2025 Guide to Korean Visas: All You Need to Know for Study, Work & Travel

Curious about Korean visas for 2025? Hello Korea Daily breaks down everything you need to know about the most common visas, including tourist (C-3), student (D-2), work (E-7), and workation (F-1-D) visas.

The 2025 Korean Visa Guide: Your Essential Info

Hey there, Hello Korea Daily readers!

Whether you’re dreaming of a life in Korea or you’re already here, visas are probably one of the most important things on your mind. 

We’ve put together a detailed guide to Korea's visa system for 2025, based on the latest information available (as of August 6, 2025). We hope this guide helps everyone who’s navigating the visa process!

Important Notice: The information below is a general guide, and visa policies can change at any time. For the most accurate details, always check the official websites: Korea Visa Portal (www.visa.go.kr) or HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr), or contact a Korean embassy or consulate.

1. Your First Step to Korea: The Tourist & Short-Term Visa (C-3)

If you want to stay in Korea for less than 90 days without working for a profit, the C-3 visa is your go-to. Many countries have a visa-waiver agreement with Korea, which means you can enter without a visa. 

But here’s the crucial part: you still need to apply for a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) before you arrive.

Who it's for: Foreign nationals visiting for tourism, socializing, market research, or short-term business for up to 90 days.

What to watch out for: Even if you can enter visa-free, you must check if you're from a country that requires a K-ETA. You could be denied entry without one. You are strictly forbidden from engaging in any for-profit activities.

Key things to consider: Applying for a K-ETA is mandatory for many. Be ready to show documents that prove your purpose of visit and length of stay, like flight tickets and accommodation bookings.

2. Want to Study in Korea? Student (D-2) & Language Training (D-4) Visas

If you want to experience Korea's amazing education system, you'll need either a D-2 (Student) or D-4 (Language Training) visa. These are for long-term academic pursuits.

Who it's for:

D-2: Students enrolled in a degree program at a Korean university, junior college, or graduate school.

D-4: Foreigners staying for six months or more for non-degree courses, such as language training.

What to watch out for: If you have a D-2 visa, you must maintain a certain academic standing to extend your stay. 

While working is generally not allowed, you can get a Part-Time Work Permit to work up to 20 hours a week (during the semester), provided you meet certain requirements (like language ability and attendance). Working without this permit is considered illegal.

Key things to consider: Be prepared with a lot of documents, including your acceptance letter and proof of financial solvency.

3. Work as a Pro in Korea: The Specified Activities Visa (E-7)

The E-7 visa is for skilled professionals with specific knowledge or skills who want to work in Korea. This often applies to high-demand jobs like IT developers, researchers, and engineers.

Who it's for: Skilled workers employed under a contract with a public or private institution in Korea, fitting into one of the 87 specific occupations designated by the Ministry of Justice.

What to watch out for: You can’t just be a “professional” to get this visa. Your job must fall within a specific category, and you need an invitation and contract from an employer. 

The Regional Specialized Visa program, launched in 2024, might allow you to get an E-7 visa if you commit to living and working in a specific region for a period of time to help boost the local population.

Key things to consider: The visa application often requires that your salary meets or exceeds the standard pay for a Korean in the same industry.

4. The Workation Visa (F-1-D): A New Trend for Digital Nomads

With the rise of remote work, the Workation Visa (F-1-D) has become a hot topic in Korea. This special visa allows digital nomads who work for an overseas company or run their own business to stay in Korea for up to two years, blending work and travel.

Who it's for: Foreigners who work remotely for a foreign company or are self-employed.

What to watch out for: The visa was a pilot program in 2024 and may continue or become a formal visa in 2025. 

It has strict requirements, including an income requirement (more than twice the GNI of the previous year), no criminal record, and overseas health insurance.

Key things to consider: Family members (spouse and minor children) can also apply. Always check the official sites for the latest requirements.

5. Want to Stay for the Long Haul? The Resident (F-2-7) & Permanent Resident (F-5) Visas

If you plan on making Korea your permanent home, you can consider the F-2-7 (Excellent Talent) or F-5 (Permanent Resident) visas. These are for individuals who can contribute to Korean society.

Who it's for:

F-2-7: Skilled professionals who score above a certain threshold on a point-based system that evaluates education, income, Korean language skills, age, and social contributions.

F-5: Foreigners who have been married to a Korean citizen, made a high-value investment, or have lived in Korea for a long time on an F-2 visa.

What to watch out for: The F-2-7 point system can change with policy adjustments, so you must check the latest scoring criteria when you apply. The application process for both F-2 and F-5 visas is very complex and demanding.

Key things to consider: It's highly recommended to consult with an expert or speak directly with the immigration office for detailed guidance.

Final Tips for a Smooth Visa Process in 2025

Korea’s visa system for 2025 has been streamlined to meet the diverse needs of foreign nationals. However, visa requirements and policies can change at any time. 

While this guide is a great place to start, the safest and most reliable method is to always check the official websites, the Korea Visa Portal and HiKorea. Hello Korea Daily wishes you the best of luck with your move to Korea!

If you've made it this far, please consider leaving a comment! Even a single word is a huge encouragement and motivates me to create more content. Thanks for reading!

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