Overview
D-5 (Journalism) covers foreign nationals stationed in Korea for news gathering and reporting on the basis of dispatch by, or contract with, a foreign news organisation.
Staff dispatched by a foreign news organisation that already has a branch or bureau in Korea are expressly listed as eligible.
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 | Journalism (D-5) |
| Basis | Dispatch by or contract with a foreign news organisation |
| Max period per grant | 2 years |
| Workplace change | Not subject to workplace-change reporting (a change of the organisation's name is an alien registration change report) |
Scope of Activity
- News gathering while stationed in Korea
- Reporting while stationed in Korea
Who Qualifies
- Persons dispatched by a foreign newspaper, broadcaster, magazine or other news organisation to be stationed in Korea for news gathering and reporting
- Persons stationed in Korea under contract with a foreign news organisation for news gathering and reporting
- Persons dispatched by a foreign news organisation that already has a branch or bureau in Korea
Required Documents
- Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34), passport and ARC, fee
- Dispatch order or certificate of employment
- Contract with the news organisation (for contract-based postings)
- Documents relating to the Korean branch or bureau where applicable
- 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
- Lawful residents registered under D-5–D-9 or E-1–E-7 may give foreign-language conversation instruction to colleagues within their own workplace without a separate out-of-status activity permit or report.
- Volunteer conversation instruction that is neither commercial nor paid is likewise outside the permit/report requirement — but if conversation instruction becomes the main activity, the exemption no longer applies.
- A change in the name of a D-5 holder's affiliated organisation 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. Do freelance journalists qualify for D-5?
A. The manual lists eligibility on the premise of dispatch by or contract with a foreign news organisation. Confirm individual cases with Immigration.
Q. Must I report a change of workplace?
A. D-5 is not subject to workplace change/addition reporting, but a change in the organisation's name is an alien registration change report.
Q. May I teach English at my office?
A. Conversation instruction for colleagues within your own workplace is not subject to an out-of-status activity permit or report.
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.