G-1: Miscellaneous Visa
This visa is for individuals who do not qualify for a Diplomat (A-1) to a Marriage Migrant (F-6), Working Holiday (H-1) or Work and Visit (H-2) status.
The G-1 visa is subdivided into various categories. For example: medical treatment due to industrial accidents and the family member (G-1-1), undergoing medical treatments as a result of diseases or accidents, or you are a guardian of such a person. (G-1-2), involved in a lawsuit (G-1-3), refugee status (G-1-5), fallen victim to prostitution, etc. (G-1-11), Treatment and Recuperation visa/ patient (G-1-10)
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply for a G-1 visa if:
– You have claimed for compensation for industrial accidents
– You are receiving medical treatment for a disease or accident
– You are involved in a lawsuit
– You are in arbitration proceedings for income in arrears
– You have applied for refugee status
– You are permitted to stay in Korea on humanitarian grounds after failing to obtain refugee status
– You are permitted to stay in Korea on humanitarian grounds such as pregnancy and childbirth
– You are a foreign patient
– When grant for G-1 status need to be under consideration on humanitarian grounds such as falling victim to sexual crimes
Documents Required
These are the general documents that are required when applying for the G-1 visa or the Visa Issuance Confirmation. Based on individual cases, the head of a diplomatic mission may request/omit additional documents if it is deemed necessary to examine the genuineness of the invitation, and the qualifications of the inviter and the invitee.
- Visa Application/ Visa Issuance Confirmation
- Valid passport
- One standard size photograph
- Fee
- Documents proving your financial ability to support yourself
Additional Documents
Each diplomatic mission abroad may require different types of documents on a case by case basis. For example, foreign patients may be asked to submit documents proving their illness such as diagnosis, doctor’s notes issued by a Korean/foreign medical institute. In addition, they may also be required to prove their reservations or doctor’s appointments in a Korean hospital and if they are being accompanied by a family member as their primary caregiver documents proving family relations etc.
Maximum Length Of Stay
The maximum length of stay on a G-1 visa is 1 year.
Working on a G-1 Visa
G-1 visa holders whose human rights have been violated and G-1 visa Refugee Status applicants are allowed to engage in activities outside of their visas. To apply for the work permit you need to satisfy specific requirements and criteria of the intended work field. You must apply at your regional immigration office.
Documents Required
- Visa Application Form
- Passport
- Alien Registration Card
- Fee
- Employment Contract
- A photocopy of business registration
Additional documents like: Documents proving various trials/lawsuits and other I.D. may also be required at the discretion of the chief of immigration, depending on individual circumstances.
Change Of Status
You can only apply for a change of status on a G-1 visa if:
You are a Person undergoing medical treatment due to industrial accidents and the family member of the person(G-1-1)
You are currently undergoing medical treatments as a result of diseases or accidents, or you are a caregiver of such a person(G-1-2)
You are involved in a lawsuit (G-1-3)
You are in arbitration proceedings (by a labor office) for income in arrears
You have applied for refugee status (G-1-5), or your application for refugee status has been rejected but you are permitted to stay in the Republic of Korea on a humanitarian ground
You need to stay in the Republic of Korea for a humanitarian reason such as pregnancy or childbirth
You are a patient (G-1-10)
You are in the need of humanitarian considerations as you have fallen victim to prostitution, etc. (G-1-11)
General Documents Required
- Visa Application form
- Valid passport
- One standard-size photograph
- Fee
- A personal reference letter
Additional Documents
Additionally documents for patients undergoing medical treatment due to industrial accidents/ foreign patients undergoing treatment for disease/ pregnancy or childbirth: documents proving family relations (only when accompanying a spouse or immediate family member), Confirmation on the applicant’s living expenses, a letter issued by a medical institution proving the necessity of treatment, documents proving the applicants financial ability to afford living/medical expenses, bill to industrial accident compensation review or re-examination of the compensation, Doctor’s notes on industrial accidents, Documents issued by a medical institution, proving the necessity of long-term treatment etc.
Additional documents for G-1-3 visa holders/individuals in arbitration proceedings (by a labor office) for income in arrears: a photocopy of petition, certificate of starting a suit, a photocopy of legal aid’s written decision, Photocopy of a petition submitted to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Overdue Wage Confirmation issued by the Ministry of Employment and Labor
Additional documents for G-1-5 visa holders: Receipt for Refugee Application
Additional documents for G-1-11 visa holders: Documents proving a lawsuit regarding a rights relief
Extension Of Stay
You are eligible to apply for an extension of stay at your local immigration office.
Documents Required
- Visa Application Form
- Valid Passport
- Alien Registration Card
- Fee
- Proof of residency (i.e. Lease contract, a utility bill payment for any public services etc.)
* Please note that the chief immigration officer may require additional documents such as: Confirmation on the applicant’s living expenses, a letter issued by a medical institution proving the necessity of treatment, documents proving the applicants financial ability to afford living/medical expenses, documents proving family relations, certificate of starting a suit, a photocopy of legal aid’s written decision, Photocopy of a petition submitted to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Receipt for Refugee Application etc.
At the discretion of the chief of the immigration office, an extension of 6 months or 1 year is granted to the applicants who meet all the required criteria.
Re-Entry Permit
Due to the revised Regulations, Re-entry Permit Exemption is implemented now. Under the new law:
– If you are a registered foreigner and plan to return to Korea within 1 year from the departure date, you are exempted from re-entry permit
– If your period of sojourn remains less than 1 year, you are exempted from re-entry permit
for the remaining period.
However, if you need the permission due to the entry restrictions, you may submit application to an Immigration (Branch) Office free of charge.
Required Documents for a re-entry permit:
- An application form
- Valid Passport
- Alien Registration Card
- Fee (single: 30,000 KRW, multiple: 50,000 KRW)
All foreigners who intend to stay in Korea for over 90 days must obtain an Alien Registration Card from the local Immigration Office. You must apply for the alien registration card within 90 days upon your arrival in Korea.
- For more information please contact your local Korean Consulate/ embassy or immigration office. You can also visit the immigration website at www.hikorea.go.kr or call the immigration helpline at 1345.