Overview
D-1 (Culture and Art) is for persons engaging in academic or artistic activity not aimed at profit.
It includes those conducting specialised research into Korean traditional culture or art, or receiving instruction from an expert — but invitations from for-profit bodies such as ordinary taekwondo or dance academies do not qualify.
Requirements, documents and periods in this article follow the Korea Immigration Service (Ministry of Justice) Foreign Residence Guide Manual (March 2026) and the Immigration Act and its Enforcement Decree/Rules (law.go.kr). The manual is supplementary guidance; approval is decided by the reviewing officer. Always confirm your own case with the competent Immigration Office.
At a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Status | Culture and Art (D-1) |
| Nature | Academic or artistic activity not aimed at profit |
| Excluded | Invitations from for-profit bodies such as ordinary taekwondo or dance academies |
| Max period per grant | 2 years |
Scope of Activity
- Non-profit academic activity
- Non-profit artistic activity
Who Qualifies
- Persons undertaking academic or artistic activity not aimed at profit
- Persons conducting specialised research into Korean traditional culture or art
- Persons receiving expert instruction in Korean traditional culture or art
Required Documents
- Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34), passport and ARC, fee
- Letter of invitation and activity plan from the inviting body
- Documents evidencing the inviting body (corporate registry extract, unique number certificate, etc.)
- Evidence of ability to cover living costs
- Proof of residence
Application Process
- Check eligibility — confirm your current status, career, degree and contract type match the requirements.
- Prepare documents — foreign public documents need a translator's certification plus an apostille (or consular confirmation for non-member states).
- Book a visit — reserve a slot at your Immigration Office via HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr), or file online where e-Application is available.
- File and pay — submit the Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34) and pay the screening fee.
- Review — respond to any request for supplementary documents within the deadline.
- Result — on approval, the period of stay and status are granted; reissue your ARC if required.
Key Points
- Income-generating artistic or performance work belongs to E-6, not D-1.
- Invitations issued by for-profit organisations are excluded from D-1.
- For non-profit D-1 holders, a change of affiliated institution or organisation (including a name change) is handled as an alien registration change report.
- Documents issued in Korea must normally be dated within 3 months unless another validity period applies.
- Documents already on file in your alien registration record need not be resubmitted.
- Health certificates, drug test results and pre-employment medical reports must be submitted sealed by the issuing hospital (do not open).
- You must be in Korea when applying; leaving the country after filing may result in refusal.
- Screening fees are non-refundable once the application is accepted.
- The head of the Immigration Office may add or waive documents where necessary for review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does coming to learn taekwondo qualify as D-1?
A. The manual explicitly states that invitations by for-profit bodies such as ordinary taekwondo or dance academies do not qualify. Check the nature of the inviting body first.
Q. What if I am paid an appearance fee?
A. Profit-oriented performance activity falls under E-6.
Q. How long is the stay?
A. The maximum period per grant for D-1 is 2 years.
Q. What is this article based on?
A. Requirements, documents and periods in this article follow the Korea Immigration Service (Ministry of Justice) Foreign Residence Guide Manual (March 2026) and the Immigration Act and its Enforcement Decree/Rules (law.go.kr). The manual is supplementary guidance; approval is decided by the reviewing officer. Always confirm your own case with the competent Immigration Office.