Foreign Government official(A-2)
| Persons Eligible by Qualification and Scope of Activity | Persons performing official duties for a foreign government or international organization approved by the Government of the Republic of Korea, and their family members. |
| Maximum Stay Period That Can Be Granted at One Time | Period of Official Duty |
| Activities Outside the Granted Visa Status | (2) Content
1. Employment in Korea for Family Members of Foreign Diplomatic Officials Holding A-2 (Official) Status * Conditions for Employment Eligibility Permission to engage in activities outside the granted visa status is possible only if recommended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Diplomatic Mission Affairs Officer) based on reciprocity. (Delegated to the Commissioner/Office Head/Branch Head) * Countries Allowed for Employment (As of January 2024, 29 countries) Japan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Israel, USA, Canada, Germany, UK, France, Sweden, Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary, New Zealand, Denmark, Norway, Ireland, Australia, Pakistan, India, Singapore, Portugal, Switzerland, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru * Scope of Permitted Employment - Culture & Arts (D-1), Religion (D-6), Professorship (E-1), Language Instruction (E-2), Research (E-3), Technical Guidance (E-4), Professional Jobs (E-5) - Performing Arts & Entertainment (E-6) *Excluding Hotel & Entertainment Industry (E-6-2)* - Specific Activities (E-7) *Excluding Skilled Worker Points System (E-7-4)* * Special Notes: - Families of Canadian diplomatic officials in Korea are allowed all activities except simple labor fields (D-3, E-9, E-10, H-2, etc.) if they meet the criteria. - Families of U.S. diplomatic officials in Korea face no employment restrictions according to the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Control Act (Appendix 1 and 1-2). * Application Procedure ① Foreign diplomatic mission in Korea requests an employment recommendation letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Diplomatic Mission Affairs Office. ② Ministry of Foreign Affairs sends an official letter to the relevant Immigration Office. ③ Accompanying family member or embassy staff (representative) submits application documents to the Immigration Office. * Maximum Approval Period Per Application - General: Up to 2 years within the scope of the employment contract - Families of U.S. Embassy officials: Up to 3 years within the term of appointment and employment contract * Documents Required - Passport, integrated application form - Fee: 120,000 KRW (fee waived for U.S. embassy families due to reciprocity) - Employment recommendation letter from Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Diplomatic Mission Affairs Officer) - Documents proving qualification requirements for the specific visa status *Note: For U.S. embassy families, documentation requirements have been simplified since January 17, 2022. If employment can be confirmed by business registration and employment contract, documents related to company qualifications, education, work experience, or criminal records are not required. 2. Permission for Activities Outside Visa Status for Family Members of International Organization Employees Holding A-2 (Official) Status * Applicable Persons - Spouses and minor children of international organization employees working under A-2 status - For Green Climate Fund (GCF) employees, this includes not only spouse and minor children but also economically dependent children in the household * Scope of Permitted Employment All activities corresponding to any visa status except for simple labor fields (D-3, E-9, E-10, H-2, etc.) are allowed. * Application Procedure - Submit documents proving qualification requirements for the desired visa status activity - *No employment recommendation letter from Ministry of Foreign Affairs required* * Maximum Approval Period Per Application - 1 year (in line with general principles for permission of activities outside visa status) * Documents Required - Passport, integrated application form - Fee: 120,000 KRW - Documents proving qualification requirements for the relevant visa status |
| Change or Addition of Workplace | No relevant information |
| Granting of Stay Status | Apply within 90 days from the date of birth
Required Documents Applicant 1. Application form (Form No. 34), passport 2. Documents proving dispatch or employment, or a cooperation letter from the head of the affiliated department of the home country Dependent Family Members 1. Application form (Form No. 34), passport 2. Documents proving identity relationship such as birth certificate 3. ID proving the principal’s public service employment |
| Permission to Change Stay Status | Required Documents
[Applicant] 1. Application form (Form No. 34), passport 2. Documents proving dispatch or employment, or a cooperation letter from the head of the affiliated department of the home country [Dependent Family Members] 1. Application form (Form No. 34), passport 2. Documents proving identity relationship such as birth certificate 3. ID proving the principal’s public service employment Scope of Accompanying Family Members for Those Assigned to Foreign Diplomatic Missions in Korea with Public Service Status (A-2) Scope of Accompanying Family Members 1. Legally married spouse (However, a spouse may not be recognized if contrary to Korean law or good morals or social order) 2. Unmarried minor cohabiting children under Article 4 of the Civil Act 3. Unmarried cohabiting children under 20 years old residing with the diplomatic staff in Korea and enrolled as regular students in schools defined under Article 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (as of 2022.11.01) 4. Unmarried cohabiting children under 26 years old attending or researching at universities or higher academic institutions in regular programs 5. Parents of the applicant or spouse aged 60 or older, admitted on condition that they do not engage in income-earning activities 6. Disabled unmarried adult cohabiting children who cannot support themselves separately under the Civil Act (Reference: Regulations on Issuance and Management of Identification Cards for Foreign Diplomatic Mission Staff in Korea - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ordinance No. 106, Partial Amendment on July 4, 2022) |
| Permission to Extend Stay Period | A holder of the public official (A-2) visa who entered Korea for short-term official duties rather than for assignment purposes and wishes to stay longer than 90 days must leave the country and obtain a long-term visa before re-entering. However, exceptions allowing a change to long-term stay status or extension of stay period may be permitted based on agreements with the Republic of Korea or principles of reciprocity. |
| Re-entry Permit | Exemption applies if re-entering within one year from the date of departure.
For holders of single-entry visas from diplomatic (A-1) to agreement (A-3) status who wish to re-enter within their term of assignment (period of official duties, duration of status, or agreement-based stay period), re-entry permits can be granted upon request. ※ If the person holds a valid multiple-entry visa during their assignment period, re-entry permits are not required. Single or multiple re-entry permits can be issued within the domestic assignment period (multiple re-entries also possible via airports). Required Documents Application form (Form No. 34), passport, diplomatic ID, embassy cooperation letter, proof of employment. |
| Foreign Registration | Exempt from foreigner registration, but a foreigner registration card can be issued upon request.
Other obligations imposed on registered foreigners (such as reporting changes in registration details, reporting change of residence, etc.) are also exempted. ※ This is to alleviate inconveniences in daily life in Korea, such as difficulties in identity verification when using online services like internet shopping. Required Documents Application form (Form No. 34), original passport, color photo (3.5×4.5 cm, passport size), identity verification documents such as identification issued by the foreign diplomatic mission in Korea. |
