South KoreaFamily

South Korea dependent family visa (F-3)

F-3 dependent family visa

In short

F-3 lets the spouse and unmarried minor children of foreigners holding statuses from D-1 to E-7 live with them in Korea. Families of industrial trainees (D-3) are excluded. Dependants may not work unless they obtain a separate permission.

Apply on Korea Visa Portal (Ministry of Justice) checked 25 October 2026

Key facts

Fee
US$60Basic Korean visa fee for a single entry of 91 days or more (USD 40 up to 90 days, USD 70 double entry, USD 90 multiple entry). Some passports pay adjusted fees or are exempt, and missions may set the payment method.
Processing time
Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel
Work
No, unless a permission for activities outside the status is granted
Where to apply
At the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence, following its appointment rules

Who qualifies

The spouse and unmarried minor children of a foreigner staying on a status from Korean Arts and Culture (D-1) to Foreign National of Special Ability (E-7), for example D-2 students, D-7 transferees, D-8 investors and E-7 professionals. Family of D-3 industrial trainees cannot use F-3.

Documents

Standard documents plus the inviting person's ID, an invitation letter, a guarantee (reference) letter and a pledge against illegal stay and employment, all Korean-notarised originals; the inviting person's family, marriage and residence certificates as applicable; and proof of the family relationship such as a family register extract, marriage certificate or birth certificate from your country.

Required documents

Identity

  • Original passport valid at least six months beyond travel, plus a copy

Family

  • Korean-notarised invitation, guarantee letter and pledge against illegal stay and work
  • Copy of the sponsor's Korean residence card and passport
  • Proof of relationship (family register extract, marriage or birth certificate)

Other

  • Completed visa application form and one recent colour photo 3.5 x 4.5 cm

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Identity

  • If you are not a national of the country where you apply: proof of legal residence there

Alien registration after arrival

Anyone staying longer than 90 days must register at the immigration office for their place of stay within 90 days of entry and receive a residence card (fee KRW 35,000). If you do not register, the visa is treated as invalid. A change of address must be reported within 15 days to the local district office or the immigration office. Single-entry long-stay visa holders need a re-entry permit before travelling abroad unless they hold a multiple-entry status.

Extensions and changes in Korea

Extensions and changes of status are applied for at the immigration office, usually with an online reservation on HiKorea, before your period of stay expires. Official fees are KRW 60,000 for an extension and KRW 100,000 for a change of status; a permission for activities outside your status costs KRW 120,000, and changing or adding a workplace also KRW 120,000.

How to apply, step by step

  1. Ask your family member in Korea to prepare the notarised invitation, guarantee letter and pledge, and gather your relationship documents.
  2. Check the application rules of the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence and book an appointment if it requires one.
  3. Fill in the visa application form and prepare original documents; papers issued in Korea should be originals.
  4. Submit the application as the mission requires and pay the visa fee.
  5. Wait for the decision; processing times differ between missions, so apply well before travel.
  6. Enter Korea within three months of issue and register as a foreign resident within 90 days of entry.

Frequently asked questions

Can a dependent spouse work in Korea?

Not without a permission for activities outside the status from the immigration office; full-time work needs a work status.

Can my parents come on F-3?

No. F-3 covers only the spouse and unmarried minor children.

Is a bank statement needed?

The sponsor's guarantee documents are the core of the file; the mission may ask for further proof of funds under its own rules.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for South Korea

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days
  • Investor visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel
  • Entrepreneur and start-up visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: Period of stay granted according to the study programme; register within 90 days
  • Language course visa Maximum stay: Granted per course term; register within 90 days if staying longer
  • Researcher visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel

Work

  • Skilled worker visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel
  • Job seeker visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel
  • Intra-company transfer visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel

Family

  • Spouse and partner visa Processing time: Usually a month or more; longer if documents are checked, an interview or field investigation is needed

Residence

Online travel permits

Protection

South Korea visa guide