Overview
An F-4 holder who wishes to keep staying in Korea must obtain an extension of the period of stay. This is the procedure people usually call renewing or extending the residence card.
The core of the file is the application form, the fee, proof of Korean-language ability, and proof of residence (such as a lease). Whether you submit Korean-language proof changes the period granted: up to 3 years, or 1 year (2 years if you have enrolled in the Korea Immigration and Integration Program). Check early whether you are exempt.
At a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Procedure | An F-4 holder who wants to keep staying must obtain an extension of stay |
| Basic documents | Application form, fee, Korean-language proof, proof of residence (lease, etc.) |
| Period granted | Korean-language proof submitted (exempt persons included): up to 3 years / not submitted: 1 year (2 years if enrolled in the Korea Immigration and Integration Program) |
| Common report | Foreigner occupation report form (annual income need not be entered for F-4) |
| Fee | Extension of stay: KRW 60,000 |
| Caution | Persons who have violated the law may have the extension restricted |
Scope of Activity
- Applications to extend the period of stay by persons staying on F-4
- Korean-language proof submitted at extension and the criteria for the period granted
- The occupation report and school-enrollment report to check at the same time
Who Qualifies
- F-4 holders staying in Korea who want to continue staying
- Those who want to know whether they must submit Korean-language proof or are exempt
- Those unsure what can serve as proof of residence
- Those with fines or other violations who are worried about the extension
Required Documents
- Application form
- Fee (extension of stay: KRW 60,000)
- Korean-language proof, where applicable: pre-assessment score sheet of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (21 points or more), program completion certificate (Level 1 or above), TOPIK score report (Level 1 or above), King Sejong Institute certificate (Beginner 1B or above), Ministry of Education Korean Education Center course certificate (Level 2 or above)
- Proof of residence (a lease, etc.)
- Foreigner occupation report form (F-4 is a status that permits work; annual income need not be entered)
- School-enrollment report if aged 6 to 18: enrollment field of the integrated application form and a certificate of enrollment
- Any other document the competent Immigration Office requires (the document list ends with “etc.”, so confirm before filing)
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
- The pre-assessment score of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program and the TOPIK score must be within 2 years of the date results were announced.
- Korean-language proof is waived for persons aged 60 or over, aged 13 or under, those who previously held Korean nationality, and those who graduated from a Korean elementary school or above, among others. Persons who received an F-4 visa before 2 September 2019, and those staying on F-4 at that time, are also exempt from submitting it at extension. In the processing standard, exempt persons are placed on the “submitted (exempt persons included)” side, with up to 3 years.
- Persons who have violated the law may have the extension restricted. Specified violent crimes, imprisonment or heavier sentences for drugs, voice phishing or habitual (3 or more) drunk driving, and combined fines or Immigration Act penalties of KRW 7 million or more are among the restricted categories, so check your own case with the competent office before filing if any of these apply.
- The examination fee is not refunded once the application is accepted. Confirm that everything is in order before you file. There is no fixed processing time; it varies by office, so ask when you file.
- 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. Are extending and renewing a residence card different procedures?
A. An F-4 holder who wishes to keep staying in Korea must obtain an extension of the period of stay. The fee table also lists issuance and reissuance of the residence card (KRW 35,000) separately from the extension fee (KRW 60,000), so confirm the grounds and documents for getting a new card with the competent Immigration Office.
Q. Can I not extend if I do not submit Korean-language proof?
A. The processing criteria grant up to 3 years if proof is submitted (exempt persons included), and 1 year if not (2 years if you have enrolled in the Korea Immigration and Integration Program). It is a criterion for the length of stay granted.
Q. What if I have no lease for proof of residence?
A. The F-4 extension guidance lists only “a lease, etc.” Guidance for other statuses also lists an accommodation confirmation, a notice of impending expiry of stay, utility receipts and dormitory fee receipts, but ask the competent office beforehand whether these are accepted for F-4.
Q. Must I enter annual income when extending?
A. Statuses that permit work must report an occupation when applying for an extension, but F-4 holders do not need to enter annual income on the integrated application form.
Q. How many days does the extension take?
A. There is no fixed processing time; it varies by office. Please check with the competent Immigration Office or HiKorea.