Overview
F-1 (Visiting and Cohabitation) covers stays for visiting relatives, living with family, being supported by a family member, settling household affairs and similar purposes.
The categories are broad; in practice the residual clause — persons recognised as needing a long stay in Korea for unavoidable reasons without engaging in occupational activity — is frequently examined.
At a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Status | Visiting and Cohabitation (F-1) |
| Purpose | Visiting relatives, living with family, dependency, settling household affairs, etc. |
| Max period per grant | 2 years |
| Guidelines | Where a specific guideline exists, it applies in preference |
Scope of Activity
- Visiting relatives
- Living with family and being supported
- Settling household affairs
- Other similar purposes of stay
Who Qualifies
- Overseas adoptees who held Korean nationality at birth
- Domestic helpers of foreign diplomats stationed in Korea
- Cohabitants of A-1 to A-3 status holders who do not belong to that household
- Accompanying children aged 21 or over, or other family members, of SOFA personnel
- Spouses or minor children of F-2 (Residence) status holders
- Minors who need support from a Korean national parent with custody who is domiciled in Korea
- Carers of a minor child of Korean nationality born out of wedlock
- Others recognised as needing a long stay in Korea for unavoidable reasons without engaging in occupational activity
Required Documents
- Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34), passport, one standard photo, fee
- Family relationship documents (original birth or marriage certificates; for China, resident ID, marriage certificate, hukou, etc.)
- ARC of the father or mother where applicable
- Letter of guarantee
- 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
- Foreign public documents require a translator's certification, plus an apostille for convention states or consular confirmation by the Korean mission for non-member states.
- Spouses and minor children of H-2 holders may be granted F-1 up to the H-2 holder's period of stay; minor children of F-4 holders may be granted F-1 until age 25 (married children excluded).
- F-1 and F-3 holders wishing to serve as foreign-language proofreaders (E-7) at state agencies or public bodies need the application form, employment contract, a copy of the business registration certificate, a recommendation from the head of the institution and a degree certificate.
- 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. Can I work on F-1?
A. F-1 does not presuppose occupational activity. There are, however, separately prescribed out-of-status routes such as serving as an E-7 foreign-language proofreader at a state agency or public body.
Q. Until what age can an F-4 holder's child hold F-1?
A. Minor children of F-4 holders may be granted F-1 until age 25 (married children excluded).
Q. What is the maximum stay?
A. The maximum period per grant for F-1 is 2 years.