Visa

The Basic Act on Overseas Koreans defines overseas Koreans as: 1. a Korean citizen who has stayed in a foreign country for a long period of time or has acquired permanent residency in a foreign country (overseas Korean national); 2. a person who held Korean nationality by birth or his/her direct descendants who do not have Korean nationality; It is defined as a person (compatriot of foreign nationality).

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Unlike other foreigners, overseas Koreans with foreign nationality can be issued overseas Korean (F-4) and visiting employment (H-2) visas in accordance with the Basic Act on Overseas Koreans. The Overseas Korean (F-4) visa allows for long-term stays in Korea. It is possible to freely obtain employment in most fields except simple labor.

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On the other hand, the Visiting Employment (H-2) residence status is for foreign nationals from China and the Soviet Union, and they can work in permitted industries in the simple labor field.