Korea visa types, explained
D, E, F, H — a plain-English map of Korea's visa families and how they connect.
In short
- Korea has around 30 visa categories, grouped by letter: D (study/training/business), E (work), F (family & long-term residence), H (working holiday), plus short-term B/C.
- Your visa defines what you're allowed to do. Working outside your visa's scope is an immigration violation — even a small side job can put your status at risk.
- E-series visas are tied to a specific employer. F-series generally let you work freely without a sponsor.
- Most long-term routes lead toward F-2 (residence) and eventually F-5 (permanent residence).
Korea's visa system looks intimidating, but it's really just a few letter-families. This is a map, not a full manual — use it to find which category fits you, then check the detailed rules for that specific visa on HiKorea or with 1345.
Study & training — the D visas
| Visa | For |
|---|---|
| D-2 | Degree students at Korean universities (bachelor's, master's, PhD) |
| D-4 | Language training and some vocational study |
| D-8 | Foreign investors starting a company in Korea |
| D-9 | Trade / business management |
| D-10 | Job seeker — stay while you look for work or do internships (see the extensions guide) |
Work — the E visas
E-series visas are employer-sponsored: they're tied to a specific job and company, and you generally can't switch freely without reporting or changing status.
| Visa | For |
|---|---|
| E-2 | Foreign language instructors (e.g. English teachers) |
| E-7 | Skilled professionals — IT, engineering, finance, design and 80+ designated occupations |
| E-8 | Seasonal workers (agriculture, fisheries) — see the farm-work guide |
| E-9 | Non-professional workers via EPS — see the EPS guide |
| E-1, E-3–E-6 | Professors, researchers, technicians, other professionals, arts/entertainment/sport |
Family & long-term — the F visas
F-series is where you gain freedom. Most F holders can work without a separate permit or employer sponsor — a big step up from E-visas.
| Visa | For |
|---|---|
| F-1 | Family members visiting/joining a resident (usually no work) |
| F-3 | Dependents (spouse/children) of D- and E-visa holders (no work by default) |
| F-2 | Long-term residence. F-2-7 is the points-based route (80+ points across education, income, Korean, age) — full work freedom without a sponsor |
| F-4 | Overseas Koreans (ethnic Koreans with foreign nationality) — broad work rights |
| F-5 | Permanent residence — live and work indefinitely; the visa doesn't expire (the card is renewed periodically) |
| F-6 | Marriage to a Korean national — unrestricted work; can lead to F-5 after 2 years |
Youth & short-term
- H-1 (Working Holiday): ages ~18–30 from partner countries, live and work up to 1 year (with an hours cap)
- B / C visas: short-term tourism or business — no employment allowed. Many nationalities enter visa-free for up to 90 days.
Typical long-term pathways
Most people don't stay on the same visa forever — they move up a ladder toward residence:
- Student route: D-4 (language) → D-2 (degree) → D-10 (job seeker) → E-7 (work) → F-2-7 (residence) → F-5
- Worker route: E-9/E-7 → accumulate points/experience → F-2-7 → F-5
- Marriage route: F-6 → F-5 after 2 years of marriage and residence
Common questions
Can I work on a tourist or student visa?
Tourist/short-term (B/C) visas never allow work. Students (D-2) can do limited part-time work only with a work permit and conditions met. Doing unauthorized work is a status violation.
My spouse has an E-7 — can I work?
As a dependent you'd be on F-3, which doesn't include work rights by default. You'd need your own work visa or a status change to work.
Can I change visa type inside Korea?
Sometimes — many changes (e.g. D-2 → D-10, D-10 → E-7) can be done in-country on HiKorea. Others require applying from abroad. It depends on the visa and your nationality; confirm with 1345.
Which visa lets me stay permanently?
F-5 (permanent residence). The most common path is 5+ years of continuous residence with sufficient income, TOPIK level, and a clean record — though marriage (F-6) and other routes can be faster.
Sources: Korea Immigration Service / Ministry of Justice (immigration.go.kr), HiKorea, Korea Visa Portal (visa.go.kr). Visa categories and rules per 2026 immigration guidance.
Last verified: July 2026. Visa rules and subcategories change frequently — always confirm your specific case at hikorea.go.kr or by calling 1345. General information, not immigration or legal advice.
Not sure which visa fits?
Describe your situation and ask others who've navigated it — post in the community and tag it Immigration.