Diplomat(A-1)
| Eligible Persons and Scope of Activities | Members of diplomatic missions or consular posts of foreign governments received by the Government of the Republic of Korea, and persons who, under treaties or international practice, are entitled to privileges and immunities equivalent to those of diplomatic envoys, as well as their families. |
| The maximum period of stay that may be granted at one time | Term of office |
| Activities beyond one’s status of stay | 1. Family Members of Foreign Diplomatic Mission Staff (A-1 Status)
Employment in Korea: Allowed only on the basis of reciprocity, with recommendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA, Director for Diplomatic Missions). Eligible Countries: As of Jan. 2024, 29 countries (Japan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Israel, U.S., Canada, Germany, U.K., France, Sweden, Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary, New Zealand, Denmark, Norway, Ireland, Australia, Pakistan, India, Singapore, Portugal, Switzerland, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru). Permitted Scope of Work: Cultural/Arts (D-1), Religion (D-6), Professor (E-1), Conversation Instructor (E-2), Research (E-3), Technical Guidance (E-4), Professional Employment (E-5) Entertainer (E-6), except Hotel/Entertainment (E-6-2) Specific Activities (E-7), except Skilled Points System (E-7-4) ※ Expanded scope for families of Canadian mission staff (since Mar. 2009) - all statuses except simple labor (D-3, E-9, E-10, H-2). ※ Expanded scope for families of U.S. mission staff (since Jan. 2022): exempt from restrictions under the Immigration Control Act, Annex 1 and 1-2. Application Procedure: Diplomatic mission requests MOFA recommendation. MOFA issues official letter to Immigration Office. Dependent family or embassy staff submits application with documents. Maximum Period Granted per Approval: Up to 2 years within the employment contract period. ※ Expansion of the Permitted Period for “Authorization for Activity Outside Visa Status” for Families of U.S. Embassy Staff in Korea (Effective January 17, 2022) - For U.S. mission staff families: up to 3 years within tenure or contract. Required Documents: - Passport, integrated application form. - Fee: KRW 120,000 (exempt for U.S. families on reciprocity basis). ※ Accompanying family members of U.S. mission staff in Korea are exempt from fees under the principle of reciprocity. - Required: Employment recommendation letter issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Officer in charge of diplomatic missions) - Also Required: Documents necessary for permission to engage in activities outside the scope of their current visa status (meeting the qualifications applicable to each visa category) ※ Simplification of document requirements for families of U.S. Embassy staff in Korea (effective January 17, 2022): - Aside from documents verifying employment such as the employer’s business registration certificate and employment contract, other documents—such as those related to company requirements by employment field, educational background, career history, or criminal record—are no longer required. 2. Family Members of International Organization Staff (A-1 Status) Eligibility - Spouse and minor children of international organization staff working in Korea under agreements with the ROK government. ※ Exception: Green Climate Fund (GCF) Secretariat staff may include other dependents supported by the staff member. Permitted Scope of Work: - All activities except simple labor (D-3 training, E-9 non-professional employment, E-10 seafarer employment, H-2 visiting employment). Application Procedure: - Submit documents proving qualifications for the intended activity (no MOFA recommendation required). Maximum Period Granted per Approval: 1 year (general principle for status beyond scope). Required Documents: - Passport, integrated application form. - Fee: KRW 120,000. - Other documents per visa type (qualification proof, etc.). |
| Change or Addition of Workplace | Not applicable (N/A) |
| Grant of Status of Stay | Application within 90 days from the date of birth
Required Documents: ① Application form (Form No. 34), Passport ② Copy of Birth Certificate ③ Official Letter of Cooperation from the Embassy ④ Identity Card of the Foreign Mission Official (the dependent’s parent) |
| Permission for Change of Status of Stay | 1. Members of (① a foreign government’s diplomatic mission or consular post accredited by the Government of the Republic of Korea; ② persons entitled to the same privileges and immunities as diplomatic agents under treaties or international practice; or ③ accompanying family members of persons falling under ① or ② [scope of accompanying family members – see table below]) who entered Korea with a status other than Diplomat (A-1) may be permitted to change their status of stay to Diplomat (A-1) (by delegation of authority to the Commissioner, Head of Office, or Branch Office Chief).
◦ Details of Permission: Diplomat (A-1), Period of Stay (within the period of official service) ◦ Required Documents ① Members of a foreign government’s diplomatic mission or consular post accredited by the Government of the Republic of Korea: Application form, Passport, Official Letter of Cooperation from the Embassy, Documents proving dispatch/official service ② Persons entitled to the same privileges and immunities as diplomatic agents under treaties or international practice: Application form, Passport, Documents proving dispatch/official service ③ Accompanying family members of persons falling under ① or ②: Application form, Passport, Birth Certificate, Family Relationship Certificate or other documents proving family relationship, Identity Card of the person falling under ① or ②, and Documents proving dispatch/official service ※ The Commissioner, Head of Office, or Branch Office Chief may, if deemed particularly necessary to examine the purpose of entry, authenticity of invitation, and qualifications of the inviter and invitee, add or omit certain required documents. Scope of accompanying family members of persons stationed at foreign diplomatic or consular missions in Korea (A-1, A-2) ※ Basis: Rules on the Issuance and Management of Identity Cards for Members of Foreign Missions in the Republic of Korea (Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ordinance No. 106, partially amended on July 4, 2022) |
| Permission for Extension of Period of Stay | Extension of Stay within the Term of Office
Required Documents: Same as those for Permission for Change of Status of Stay (Exempt from fees) |
| Re-entry Permit | If re-entering within one year from the date of departure, re-entry permit is exempted.
For holders of single-entry visas with Diplomat (A-1) to Agreement (A-3) status, if they wish to re-enter during their term of office (official duty period, valid status period, or treaty-based period of stay), a re-entry permit may be granted upon the request of the applicant. ※ If holding a valid multiple-entry visa during the term of office, re-entry permission is not required. Within the domestic term of office, both single and multiple re-entry permits may be granted (multiple-entry permits are also available at airports/ports). Required Documents: Application form (Form No. 34), Passport, Diplomatic ID Card, Official Letter of Cooperation from the Embassy, Documents proving employment/official service |
| Alien Registration | Foreigners exempt from alien registration may be issued an Alien Registration Card upon request.
- Other obligations normally imposed on registered foreigners (e.g., reporting of changes in registered particulars, reporting of changes in residence, etc.) are also exempted. Required Documents: Application form (Form No. 34), Original Passport, One color photograph (3.5 × 4.5 cm, bust shot),Identity verification documents such as the ID card of a foreign mission official in Korea |
