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The Korean Consulate General in Chicago
I. General Information

Following is the general information for U.S. citizen's Korean Visa application.
In principle, U.S. citizens need to have a Korean Visa to enter into Korea, but they can visit Korea within 30 days without the visa for the purpose of tourism or transient stop-over.
Normally, it takes 2-3 business days to process a visa application.
* The following items are required for all visa categories:
1. Valid passport and 1 copy of its personal data page
2. A completed visa application
3. A passport picture (2x2, color) attached to application
4. Visa Fee: US citizen $45 (non US citizen: check with visa section)
* Money order only
- pay to : Korena Consulate General
- Cash accepted in person
5. Self-addressed, pre-paid envelope for return of the passport by mail
6. Foreign nationals with U.S. permanent residency : copy of Alien Registration Card (front & back)
* Visa Application Form 

II. The frequently-asked visa category

The category of Korean visa varies depending on the application's period and purpose of stay.
The following is the detailed information about the frequently asked visa category.
1.
 Short-term Visitor status(C-3)
 

- US citizens who want to visit Korea for the purpose of tourism, academic conference,
relative-visitation, religious ceremony, etc, within 3 months are required to apply for C-3
visa.

- In case of US citizens, a 5-year valid multiple entry visa is usually issued.

- This visa holder can stay up to 90 days at a time when he/she visits Korea.

- The necessary documents are as follows
1) Valid passport
2) Completed visa application form with photo attached.
2.
 Short-term Business status(C-2)
 

- US citizens who want to visit Korea for the purpose of business such as marketing
research, business negotiations, pilot operation of export machines, etc, within 3 months
are required to apply for C-2 visa.

- In case of US citizens, a 5-year valid multiple entry visa is usually issued.

- This visa holder can stay up to 90 days at a time when he/she visits Korea.

- The necessary documents are as follows
1) Valid passport
2) Completed visa application form with photo attached.
3) Notarized letter from the hiring company (content must indicate the purpose of the journey, references in Korea, guarantee of expenses, etc)
3.
 Student status(D-2)
 

- U.S citizens who wish to pursue academic degree courses of study at a university or
qualified higher educational institution need to apply for D-2 visa

- The necessary documents are as follows
1) Valid passport
2) Completed visa application form with photo attached.
3) Standard admission letter from university.
4.
 Investor status(D-8)
 

- the employees of the corporation who has invested the capital into Korea according to
Korean Statute "Foreign Investment Act" can apply for D-8 visa.

- the scope of employee who is eligible for D-8 visa.
1) executive or senior manager: an employee performing supervisory or executive
duties.
2) an employee with essential skills: an employee having specialized knowledge or skills
for the operation of the invested company.

- The necessary documents are as follows
1) Valid passport
2) Completed visa application form with photo attached.
3) Temporary duty order(transfer order) or statement of employment
4) Certificate of foreigner's investment report or certificate of business registration

* It is highly recommended for applicant to obtain Certificate for Recognition of Visa
Issuance from the local Korean Immigration Service, for the expeditious and
streamlined visa issuance. (please, refer to the following #¡Í©÷ about this Certificate)
5.
 English Instructor status(E-2)
 

- US citizen who want to teach English at foreign language institutions or organizations
need to apply for E-2 visa.

- The applicant is required to have a bachelor degree or equivalent degree.

- The necessary documents are as follows
1) Valid passport and 1 copy of its personal data page
2) Completed visa application (with confirmation of visa issuance number from Korean Ministry of Justice)
3) A passport picture (2x2, color) attached to application
4) A copy of certificate of academic degree or transcript certified
5) Self-addressed, pre-paid envelope for return of the passport by mail
6) visa interview is required (Consul¡¯s check list)
* need to make an appointment for an interview and it takes 2-3 business days to complete the process of a visa application after the interview.

6.
 Visa status for Korean-Americans
 

(1) F-1 status

- Korean-Americans who wish to stay in Korea to visit his/her relatives more than 90days
need to apply for F-1 visa

- F-1 visa holders can stay up to one-year in Korea but this status is extendable with the
local Korean Immigration Office.

- The necessary documents are as follows
1) Passport
2) Completed visa application form with photo attached.
3) Documents proving applicant's origin is Korean such as Korean family registry or
marriage certificate , birth certificate, etc
4) Reference (Sponsorship letter) : Applicant who is under the age of 17 is exempt from
this sponsorship letter

(2) F-4 status

- Naturalized Korean-American and his/her immediate descendants can apply for F-4 visa.

- F-4 visa holders can engage in extensive activity including work in Korea up to two-years
unlike other visa status, and this status is extendable with Local Immigration Office.

- For F-4 visa to be issued, the applicant needs to fulfil his Korean nationality renunciation
report with Korean Ministry of Justice or Korean Consulate before visa application.

- The necessary documents are as follows
1) Passport
2) Completed visa application form with photo attached.
3) Documents proving applicant's origin is Korean such as Korean family registry or,
birth certificate, etc
4) Document proving that applicant completed his/her Korean nationality renunciation
report
5)Other documents which are deemed to be necessary by the Korean Justice Minister.

* The Validity period for multiple visa is 3 years and maximum duriation of stay is 2 years.
III. Visa Issuance Recognition Certificate(Number)
- In regards to long-term visas, especially work visas, it is highly recommended for applicant to obtain Certificate for Recognition of Visa Issuance(number) for the streamlined visa processing.

- The employer of applicant or inviting company in Korea is required to apply for this Certificate with a local Korean Immigration Office.

- After the Certificate Number is issued, applicant needs to submit his/her visa application along
with the Certificate Number to the nearest Korean Consulate.
IV. Necessary Documents for Korean Visa Application
1.
 Regardless of visa status, the following two documents are needed.
 

1) Valid Passport
2) Completed Visa Application form with one photo attached

2.
 Additional Documents for Visa Status each
Status Required Documents
Diplomats
(A-1)
  • Temporary duty order or statement of employment or official letter from Foreign Minister to certify his or her status(Those documents may be replaced by verbal notes when his or her status is identified by showing identification card etc.)

    *A diplomatic passport is required. However, even a person who desires to do his diplomatic duty with a general passport and his family members will be included in this category
Officials
(A-2)
  • Temporary duty order or statement of employment or official letter from Foreign Minister to certify his or her status(Facts he or she is on official duty must be included in the letter)

    *An official passport or identification card is required. However, even a person who desires to do his official duty with a general passport or who works for an international organization and his family members will be included in this category
Agreement
(A-3)
  • Temporary duty order or statement of employment or official letter from Foreign Minister to certify his or her status

    *An official passport or identification card is required
Temporary News Coverage
(C-1)
  • Temporary duty order or statement of employment issued by the company where he or she belongs, or certificate of foreign news reporter
Short-Term Business
(C-2)
  • Documents proving the fact that the purpose of his or her visit to Korea is on business
Short-Term Visitors
(C-3)
  • No documents are required
Short-Term Employment
(C-4)
  • Letter of employment contract.
  • Letter of employment recommendation issued by the head of the relevant central government agency(an entertainer needs a letter of performance recommendation issued by the Image Stuff Classification Committee), an official letter from the relevant government agency or documents proving the necessity of employment
  • English Instructor for Summer or Winter Camp
  • (Diploma, Criminal Record(Attatched Apostille), Employment Contract, Document regarding Establishment of school or Organization)
Culture/Art
(D-1)
  • Letter of invitation
  • Documents proving the fact that it is culture and art organization
    - certificate of expert's career will be required in case that the applicant needs his or her instruction Curriculm vitae or certificate of career Documents proving the applicant's capability to pay his or her whole travel expenses during his or her stay

    *A above-mentioned expert means a person who qualifies intangible cultural assets or who holds a certificate of qualification recognized by government agency
Students
(D-2)
  • A student who study in junior college or university
    - An admission letter issued by the president of college or university
  • A person who research at an educational/scientific research organization
    - Substantiating documents for the research
    - Certificate of the last school
    - Letter of personal reference notarized or Financial Affidavit
Industrial Trainees
(D-3)
  • Training program written by training organization
  • Copy of wage or pay ledger
  • Letter of recommendation issued by aliens training company or documents proving the fact that he or she will be trained at the industrial company concerned
  • Letter of personal reference notarized
General Trainees
(D-4)
  • A student who learns Korean language at a language institute attached to college or university, or who is involved in study training according to academic exchange agreement between colleges or Universities needs the following documents;
    - Certificate of school enrollment or school attendance Financial Affidavit
    - certificate of remittance or money exchange(more than U.S. $3,000)
    - Letter of personal reference notarized is required in case that the applicant cannot prove his or her capability to pay travel expenses necessary to stay, including school fees etc., or if Justice Minister deems particularly necessary
  • A student who study in secondary school or below
    - An admission letter
    - Certificate of graduation or school attendance
    - Financial affidavit(one of the following items)
    * Letter of personal reference notarized
    * Certificate of expenses burden issued by chief of the school in case that expenses for stay are borne by school authority
    * in other cases, certificate of bank blance or remittance or money exchange(more than U.S $3000)
  • A student who participates in other training programs will need the following documents;
    - certificate of training
    - documents regarding establishment of training institutes
    - Financial Affidavit
    * certificate of remittance or money exchange(more than U.S. $3,000)
    - Letter of personal reference notarized is required in case the applicant cannot prove his or her capability to pay travel expenses necessary to stay, including school fees etc., or if Justice Minister deems particularly necessary
Residence Reporters
(D-5)
  • Temporary duty order or statement of employment
  • Documents related to performance on operation funds for branch office in Korea
Religious workers
(D-6)
  • Temporary mission order
  • Copy of a certificate of religious organization or social welfare organization establishment
  • Documents proving the facts that relevant organizations pay the applicant's travel expenses
Intracompany Transferees
(D-7)
  • Temporary duty order or statement of employment
  • Copy of certificate of setting up branch office or liason office
  • Documents proving achievement of business fund borrowing or copy of business project
  • Certificate of annual tax
Treaty Investors
(D-8)
  • Temporary duty order or statement of employment
  • Certificate of foreigner's investment report, including copy of register book or certificate of business registration
  • Certificate of registered investment company
Treaty Traders
(D-9)
  • Statement of employment
  • Certificate of trade business code
  • Document regarding business fund borrowing or copy of business project
  • Receipt of annual tax-payment
Professors
(E-1)
  • Certificate of career
  • Employment contract or certificate of expected employment
Teaching Foreign Languages
(E-2)
  • Certificate of academic degree
  • Employment contract
  • Document regarding establishment of school or organization
  • Letter of personal reference notarized
  • Criminal Record (Attached Apostille)
  • Applicant¡¯s Health Statement
  • Transcript Certified
Research
(E-3)
  • Documents regarding establishment of inviting organization
  • Certificate of academic degree and certificate of career
  • Employment contract.
Instruction of Technology
(E-4)
  • Temporary duty order or statement of employment
  • Copy of approved technology-import contract or copy of technology-import contract (or certificate of service transactions) or certificate of designated military defense industry
  • Documents regarding establishment of a public or private organization
Speciality Occupation
(E-5)
  • Certificate of academics degree and certificate of qualification
  • Letter of employment recommendation issued by the head of central government agency or documents proving the necessity of employment
  • Employment contract.
Art and Entertainment
(E-6) 		1. Person, who desire to be engaged in performance or entertainment activities at tourist hotels and entertainment places require;
  • Letter of performance recommendation issued by the Image stuff Classification committee
  • Performance project
  • Certificate of HIV test
  • Letter of personal reference notarized
2. Others require;
  • Letter of employment recommendation issued by the head of the relevant central government agency or documents proving the necessity of employment
  • Certificate of qualification or certificate of career
  • Letter of personal reference notarized
Particular Occupation
(E-7)
  • Certificate of academic degree or certificate of qualification
  • Emploment contract
  • Letter of employment recommendation issued by the head of the relevant central government agency or documents proving the necessity of employment
  • Documents regarding the establishment of a public or private organization
  • Lette of personal reference notarized
Training Employment
(E-8)
  • Contract training employment
  • Letter of recommendation issued by the head of the training company
  • Certificate of technology qualification
  • Letter of personal reference notarized
  • Documents that Justice Minister deems necessary
Visiting&
Joining Family(F-1) 		1. Persons who visit family or relatives who live in Korea require;
  • Documents proving relationship of family or relatives(certificate of marriage & register book or certificate of birth)
  • Letter or personal reference notarized
    *Person adopted abroad require a certificate of confirmation or statement of adopting parents
2. Domestic helper of diplomats in Korea requires;
  • Official letter issued by foreign embassy or consulate
  • Employment contract
  • Copy of diplomat's ID
3. Foreign students who enrolled in elementary/junior/high school require;
  • certificate of school enrollment or school attendance
  • Certificate of adapted person's annual tax-payment
Residence(F-2)
  • Documents proving family relationship(certificate of marriage or register book
  • Financial affidavit
  • Letter of personal reference notarized
  • persons who are granted a status of or stay or who change the status require ;
    - Documents certifying that an applicant has continuously lived at his or her permanent address in Korea
    - Letter of personal reference notarized (but a child of a person having residence status is excluded)
Dependent Families(F-3)
  • Document proving family relationship(certificate of marriage & register book or certificate of birth)
  • Statement of employment and certificate of tax-payment
Korean Residents
Abroad(F-4) 		1. A person who had had a Korean nationality before acquiring a foreign nationality
  • Korean family register(removal), and other documents proving the fact that he or she had a Korean nationality
  • Documents proving the reasons and the year/month/day of acquiring a foreign nationality
  • Documents proving not to engaged in employment activities prescribed in each subparagraph of Article 23, paragraph 3 of the Presidential Decree including manual labor such as certificate of annual tax-payment, or certificate of income payment etc. (limited to Overseas Korean of the country which produce many illegal stayers in Korea through the notification of the Minister of Justice)
  • Other documents which are deemed to be necessary by the Minister of Justice
2. A person whose either of parents or either of either of grandparents had a Korean nationality before his or her acquiring a foreign nationality
  • Documents proving the fact that immediate ascendants were Korean nationality
  • Documents proving the reasons and the year/month/day of acquiring a foreign nationality of the applicant and his or her immediate ascendants
  • Documents proving relation to immediate ascendants or descendants (ex. birth certificate etc.)
  • Documents proving not to engaged in employment activities prescribed in each subparagraph of Article 23, paragraph 3 of the Presidential Decree including manual labor such as certificate of annual tax-payment, or certificate of income payment etc. (limited to Overseas Korean of the country which produce many illegal stayers in Korea through the notification of the Minister of Justice)
  • Other documents which are deemed to be necessary by the Minister of Justice
Other(G-1)
  • Documents proving the purpose of entry(subpoena issued by the court or medical doctor's prescription)
  • Documents proving the capability to pay for the cost of litigation or medical treatment
Working Holiday
  • Return flight ticket
  • Documents proving that an applicant has capability to burden expenses for travel and stay
  • Travel itinrary and plan
    * This type of visa can be issued to the citizens of Australia, New zealand, Canada and Japan.
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