[May 2025 Latest] All about South Korea's Short-Term Visit (C-3) Visa! [For Foreign Residents in Korea]

1. Eligible Persons and Scope of Activities

This applies to individuals who intend to stay for a period not exceeding 90 days for purposes such as market research, business communication, consultation, contract, tourism, transit, recuperation, visiting relatives, participating in or observing friendly matches, various events or conferences, cultural arts, general training, instruction, attending religious ceremonies, collecting academic materials, and other similar purposes.

• As of '11.12.15, the Short-term Business (C-2) and Short-term General (C-3) visa categories have been integrated.
• The Short-term Visit (C-3) visa category cannot be issued to individuals for profit-making purposes.

Detailed Codes for Stay Status

2. Maximum Duration of Stay Permitted at One Time

90 days

3. Permission to Change Stay Status

As a general rule, permission to change stay status is not granted. Therefore, individuals whose period of stay exceeds 90 days must be advised to obtain the appropriate long-term stay visa and enter Korea with it.

However, changes may be permitted in exceptional cases as follows:

• Group Tourists (C-3-2): For group tourists (C-3-2) and individuals holding a guaranteed individual visa (C-3-2), a change of stay status may be permitted only if there are no available flights for departure or if there are unavoidable reasons such as applying for permanent residency or naturalization.
• Chilean Nationals: Chilean nationals holding a Short-term Visit (C-3-4) visa who wish to stay for 6 months or more must obtain permission to change their stay status to Residence (D-7), Corporate Investment (D-8), or Trade Management (D-9).
• Change to Arts and Performance (E-6): In cases of athletes, performers, dancers entering to undergo team tests, or participants in international competitions with prize money, the Commissioner may grant permission to change stay status at their discretion upon submission of relevant supporting documents. (However, activities falling under Hotel and Entertainment (E-6-2) are prohibited from changing stay status.)
• Change to Study Abroad (D-2): Although generally restricted, exceptions may be made if the start of the intended course of study falls within the applicant's current period of stay, and the applicant meets one of the following conditions: being a government-sponsored scholar, having received admission to a degree program at a university recognized for attracting foreign students or a university certified for international education quality, or other humanitarian reasons recognized by the Minister of Justice.

4. Permission to Extend Duration of Stay

a. Permission to Extend Duration of Stay

Extension is possible within the 90-day period of stay from the date of entry, provided that the activities fall within the scope of Short-term Visit (C-3), there is no suspicion of illegal employment, and the need for extension is recognized.

Examples of Reasons for Extension

• Proving unavoidable reasons such as the absence of available ships or flights for departure, or unexpected accidents or illnesses occurring at the time of entry.
• Individuals who entered for purposes such as visiting relatives or language study, and for whom there is no suspicion of illegal employment (e.g., ethnic Koreans, family members of marriage migrants).
• Commercial purpose individuals requiring an extension of stay due to reasons such as export/import shipping delays or departure delays.
• Holders of multiple-entry visas who can demonstrate the need to continue staying beyond the period of stay granted upon entry.

b. Restriction on Extension of Stay for Group Tour (C-3-2) Visa Holders

For group tourists (C-3-2) and individuals holding a guaranteed individual visa (C-3-2), extension of stay or change of stay status is permitted only if there are no available flights for departure or if there are unavoidable reasons such as applying for permanent residency or naturalization.

c. Required Documents

• Application Form (Form No. 34), Original Passport, Fee
• Documents substantiating the need for extension of stay.

5. Foreigner Registration

Chilean nationals holding a Short-term Business (C-3-4) visa who intend to stay for more than 91 days must submit the following documents to register as a foreigner under the C-3 status.

• Application Form (Appendix Form No. 34), Original Passport, one standard-sized photograph, Fee.
• Documents proving the purpose of entry, such as proof of transaction history, invitation letters, contracts, export/import-related documents, etc.

※ Chilean nationals holding a Short-term Visit (C-3-4, 6 months) visa are not permitted to stay for more than 6 months. If they wish to stay for 6 months or more, they must obtain permission to change their stay status to Residence (D-7), Corporate Investment (D-8), or Trade Management (D-9).

6. Additional Information

a. Regarding Foreign Nationals of Korean Ancestry: Detailed Information on Visits by Compatriots (C-3-8)

Overview of Short-term Visit (C-3-8): A multiple-entry visa valid for 5 years and allowing a stay of 90 days per entry (C-3-8, Visits by Compatriots) is issued to foreign nationals of Korean ancestry who wish to visit their ancestral country, ensuring free entry and exit. However, employment activities are strictly prohibited under the Short-term Visit (C-3) status.

Eligibility: Foreign nationals of Korean ancestry as defined by Article 2, Item 2 of the "Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Persons of National Merit" are eligible.

Restrictions: Individuals who have been sentenced for certain violent crimes (Articles 1 through 6 of Section 2 of the Act on the Punishment of Specific Violent Crimes), drug offenses, voice phishing, or habitual drunk driving (3 or more times), or any other crime for which a sentence of imprisonment or heavier has been imposed, may have their visa issuance restricted through a substantive review, regardless of entry restrictions.

Required Documents

• Visa Application Form (Appendix Form No. 17), Passport and copy, one standard-sized photograph, Fee.
• Official documents from the country of nationality proving foreign nationality of Korean ancestry.

Visa Issuance Details: A multiple-entry visa valid for 5 years, allowing a stay of 90 days per entry (C-3-8, Visits by Compatriots), will be issued. Visa applications can be made regardless of country, place of birth, or household registration jurisdiction.

b. Obligation to Submit Tuberculosis Diagnosis Certificate

Individuals from high tuberculosis-risk countries entering with a short-term visa status must submit a tuberculosis diagnosis certificate when applying to change to a long-term stay status.

High Tuberculosis-Risk Countries (35 countries): Nepal, Timor-Leste, Russia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, India, Indonesia, China, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Philippines, Laos, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Republic of Moldova, Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Angola, Peru, Papua New Guinea.

c. Points to Note When Applying for Various Permissions

• The validity period of submitted documents is 3 months from the date of issuance, unless otherwise specified.
• All applications for permission to stay must be made while physically present in Korea. Applications submitted and then departing the country may be denied.
• Fees for permission to stay are processing fees and are non-refundable once the application is received.

d. Fee Information

• Permission to Extend Duration of Stay: 60,000 KRW
• Issuance and Reissuance of Alien Registration Card: 30,000 KRW
• Permission to Change Stay Status: 100,000 KRW
• Certificate of Immigration and Exit Records: 2,000 KRW
• Certificate of Foreigner Registration: 2,000 KRW

7. Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q: Can I work or earn money in Korea on a C-3 (Short-term Visit) visa?

A: No, you cannot. The C-3 visa is for non-profit purposes such as market research, tourism, and visiting relatives only. Profit-making employment activities are strictly prohibited.

Q: What are the different types of C-3 visas?

A: The C-3 visa is divided into a total of 9 types depending on the specific purpose: Short-term General (C-3-1), Group Tour (C-3-2), Medical Tourism (C-3-3), Short-term Business (C-3-4), Invitation for Preferred Enterprises (C-3-5), Arrival Tourism (C-3-6), Visits by Compatriots (C-3-8), General Tourism (C-3-9), and Pure Transit (C-3-10).

Q: I entered Korea on a C-3 visa and it looks like I will exceed the period of stay (maximum 90 days). Can I extend it?

A: Yes, you can. If there are unavoidable reasons such as no available ships or flights for departure, or unexpected accidents or illnesses, or if the need for extension is recognized due to visiting relatives without suspicion of illegal employment, or delays in business for commercial purposes, you can extend your stay for up to 90 days from your entry date.

Q: I entered on a Group Tour (C-3-2) visa. Can I change to a different visa?

A: In principle, no. However, a change of stay status may be considered only in very exceptional and unavoidable circumstances, such as having no available flight for departure, or applying for permanent residency or naturalization.

Q: I am a foreign national of Korean ancestry. What are the benefits of the Visits by Compatriots (C-3-8) visa?

A: It is issued to compatriots eligible under the "Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Persons of National Merit" and is a multiple-entry visa valid for 5 years, allowing a stay of up to 90 days per entry. This allows for free visits to the ancestral country.

Q: If I enter Korea on a C-3 visa and then decide I want to study Korean language or study abroad, can I directly change to a D-4 or D-2 visa?

A: In principle, no. You must depart the country and re-enter with a newly issued visa for study abroad (D-2) or language study (D-4). However, a change of status within Korea may be permitted in very exceptional cases, such as being a government-sponsored scholar or receiving admission to a university certified for international education quality.

Q: Do C-3 visa holders also need to register as foreigners?

A: Most C-3 visa holders stay for less than 90 days, so they are not subject to foreigner registration. However, as an exception, if a Chilean national enters for short-term business (C-3-4) purposes and intends to stay for more than 91 days, they must register as a foreigner.

Q: What are the required documents for extending the stay period for a C-3 visa?

A: Basically, you need to submit ① an application form (Form No. 34), ② your original passport, ③ the fee, and ④ documents explaining why the extension of stay is necessary.

Q: If I am a national of a high tuberculosis-risk country entering on a C-3 visa and wish to change to a long-term stay visa in Korea, are there any additional documents required?

A: Yes, nationals of high tuberculosis-risk countries (China, Vietnam, Philippines, etc., 35 countries) who enter with a short-term stay status (C-3, etc.) and apply to change to a long-term stay status must submit a tuberculosis diagnosis certificate issued by a designated hospital.

Q: What is the C-3-10 (Pure Transit) visa?

A: This visa is for transit passengers who intend to travel to a third country via a Korean airport. You cannot undergo entry inspection and enter Korea with this visa.