.svg)
The Overseas Korean Visitor (C-3-8) visa is a visa issued to overseas Koreans holding foreign nationality from countries that do not have a short-term visitor visa exemption agreement with the Republic of Korea, for the purpose of short-term visits to their home country or to visit family in the Republic of Korea.
This is a visa type particularly applicable to overseas Koreans with Chinese nationality, and recently, it also provides a pathway to change status to long-term stay visas such as Visit and Employment (H-2) or Overseas Korean (F-4) after entering Korea with this visa.
Main Features of C-3-8 Visa
Visa Nature
Short-Term Visit / 'C' series visas are for short-term stays within 90 days
Scope of Activities
Tourism, transit, visiting relatives, attending various events, etc. / No profit-making employment activities allowed
Period of Stay
Maximum 90 days per entry / Cannot exceed 90 days
Visa Validity Period
Generally issued as multiple-entry visas valid within 5 years / Multiple entries possible within the validity period
Main Targets
Persons who previously held Republic of Korea nationality or their direct descendants who have acquired foreign nationality / Mainly overseas Koreans from China and CIS countries
Visa Issuance Eligibility
It is issued to persons who previously held Republic of Korea nationality or their direct descendants who have acquired foreign nationality (citizenship), provided they meet the following requirements.
Persons Proven to Be Overseas Koreans with Foreign Nationality
Must prove the fact of acquiring foreign nationality and the relationship with past Korean nationality (self or direct descendant).
Persons Whose Nationality Loss/Departure Has Been Settled
Korean nationality must have been officially settled (nationality loss or nationality departure declaration completed).
Minors Under 18 Years Old
Cases where one or both parents are on long-term stay with qualifications such as Overseas Korean (F-4), Visit and Employment (H-2), etc.
Notes on Military Service Obligations
For Republic of Korea males who have departed/lost nationality without fulfilling military service obligations, in principle, issuance of most visas including C-3-8 is restricted until January 1 of the year they turn 41.
Main Documents to Submit for Visa Issuance
C-3-8 visas are applied for through foreign missions in Korea (embassies or consulates), and required documents may vary depending on the mission or the applicant's situation (age, financial capacity, past visit records to Korea, etc.).
- Visa application form and passport
- Photo (1 passport photo taken within the last 6 months)
- Documents proving status as overseas Korean with foreign nationality:
- Official documents from the nationality country (e.g., household registry, residence permit, etc., for China)
- Documents proving relationship with Korean nationality (e.g., basic certificate, family relationship certificate, family registry extract, etc.)
- Confirmation documents of nationality loss/departure declaration acceptance (proving Korean nationality has been settled)
Criminal Record Certificate
May be required for overseas Koreans aged 14 or older who have resided continuously in their nationality country for 1 year or more, depending on the target. (※ May be exempt at the time of visa issuance)
Other Documents Proving Financial Capacity and Purpose of Stay
May be required depending on the mission's review.
Change of Status via C-3-8 Visa
Some overseas Koreans entering with C-3-8 visas have a system allowing them to apply for a change to qualifications for long-term stay such as Visit and Employment (H-2) or Overseas Korean (F-4).
Change to Visit and Employment (H-2)
Eligibility / Chinese overseas Koreans holding C-3-8, etc. (aged 18 or older)
Main Requirements / Obtaining a certain score or higher in the pre-evaluation of the Social Integration Program, etc.
Change to Overseas Korean (F-4)
Requirements / Cases meeting F-4 qualification requirements (e.g., acquiring national technical qualification, high-amount investment, etc.)