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F-1 Family Visitation / F-3 Dependent Family

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Residence permits for family members of work-visa and student-visa holders in Korea — F-3 for dependents of E-series workers, F-1 for extended family visits.

No sponsorship requiredDoes not lead to permanent residencyTied to the sponsoring family member's visa status.
Processing time
2–4 weeks.
Government fees
KRW 130,000.
Typical duration
Tied to the sponsoring family member's visa status.
Sponsorship required
No
Leads to permanent residency
No
Reviewed Korea Immigration Service ↗

In short

As of 8 July 2026, the F-1 Family Visitation / F-3 Dependent Family for Republic of Korea is an unsponsored South Korea immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Korea government pages, reviewed 8 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/south-korea/family-visa-korea#answer

What is the F-1 Family Visitation / F-3 Dependent Family in Republic of Korea?

F-1 Family Visitation / F-3 Dependent Family is an unsponsored South Korea route. Indicative government fees are KRW 130,000; indicative processing time is 2–4 weeks; typical duration is Tied to the sponsoring family member's visa status. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Korea Immigration Service on 18 April 2026.

Overview

Korea provides family visa categories for dependents of foreign workers and students. The F-3 visa is for spouses and minor children of E-series (employment) visa holders — F-3 holders can apply for work permission. The F-1 visa covers broader family visitation. For family members seeking long-term residence with work rights, the pathway through F-2-7 (points-based) is the most effective route. Spouses of F-5 (permanent resident) or F-6 (marriage to a Korean national) have dedicated visa categories with work rights.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Sponsor is established in Korea

    The primary visa holder must have a valid, active visa status in Korea.

  2. Apply for F-3 visa at Korean consulate

    Submit the family visa application with relationship and financial evidence.

  3. Enter Korea and register

    Obtain ARC within 90 days of arrival.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For F-1 Family Visitation / F-3 Dependent Family, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check the conditions for your own permission, including work, and keep evidence of the qualifying relationship. The principal applicant’s conditions may differ.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official F-1 Family Visitation / F-3 Dependent Family instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to South Korea

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official portalApplicant
    Apply through Korea Visa Portal ↗

    Use the official visa portal or Korean consulate process for F-1 or F-3 family visa filing.

    Korea Visa Portal / Ministry of Justice · verified

  2. Official portalApplicant
    Use Hi Korea after arrival ↗

    Use Hi Korea for alien registration, appointments and dependent stay services after entry.

    Korea Immigration Service · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Can my spouse work on an F-3 visa?+

F-3 holders can apply for work permission at the immigration office. Permission is assessed case-by-case. Once granted, the spouse can work — but it is not automatic. For spouses seeking unrestricted work rights, transitioning to F-2-7 (points-based) is the best long-term strategy.

How do I bring my spouse and children to Korea on a work visa?+

Spouses and minor children of E-series work-visa holders apply for the F-3 dependent family visa, submitting marriage or birth certificates (with apostille) and financial evidence that the sponsor can support the family. After arriving, dependents must obtain an Alien Registration Card within 90 days. Confirm current requirements on the official Hi Korea portal.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in South Korea

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Korea Immigration Service

Last checked: 18 April 2026

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