPUBLIC OF KOREA 26 May 23
-
K-ETA requirement to be temporarily lifted for 22...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 3 Apr 23
-
COVID-19: K-ETA program expanded
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 27 Oct 22
-
K-ETA requirement implemented for entering Jeju Island
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 9 Sep 22
-
COVID-19: Entry, testing requirements tightened
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 26 Jul 22
-
Visa-free entry to be resumed for Hong Kong...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 22 Jun 22
-
COVID-19: Visa-free entry to be allowed into Jeju...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 16 May 22
-
COVID-19: Visa-free entry to be resumed for 46...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 29 Mar 22
-
COVID-19: Quarantine exemption guidelines changed
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 22 Mar 22
-
COVID-19: Testing requirements to be tightened
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 19 Jan 22
-
COVID-19: Increased quarantine requirements extended, testing requirements to...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 5 Jan 22
-
COVID-19: Quarantine requirements increased
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 28 Dec 21
-
COVID-19: Quarantine requirements reduced
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 10 Nov 21
-
Electronic Travel Authorization implemented
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 7 Sep 21
-
COVID-19: Validity of long-term visas extended
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 26 Jul 21
-
COVID-19: Quarantine exemption plan announced
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 30 Jun 21
-
COVID-19: Quarantine waived for some vaccinated travelers
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 16 Jun 21
-
COVID-19: Quarantine exemption policy updated
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 10 May 21
-
Electronic Travel Authorization system enables visa-free entry for...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 30 Apr 21
-
COVID-19: South Korea to lift quarantine for fully...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 30 Apr 21
-
Foreigners with status of stay for employment must...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 9 Dec 20
-
COVID-19: Fast Lane for business and official travel...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 22 Sep 20
-
COVID-19: Restrictions lifted on arrivals from China’s Hubei...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 20 Aug 20
-
COVID-19: Temporary suspension of re-entry permit waivers for...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 29 May 20
-
COVID-19: Visa-free entry and visa waiver programs suspended
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 14 Apr 20
-
Mandatory TB testing for 16 additional countries
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 3 Apr 20
-
COVID-19: Mandatory quarantine for all travelers
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 30 Mar 20
-
Entry restrictions implemented
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 23 Mar 20
-
Automatic extension of stay for registered aliens, F-4...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 26 Feb 20
-
Government suspends consular visa processing in Wuhan, issues...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 31 Jan 20
-
Stricter exit requirements announced for non-compliant foreign nationals
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 14 Oct 19
-
New requirements set for E-7 visa applicants
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 8 Apr 19
-
South Korean Embassy shifts visa processing to approved...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA, UZBEKISTAN 2 Oct 18
-
Visa requirements relaxed for scholars, lecturers
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 3 Aug 18
-
Processing, other services to be suspended during upcoming...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 26 Apr 18
-
Processing, other services to be suspended during upcoming...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 24 Apr 17
-
Short-term business visits now more narrowly defined
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 3 Apr 17
-
New rule limits visa-free entry for certain repeat...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 15 Mar 17
-
New program aims to keep top students in...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1 Jun 16
-
Immigration Offices to close May 5-8
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 4 May 16
-
Immigration appointment scheduling now online
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 29 Apr 16
-
TB certificates required for more foreign nationals
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 11 Mar 16
-
Australia, South Korea launch trade agreement
AUSTRALIA, REPUBLIC OF KOREA 15 Dec 14
-
Government doubles many immigration fees
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 8 Jan 14
-
New Program Offers Residential Status to Investors in...
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 13 Jun 13