Useful Info

Eligibility Requirements
Spouses and minor children of overseas Korean visa holders can be granted visiting family (F-1) status. 
However, family relationships must be clearly verified through official documents from the home country (such as household registry, marriage certificate, etc.).
Family of Overseas Korean (F-4) Visa Holders (spouse, minor children, and parents)
For parents, only those of students enrolled in elementary, middle, or high schools in Korea qualify.

Family of Visit and Employment (H-2) Visa Holders (spouse and minor children)
Overseas Korean Children Enrolled in Elementary, Middle, or High Schools can be granted Overseas Korean (F-4) status.
- Children of overseas Koreans whose father or mother is registered as a foreigner (residence reported) and residing in Korea, and who are
①currently enrolled in elementary, middle, or high school in Korea, or
②aged 6 to 18 and unable to attend school due to long-term illness treatment or severe disability, etc., may be granted Overseas Korean status.
Essential Residence Information

1. Foreigner Registration / Must visit the immigration office in charge of the residence area within 90 days from the date of entry to complete foreigner registration.
Required documents / Passport and copy, integrated application form, one standard photo, proof of residence documents, fees, family relationship proof documents, etc.
2. Residence Period Extension Permission: The extension period is up to 2 years per application and can be extended within the range not exceeding the main visa holder's residence period.
Required documents / Integrated application form, passport and copy, foreigner registration card, family relationship proof documents, proof of residence documents, fees, proof of enrollment, etc.
3. Minor Children with Foreigner Registration can have their residence period extended up to age 25 if the father or mother has continuously resided in Korea for 3 years or more (excluding married children).
Fathers or mothers of overseas Koreans enrolled in elementary, middle, or high schools in Korea may be granted a one-time 1-year residence period upon the main visa holder's graduation.
Residence Status Change Permission
Permission requirements and required documents for each family member are as follows.
1. Spouse of Overseas Korean
- Visa issuance from an overseas diplomatic mission is the principle, and status change is permitted only restrictively. Status change is decided after comprehensive review of factors such as whether from a designated country, marriage date and circumstances, criminal record, income level, authenticity of marriage certificate, etc.
2. Unschoolaged Children of Overseas Koreans
- Status change is permitted after verifying family relationship with the overseas Korean using the home country's birth certificate, etc.
3. Father or Mother of Overseas Koreans Enrolled in Elementary, Middle, or High Schools in Korea
- Fathers or mothers of overseas Koreans enrolled in elementary, middle, or high schools in Korea have their status change permitted after verifying family relationship with the overseas Korean using the home country's birth certificate, etc.
Required documents / Integrated application form, passport and copy, one standard photo, family relationship proof documents, proof of residence documents, fees, etc.
Residence Status Granting
Within 90 days from the child's date of birth, visit the immigration office in charge to apply for the child's residence status (F-1).
Required documents / Integrated application form, passport and copy, one standard photo, birth certificate, proof of residence documents, fees, etc.
※ However, if submitting a birth certificate from a domestic hospital, a confirmation letter stating intent to notify the home country of the birth fact by the next extension for verification of overseas Korean status must be provided.