South Korea: Update on In-Country Dependent Visa Applications

• The new policy prohibits in-country F-3 Dependent visa applications in all cases, including:
  • F-3 applications filed separately from a principal applicant’s work visa application.
  • F-3 applications submitted together with work visa applications (e.g., D-8).
• The only exceptions allowed are for compelling humanitarian grounds such as pregnancy, childbirth, or severe illness, which will be reviewed on an individual basis.
• Alternative pathways. This new requirement changes the way dependents may apply for an F-3 dependent visa.
  • VICN pathway. If family members will accompany the work visa holder, both the work visa and F-3 dependent visas can be obtained through the Visa Issuance Confirmation Number (VICN) pre-approval process. This involves submitting the work and F-3 VICN applications at an immigration office in South Korea. Once the VICNs are issued, the principal applicant and their dependents must apply for consular visas (based on the VICNs) at the Korean consulate or embassy in their home country. They may enter Korea after receiving the Visa Grant Notices, and apply for Residence Cards after arrival.
  • Consular pathway. Family members who wish to join the work visa holder at a later time can apply for F-3 visas directly through an overseas Korean consulate or embassy, once the work visa has been granted to the principal applicant.
• Additional requirements for the VICN pathway. When applying for an F-3 visa through the VICN process, the following documents are now required:
  • For dependents: An apostilled marriage certificate (for a spouse) and an apostilled birth certificate (for a child).
  • From the principal applicant: (1) Written proof of annual salary from the previous year to demonstrate financial capability; (2) Letter of guarantee and a confirmation of residence, both issued by the sponsoring company.
• If an F-3 extension is filed separately from the principal applicant’s work visa extension, a letter explaining the reason for the separate filing must be included with the application. District immigration offices may require dependents to appear in person alongside the work visa holder when submitting extension applications.
• The policy is reflected in the latest immigration office practice manual.

Either application pathway is expected to extend the overall processing time for foreign nationals entering South Korea with dependents from three months to four months. Ongoing cases involving dependent F-3 applicants may require additional documentation, such as apostilled marriage or birth certificate.

This comes after a previous related policy restriction in April 2025.

The change is prompted by the reinforcement of documentary requirements and may also be driven by the immigration authorities’ effort to streamline operations at district immigration offices in South Korea.

Given the sudden nature of this policy shift, it remains unclear whether further changes may follow; therefore, employers and foreign nationals are advised to review and adjust their plans for family visa processing accordingly.

Fragomen will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates should any formal announcements be issued by the immigration authorities.