Diplomat
외교 (A-1) — Diplomatic visa (A-category). For foreign diplomats and consular officers posted to Korea and their family members. This is a status-of-residence tied to an official government posting, not a work/study visa.
At a glance
Members of a foreign government’s diplomatic mission or consular post that Korea has received (accredited), including diplomatic and consular officers; persons who…
The term of office (재임기간) – i.e. the duration of the official assignment/posting.
The A-1 status is for performing official diplomatic/consular duties and does not require a separate work permit for those duties.
None. No Korean-language (TOPIK/KIIP) requirement for the A-1 diplomatic visa.
Fee: Exempt (visa fee waived for the A-1 diplomatic visa).
Who can apply
- ✓Members of a foreign government’s diplomatic mission or consular post that Korea has received (accredited), including diplomatic and consular officers; persons who receive privileges and immunities equivalent to those of a diplomatic envoy under a treaty or international custom; and the family members of the above.
- ✓General passport holders who are diplomacy staff workers and their family members can also fall under A-1.
- ✓Per Immigration Control Act Enforcement Decree attached Table 1 (출입국관리법 시행령 별표1), category 1 Diplomacy (외교): ‘members of a foreign government’s diplomatic mission or consular post received by the Government of the Republic of Korea, persons who under treaty or international practice enjoy privileges and immunities equivalent to those of a diplomatic envoy, and their family members.’
Documents you'll need
- Completed visa application form (attached Form No. 17 (별지 제17호 서식))
- one recent passport photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm, colour)
- a valid diplomatic passport (a general/ordinary passport is accepted for diplomacy staff workers and their family members)
- documents proving dispatch and incumbency (posting/assignment), or a diplomatic note (Note Verbale / Memorandum of Coordination) from the sending country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- for family members of the diplomat, proof of the family relationship (e.g. birth certificate or marriage certificate). The exact list may be adjusted for individual circumstances.
How to apply
- Overseas embassy visa (사증) issued through diplomatic channels, usually supported by a Note Verbale from the sending state’s foreign ministry; not the domestic Certificate of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서) route.
- Handled mainly through diplomatic channels rather than the ordinary visa route.
- Applications are typically submitted at a Korean embassy/consulate abroad, often supported by a diplomatic note from the sending state’s foreign ministry.
- Applications and status matters in Korea are commonly coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) protocol office.
- The required-document list may be modified case by case.
Stay & extension
The term of office (재임기간) – i.e. the duration of the official assignment/posting. Under Immigration Control Act Enforcement Rules attached Table 1 (출입국관리법 시행규칙 별표1) (the upper limit of stay granted at one time (한 번에 부여하는 체류기간의 상한)), the upper limit of stay for A-1 is the term of the diplomatic assignment rather than a fixed number of years.
Because stay is tied to the length of the diplomatic posting, there is no ordinary fixed-term renewal; the status continues for the duration of the assignment. Changes are managed through diplomatic/MOFA channels and immigration as the posting is extended or ends.
When the assignment ends the holder is expected to depart or change status.
Working on this visa
The A-1 status is for performing official diplomatic/consular duties and does not require a separate work permit for those duties. Holders may not engage in profit-making employment in Korea outside their official functions.
Family members generally may not take up private paid employment unless permitted under a bilateral reciprocal employment agreement between Korea and the sending state (verify current agreements; treated here as (unverified) for any specific country).
Requirements in detail
None. No Korean-language (TOPIK/KIIP) requirement for the A-1 diplomatic visa.
No labor-ministry employment endorsement; processed through Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) protocol channels.
Sub-types
Single Diplomacy (외교, A-1) legal category covering diplomatic/consular staff and their families; no official numbered sub-codes verified.
Family members of the diplomat are admitted under the same A-1 status.
Not applicable — A-1 holders are exempt from foreigner registration, so they receive no ARC and cannot issue the mobile Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증) (launched 2025-01-10 for registered foreigners aged 14+).
Common mistakes
- Confusing A-1 (외교/Diplomat) with A-2 (공무/Government official on official business) or A-3 (협정/SOFA and status-agreement personnel) – A-1 is specifically for accredited diplomatic and consular staff and their families.
- Assuming A-1 allows ordinary private employment (it does not – it is for official duties).
- Family members assuming they may work freely (private work generally needs a reciprocal employment agreement).
- Applying through the normal tourist/e-visa channel instead of via the diplomatic note / MOFA channel.
Where this leads
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