Korea F-3 Dependent Visa and Spousal Work — Out-of-Status Activity Rules

Overview

F-3 (Dependent) is for the spouse and unmarried minor children of persons holding statuses from D-1 through E-7, F-2, F-4 or H-2. Persons under D-3 (Industrial Training) are excluded.

The most common question in practice is spousal employment. Spouses of professional personnel may work in professional fields (E-1 to E-7, excluding E-6-2) and, in defined cases, certain simple-labour fields.

At a Glance

Scope of Activity

• Residing as an accompanying family member
• Where permitted, activity in professional fields (E-1 to E-7, excluding E-6-2)
• Where permitted, simple-labour fields (agriculture, forestry and livestock within the H-2 employment scope)

Who Qualifies

• Spouses of persons holding statuses from D-1 through E-7, or F-2, F-4 or H-2
• Minor children of such persons who have no spouse
• Persons under D-3 (Industrial Training) are excluded

Required Documents

• Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34), passport, one standard photo, fee
• Family relationship documents (original marriage or birth certificates; for China, resident ID, marriage certificate and hukou)
• ARC of the principal status holder (spouse or parent)
• Letter of guarantee
• Evidence of financial capacity and proof of residence
• Tuberculosis certificate under the applicable guideline

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

• Out-of-status activity for spouses of professionals: eligible are spouses of E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4, E-5, E-6 (excluding E-6-2) and E-7 holders (including spouses of E-7-4 skilled workers), and adult spouses of F-2, F-4 and H-2 holders.
• Permitted fields are professional occupations (E-1 to E-7, excluding E-6-2) and simple labour (agriculture, forestry and livestock within the H-2 scope).
• For simple-labour work, additional documents are required: standard labour contract, business registration or corporate registry extract, a copy of the employer's ID, proof of Korean ability (TOPIK level 2 or KIIP level 2 or above) and proof of completing the early adaptation programme (waived until the programme is in place).
• Talent spouse pilot (30 Mar 2026 – 29 Mar 2027): adult spouses of domestic master's (D-2-3) and doctoral (D-2-4) students, and of E-1, E-3, E-4 and E-5 holders, receive a comprehensive permit covering all activity except restricted fields. Starting and ending work must be reported within 15 days; failure to report leads to cancellation of the permit.
• 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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