1. Eligible Individuals and Scope of Activities

• Eligible Individuals: Nationals of countries that have signed a visa exemption agreement with the Republic of Korea, intending to engage in activities as per the agreement.
• Scope of Activities: Stay activities as stipulated in the agreement.

2. Maximum Stay Period Per Entry

• Stay period as stipulated in the agreement.

3. Change of Status of Stay and Extension of Stay Period

• Basic Policy: Generally, extension of stay period or change of status of stay is not permitted for individuals entering under visa exemption agreements or for transit purposes. Therefore, if the period of stay exceeds the period stipulated in the agreement or a period separately set by the Minister of Justice, you must depart from the Republic of Korea and re-enter after obtaining a visa suitable for your purpose.
• Documents for Exceptional Application Requests: If an extension of stay period needs to be applied for due to unavoidable reasons, you may submit the following documents for review. However, the approval is subject to the review outcome.

• Application Form (Prescribed Form No. 34)
• Original Passport
• Fee
• Documents explaining the necessity of the stay period extension.

4. Other Matters (Activities outside of permitted status, Change/Addition of Workplace, Re-entry Permit, Alien Registration)

The provided file regarding the Agreement (A-3) visa does not specify detailed information on activities outside of permitted status, change/addition of workplace, re-entry permits, or alien registration.

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■ Common Precautions Applicable to All Applicants

Please review the following common precautions when applying for various permits for stay.

Application and Document Submission

• Document Validity Period: Unless otherwise specified, documents issued within Korea, such as resident registration copies mentioned in this guide, are valid for 3 months from the date of issuance.
• Omission of Duplicate Documents: Applicants may omit submitting documents that have already been submitted and are kept in the alien registration records when applying for a visa or change of status of stay.
• Simplification of Documents: Applicants should avoid submitting unnecessary documents, such as submitting only the necessary portions of lengthy documents.
• Joint Use of Administrative Information: Documents whose content can be confirmed through the joint use of administrative information pursuant to Article 36(1) of the Act on the Promotion of Information and Communication Infrastructure Development and Information Protection, such as resident registration copies, family relation record certificates, business registration certificates, and tax payment certificates, do not need to be submitted. However, if the data subject (applicant) does not consent to this, the relevant documents must be attached directly.
• Medical Documents: Documents such as health certificates, drug test confirmations, and employment physical examination certificates must be submitted sealed by the issuing medical institution and should not be opened.
• Obligation to Stay in Korea: Foreigners applying for various permits for stay must be currently staying in Korea. Applications may be denied if an applicant departs from Korea after applying. Furthermore, agencies that act on behalf of immigrants cannot submit applications for foreigners who are currently abroad.

Fees

Fees paid for various permit applications are for review services and are non-refundable once the application is submitted.

Major fees are as follows:

Passport and Period of Stay

• Applicable Individuals: All foreigners with long-term status of stay (Excluding diplomatic (A-1), official (A-2), agreement (A-3), permanent resident (F-5), refugee status (F-2) and their families (F-1), humanitarian stay permit holders, refugee applicants and their families (G-1), and stateless persons).
• Criteria for Granting Period of Stay: The period of stay is generally granted within the validity period of the passport.

Reporting Obligation for Aliens Eligible for Employment

• Reporting Individuals: Foreigners with a status of stay that permits employment (D-7, D-8, D-9, E-1 to E-10, F-2, F-4, F-6, H-2).
• Reporting Period: Upon alien registration, when applying for various permits for stay, or upon changing occupation.
• Reporting Content: Own occupation and annual income.
• Reporting Method:

• Occupation: Submit a completed 'Alien Occupation Report Form' when applying for various permits for stay.
• Annual Income: Fill in the 'Annual Income' field on the 'Integrated Application Form (Report Form)' when applying for various permits for stay. (However, F-4 visa holders are exempt from reporting annual income.)

Reporting Obligation for Students Aged 6 to 18

• Eligible Individuals: All foreigners aged 6 to 18 with any status of stay.
• Reporting Content: Whether or not they are enrolled in elementary, middle, or high school.
• Reporting Period:

• Within 15 days of initial enrollment in elementary, middle, or high school, or upon any change in school enrollment status (including advancing to a higher grade).
• When applying for various permits for stay.

• Reporting Method: When applying for various permits for stay, indicate the name of the school of enrollment (or 'not enrolled') in the 'School Enrollment Status' field of the 'Integrated Application Form (Report Form)'.

• Submit proof of enrollment, such as a certificate of enrollment, if currently enrolled.

Submission of Tuberculosis Diagnosis Certificate

Nationals of tuberculosis high-risk countries (35 countries) and others who apply for a visa for long-term stay or change their status of stay within Korea may be required to submit a tuberculosis diagnosis certificate issued by a medical institution designated by the Minister of Justice, depending on specific conditions.

• Exemption: Holders of diplomatic (A-1), official (A-2), and agreement (A-3) visas are exempt from the requirement to submit a tuberculosis diagnosis certificate.

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■ Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q1: Who is eligible to receive an Agreement (A-3) visa?

A: Nationals of countries that have signed a visa exemption agreement with the Republic of Korea, who intend to enter for activities specified in the agreement.

Q2: How long can I stay in the Republic of Korea with an Agreement (A-3) visa?

A: The permitted period of stay is the same as the 'stay period stipulated in the agreement' between the Republic of Korea and the respective country.

Q3: After entering with an Agreement (A-3) visa, can I extend my stay or change to another visa type?

A: In principle, extending the period of stay or changing to another status of stay is not permitted. If you need to stay longer than the agreed period, you must depart from the Republic of Korea and re-enter after obtaining a new visa suitable for your purpose. In cases of unavoidable circumstances, an extension application may be possible, but approval will be determined by review.

Q4: Do I need to submit a tuberculosis diagnosis certificate when entering with an Agreement (A-3) visa?

A: No, holders of the Agreement (A-3) visa are exempt from the requirement to submit a tuberculosis diagnosis certificate.