Korea F-1 Visiting and Cohabitation Visa — Seven Eligible Categories

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

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
• 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
• Evidence of financial capacity for living costs
• Proof of residence

Application Process

1. Check eligibility — confirm your current status, career, degree and contract type match the requirements.
2. Prepare documents — foreign public documents need a translator's certification plus an apostille (or consular confirmation for non-member states).
3. Book a visit — reserve a slot at your Immigration Office via HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr), or file online where e-Application is available.
4. File and pay — submit the Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34) and pay the screening fee.
5. Review — respond to any request for supplementary documents within the deadline.
6. 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

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