{"id":299,"date":"2026-07-04T11:21:31","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T11:21:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/?post_type=visa-guides&#038;p=299"},"modified":"2026-07-04T11:44:43","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T11:44:43","slug":"f-4","status":"publish","type":"visa-guides","link":"https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/ko\/visa-guides\/f-4\/","title":{"rendered":"F-4 Overseas Korean (Ethnic Korean with Foreign Nationality)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- visa-guides:f-4 \u2014 generated by build-visa-html.mjs v2 (visa-guides.csv). \uc218\uc815\uc740 CSV\uc5d0\uc11c. -->\n<style>body.single-visa-guides .entry-header, body.single-visa-guides .entry-meta, body.single-visa-guides .ast-single-entry-banner, body.single-visa-guides [class*=\"ast-single-post-banner\"], body.single-visa-guides .post-navigation, body.single-visa-guides .ast-single-post-navigation-wrapper{ display:none !important; } body.single-visa-guides #content, body.single-visa-guides #primary, body.single-visa-guides .site-content, body.single-visa-guides .site-content > .ast-container, body.single-visa-guides .content-area, body.single-visa-guides .site-main, body.single-visa-guides .ast-article-single, body.single-visa-guides .entry-content{ padding:0 !important; margin:0 !important; max-width:100% !important; } body.single-visa-guides .ast-article-single{ background:transparent !important; border:none !important; box-shadow:none !important; } body.single-visa-guides .entry-content > p:empty{ display:none; } @import url(\"https:\/\/cdn.jsdelivr.net\/gh\/orioncactus\/pretendard@v1.3.9\/dist\/web\/variable\/pretendardvariable-dynamic-subset.min.css\"); .gk2{ --navy:#1D2A44; --navy-h:#2A3B5C; --red:#C60C30; --red-h:#A80A28; --base:#F8FAFC; --card:#FFFFFF; --border:#E2E8F0; --muted:#64748B; --tint:#EEF2F8; --on-brand-muted:#AEB8C9; --page:#DCE3EB; --r:16px; --r-lg:24px; --maxw:1120px; --shadow:0 1px 2px rgba(16,28,51,.04), 0 12px 28px -12px rgba(16,28,51,.18); --shadow-lg:0 24px 60px -20px rgba(16,28,51,.35); background:var(--page); color:var(--navy); line-height:1.6; font-family:\"Pretendard Variable\",Pretendard,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,\"Segoe UI\",Roboto,\"Noto Sans KR\",sans-serif; padding:18px; -webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased; width:auto; margin-left:calc(50% - 50vw); margin-right:calc(50% - 50vw); overflow-x:clip; } .gk2 *{ box-sizing:border-box; } .gk2 img{ display:block; max-width:100%; } .gk2 a{ color:inherit; text-decoration:none; } .gk2 h1, .gk2 h2, .gk2 h3{ line-height:1.2; margin:0; letter-spacing:-.02em; } .gk2 p{ margin:0; } .gk2-surface{ background:#fff; border-radius:28px; box-shadow:var(--shadow-lg); overflow:hidden; max-width:1200px; margin:0 auto; } .gk2 .seal{ display:inline-flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; width:30px; height:30px; border-radius:8px; background:var(--red); color:#fff; font-weight:800; font-size:13px; box-shadow:inset 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,.35); transform:rotate(-4deg); flex:none; } .gk2 .eyebrow{ display:inline-flex; align-items:center; gap:9px; font-size:.78rem; font-weight:800; letter-spacing:.14em; text-transform:uppercase; color:var(--red); margin-bottom:16px; } .gk2 .eyebrow .seal{ width:22px; height:22px; font-size:10px; border-radius:6px; } .gk2 .btn{ display:inline-flex; align-items:center; gap:8px; font-weight:700; border-radius:999px; padding:11px 20px; cursor:pointer; border:1px solid transparent; transition:transform .12s, background .15s, box-shadow .15s; font-size:.95rem; } .gk2 .btn:hover{ transform:translateY(-1px); } .gk2 .btn--red{ background:var(--red); color:#fff; } .gk2 .btn--red:hover{ background:var(--red-h); } .gk2 .btn--navy{ background:var(--navy); color:#fff; } .gk2 .btn--navy:hover{ background:var(--navy-h); } .gk2 .btn--ghost{ background:rgba(255,255,255,.12); color:#fff; border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.45); } .gk2 .btn--ghost:hover{ background:rgba(255,255,255,.2); } .gk2 .btn--white{ background:#fff; color:var(--navy); } .gk2 .btn--white:hover{ box-shadow:var(--shadow); } .gk2 .btn--outline{ background:#fff; color:var(--navy); border-color:var(--border); } .gk2 .btn--outline:hover{ border-color:var(--navy); } .gk2 .hero{ padding:18px; } .gk2 .hero__frame{ position:relative; border-radius:var(--r-lg); overflow:hidden; min-height:460px; display:flex; } .gk2 .hero__img{ position:absolute; inset:0; width:100%; height:100%; object-fit:cover; background:var(--navy); } .gk2 .hero__frame::after{ content:\"\"; position:absolute; inset:0; background:linear-gradient(105deg, rgba(13,21,40,.82) 0%, rgba(13,21,40,.45) 42%, rgba(13,21,40,.12) 70%, rgba(13,21,40,.05) 100%); } .gk2 .hero__glyph{ position:absolute; right:2%; bottom:-8%; font-size:min(34vw,420px); font-weight:900; line-height:.8; color:transparent; -webkit-text-stroke:2px rgba(255,255,255,.22); text-stroke:2px rgba(255,255,255,.22); pointer-events:none; z-index:1; user-select:none; } .gk2 .hero__content{ position:relative; z-index:2; align-self:center; padding:48px 8% 48px 7%; max-width:660px; color:#fff; } .gk2 .hero__kicker{ display:inline-flex; align-items:center; gap:9px; font-weight:700; font-size:.82rem; letter-spacing:.12em; text-transform:uppercase; color:#fff; background:rgba(255,255,255,.14); border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.25); padding:7px 14px; border-radius:999px; margin-bottom:20px; } .gk2 .hero h1{ font-size:clamp(2.4rem,5.2vw,4rem); font-weight:900; color:#fff; letter-spacing:-.03em; } .gk2 .hero h1 .accent{ position:relative; white-space:nowrap; } .gk2 .hero h1 .accent::after{ content:\"\"; position:absolute; left:0; right:0; bottom:.08em; height:.16em; background:var(--red); border-radius:3px; z-index:-1; } .gk2 .hero__sub{ margin:18px 0 28px; font-size:1.12rem; color:#E6EAF2; max-width:30em; } .gk2 .hero__cta{ display:flex; gap:12px; flex-wrap:wrap; } .gk2 .hero__trust{ margin-top:22px; font-size:.86rem; color:var(--on-brand-muted); display:flex; align-items:center; gap:8px; } .gk2 .subhero{ padding:18px; } .gk2 .subhero__frame{ position:relative; border-radius:var(--r-lg); overflow:hidden; min-height:330px; display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; text-align:center; } .gk2 .subhero__img{ position:absolute; inset:0; width:100%; height:100%; object-fit:cover; background:var(--navy); } .gk2 .subhero__frame::after{ content:\"\"; position:absolute; inset:0; background:linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(13,21,40,.55), rgba(13,21,40,.78)); } .gk2 .subhero__in{ position:relative; z-index:2; color:#fff; max-width:880px; padding:46px 28px; } .gk2 .subhero h1{ font-size:clamp(1.65rem,3vw,2.4rem); line-height:1.22; font-weight:900; color:#fff; letter-spacing:-.03em; } .gk2 .subhero__sub{ color:#E6EAF2; margin-top:14px; font-size:1.08rem; } .gk2 .subhero__cta{ margin-top:24px; display:flex; gap:12px; justify-content:center; flex-wrap:wrap; } .gk2 .subhero .eyebrow{ color:#fff; justify-content:center; } .gk2 .section{ padding:56px clamp(20px,5vw,64px); } .gk2 .section--tight{ padding-top:0; } .gk2 .prose{ max-width:760px; margin:0 auto; } .gk2 .prose h2{ font-size:clamp(1.4rem,2.4vw,1.8rem); margin:1.4em 0 .4em; } .gk2 .prose h2:first-child{ margin-top:0; } .gk2 .prose h3{ font-size:1.12rem; margin:1.2em 0 .3em; } .gk2 .prose p{ color:var(--navy); margin-bottom:1em; } .gk2 .prose ul{ padding-left:1.2em; margin:0 0 1em; } .gk2 .prose li{ margin:.35em 0; color:var(--navy); } .gk2 .lead{ font-size:1.08rem; color:var(--muted); } .gk2 .center{ text-align:center; } .gk2 .sec-head{ text-align:center; max-width:640px; margin:0 auto 32px; } .gk2 .sec-head h2{ font-size:clamp(1.5rem,2.8vw,2.1rem); } .gk2 .sec-head p{ color:var(--muted); margin-top:10px; } .gk2 .note{ background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--border); border-left:4px solid var(--red); border-radius:10px; padding:16px 20px; margin:0 auto 28px; max-width:760px; font-size:.96rem; } .gk2 .cardgrid{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr); gap:18px; max-width:980px; margin:0 auto; } .gk2 .cardgrid--2{ grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr); } .gk2 .cardgrid--4{ grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr); } .gk2 .infocard{ background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--border); border-radius:var(--r); padding:24px; transition:transform .15s, box-shadow .15s; } .gk2 .infocard:hover{ transform:translateY(-3px); box-shadow:var(--shadow); } .gk2 .infocard h3{ font-size:1.08rem; margin-bottom:7px; } .gk2 .infocard p{ color:var(--muted); font-size:.92rem; } .gk2 .infocard a.link{ color:var(--red); font-weight:700; font-size:.92rem; display:inline-block; margin-top:12px; } .gk2 .infocard .soon{ display:inline-block; margin-top:12px; font-size:.82rem; font-weight:700; color:var(--muted); background:var(--tint); padding:3px 10px; border-radius:999px; } .gk2 .infocard__ic{ width:42px; height:42px; border-radius:12px; background:var(--navy); color:#fff; display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; margin-bottom:14px; } .gk2 .infocard__ic svg{ width:21px; height:21px; } .gk2 .why{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:1.05fr .95fr; gap:48px; padding:64px clamp(20px,6vw,8%) 56px; align-items:center; } .gk2 .why h2{ font-size:clamp(1.5rem,2.6vw,2rem); } .gk2 .why p.lead{ margin:16px 0 22px; } .gk2 .socials{ display:flex; gap:10px; } .gk2 .socials a{ width:40px; height:40px; border-radius:50%; background:var(--tint); display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; color:var(--navy); transition:background .15s,color .15s; } .gk2 .socials a:hover{ background:var(--navy); color:#fff; } .gk2 .featstack{ display:grid; gap:14px; } .gk2 .feat{ display:flex; gap:16px; padding:18px 20px; background:var(--tint); border:1px solid var(--border); border-radius:var(--r); transition:transform .15s, box-shadow .15s; } .gk2 .feat:hover{ transform:translateY(-2px); box-shadow:var(--shadow); } .gk2 .feat__ic{ width:44px; height:44px; flex:none; border-radius:12px; background:var(--navy); color:#fff; display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; } .gk2 .feat__ic svg{ width:22px; height:22px; } .gk2 .feat h3{ font-size:1.02rem; margin-bottom:4px; } .gk2 .feat p{ font-size:.9rem; color:var(--muted); } .gk2 .stats{ display:flex; justify-content:center; gap:64px; flex-wrap:wrap; padding:8px 8% 56px; } .gk2 .stat{ text-align:center; } .gk2 .stat__ic{ width:52px; height:52px; margin:0 auto 12px; border-radius:50%; background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--border); display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; color:var(--red); box-shadow:var(--shadow); } .gk2 .stat__ic svg{ width:24px; height:24px; } .gk2 .stat b{ font-size:1.7rem; font-weight:900; display:block; letter-spacing:-.02em; } .gk2 .stat span{ font-size:.85rem; color:var(--muted); } .gk2 .panel{ margin:0 18px 18px; background:var(--tint); border-radius:var(--r-lg); padding:40px clamp(20px,4vw,44px); } .gk2 .panel__head{ display:flex; align-items:flex-end; justify-content:space-between; gap:24px; margin-bottom:26px; } .gk2 .panel__head h2{ font-size:clamp(1.5rem,2.6vw,2rem); } .gk2 .panel__head p{ color:var(--muted); max-width:34em; margin-top:8px; font-size:.98rem; } .gk2 .uni-grid{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr); gap:18px; } .gk2 .uni{ position:relative; border-radius:var(--r); overflow:hidden; min-height:300px; display:flex; align-items:flex-end; color:#fff; box-shadow:var(--shadow); transition:transform .18s, box-shadow .18s; } .gk2 .uni:hover{ transform:translateY(-4px); box-shadow:var(--shadow-lg); } .gk2 .uni img{ position:absolute; inset:0; width:100%; height:100%; object-fit:cover; background:var(--navy); z-index:0; } .gk2 .uni::after{ content:\"\"; position:absolute; inset:0; background:linear-gradient(to top, rgba(13,21,40,.92) 6%, rgba(13,21,40,.4) 46%, rgba(13,21,40,.05) 78%); z-index:1; } .gk2 .uni__body{ position:relative; z-index:2; padding:16px; width:100%; } .gk2 .uni__badge{ position:absolute; top:14px; left:14px; z-index:2; background:rgba(255,255,255,.92); color:var(--navy); font-weight:800; font-size:.74rem; padding:5px 10px; border-radius:999px; box-shadow:var(--shadow); } .gk2 .uni h3{ font-size:1.04rem; color:#fff; } .gk2 .uni__loc{ font-size:.82rem; color:#E6EAF2; margin-top:3px; } .gk2 .uni__tags{ display:flex; gap:6px; flex-wrap:wrap; margin-top:11px; } .gk2 .tag{ font-size:.7rem; font-weight:700; padding:4px 9px; border-radius:999px; background:rgba(255,255,255,.16); border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.28); } .gk2 .tag--red{ background:var(--red); border-color:var(--red); } .gk2 .panel__foot{ display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:space-between; margin-top:24px; } .gk2 .carousel-nav{ display:flex; gap:10px; } .gk2 .carousel-nav button{ width:42px; height:42px; border-radius:50%; border:1px solid var(--border); background:#fff; color:var(--navy); cursor:pointer; font-size:1.1rem; transition:background .15s,color .15s; } .gk2 .carousel-nav button:hover{ background:var(--navy); color:#fff; } .gk2 .guides{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:1.15fr 1fr 1fr; gap:18px; padding:8px 18px 56px; } .gk2 .gcard{ border-radius:var(--r-lg); overflow:hidden; min-height:300px; display:flex; } .gk2 .gcard--navy{ background:var(--navy); color:#fff; flex-direction:column; justify-content:space-between; padding:30px; } .gk2 .gcard--navy h2{ color:#fff; font-size:1.5rem; } .gk2 .gcard--navy p{ color:var(--on-brand-muted); margin:12px 0 0; font-size:.96rem; } .gk2 .gcard--img{ position:relative; align-items:flex-end; color:#fff; box-shadow:var(--shadow); transition:transform .18s; } .gk2 .gcard--img:hover{ transform:translateY(-4px); } .gk2 .gcard--img img{ position:absolute; inset:0; width:100%; height:100%; object-fit:cover; background:var(--navy); z-index:0; } .gk2 .gcard--img::after{ content:\"\"; position:absolute; inset:0; background:linear-gradient(to top, rgba(13,21,40,.92), rgba(13,21,40,.2) 60%, rgba(13,21,40,0)); z-index:1; } .gk2 .gcard__body{ position:relative; z-index:2; padding:22px; } .gk2 .gcard__ic{ position:absolute; top:16px; left:16px; z-index:2; width:40px; height:40px; border-radius:50%; background:rgba(255,255,255,.92); color:var(--red); display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; } .gk2 .gcard__ic svg{ width:20px; height:20px; } .gk2 .gcard--img h3{ color:#fff; font-size:1.12rem; } .gk2 .gcard--img p{ color:#E6EAF2; font-size:.88rem; margin-top:6px; } .gk2 .steps{ padding:8px 8% 60px; text-align:center; } .gk2 .steps h2{ font-size:clamp(1.5rem,2.6vw,2rem); margin-bottom:8px; } .gk2 .steps>p{ color:var(--muted); margin-bottom:36px; } .gk2 .steprow{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr); gap:24px; } .gk2 .step{ text-align:left; padding:26px 24px; background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--border); border-radius:var(--r); } .gk2 .step__n{ font-size:2.4rem; font-weight:900; color:var(--tint); line-height:1; letter-spacing:-.04em; } .gk2 .step__n b{ color:var(--red); } .gk2 .step h3{ font-size:1.1rem; margin:6px 0 8px; } .gk2 .step p{ color:var(--muted); font-size:.92rem; } .gk2 .ctaband{ margin:0 18px 18px; border-radius:var(--r-lg); background:var(--red); color:#fff; padding:54px 8%; text-align:center; position:relative; overflow:hidden; } .gk2 .ctaband::before{ content:\"\u5370\"; position:absolute; right:4%; top:50%; transform:translateY(-50%) rotate(-6deg); font-size:13rem; font-weight:900; color:rgba(255,255,255,.08); pointer-events:none; } .gk2 .ctaband h2{ color:#fff; font-size:clamp(1.5rem,3vw,2.1rem); position:relative; } .gk2 .ctaband p{ color:rgba(255,255,255,.9); margin:14px auto 26px; max-width:34em; position:relative; } .gk2 .ctaband .btn{ position:relative; } .gk2 .formslot{ max-width:520px; margin:0 auto; } @media (max-width:980px){ .gk2 .why{ grid-template-columns:1fr; gap:32px; } .gk2 .uni-grid, .gk2 .cardgrid--4{ grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr); } .gk2 .guides{ grid-template-columns:1fr; } .gk2 .steprow, .gk2 .cardgrid{ grid-template-columns:1fr; } .gk2 .cardgrid--2{ grid-template-columns:1fr; } } @media (max-width:760px){ .gk2 .hero__content{ padding:36px 28px; } .gk2 .stats{ gap:36px; } .gk2 .uni-grid, .gk2 .cardgrid--4{ grid-template-columns:1fr; } } @media (prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){ .gk2 *{ transition:none !important; animation:none !important; } } .gk2 .subhero__frame--grad{ background: radial-gradient(1100px 480px at 88% 118%, rgba(198,12,48,.55), transparent 62%), linear-gradient(118deg, #141F36 0%, var(--navy) 52%, #35213A 100%); } .gk2 .subhero__frame--grad::after{ content:none; } .gk2 .subhero__frame--grad .hero__glyph{ right:-2%; bottom:-14%; font-size:min(30vw,340px); } .gk2 .vcode{ display:inline-flex; align-items:center; gap:12px; margin-bottom:14px; } .gk2 .vcode b{ font-size:clamp(2.6rem,6vw,3.6rem); font-weight:900; letter-spacing:-.02em; color:#fff; line-height:1; } .gk2 .vtags{ display:flex; gap:6px; flex-wrap:wrap; justify-content:center; margin-top:18px; } .gk2 .vtags .tag{ font-size:.7rem; padding:4px 11px; } .gk2 .vmeta{ margin-top:20px; font-size:.8rem; color:var(--on-brand-muted); } .gk2 .srcline{ text-align:center; font-size:.88rem; color:var(--muted); margin:-14px auto 28px; max-width:760px; } .gk2 .srcline a{ color:var(--red); font-weight:700; text-decoration:underline; text-underline-offset:2px; } .gk2 .infocard__k{ font-size:.72rem; font-weight:800; letter-spacing:.12em; text-transform:uppercase; color:var(--red); margin-bottom:8px; } .gk2 .infocard .big{ color:var(--navy); font-size:1.02rem; font-weight:700; margin-bottom:6px; } .gk2 .steprow--4{ grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr); max-width:980px; margin:0 auto; } .gk2 .step--dim{ opacity:.45; } .gk2 .checklist{ list-style:none; padding:0; margin:14px 0 0; display:grid; gap:10px; } .gk2 .checklist li{ display:flex; gap:11px; align-items:flex-start; color:var(--navy); font-size:.97rem; } .gk2 .checklist .ck{ flex:none; width:22px; height:22px; border-radius:50%; background:var(--tint); color:var(--red); font-weight:900; font-size:.78rem; display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; margin-top:2px; } .gk2 .howto{ list-style:none; counter-reset:hw; padding:0; margin:14px 0 0; display:grid; gap:12px; } .gk2 .howto li{ counter-increment:hw; position:relative; background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--border); border-radius:var(--r); padding:16px 18px 16px 58px; color:var(--navy); font-size:.96rem; } .gk2 .howto li::before{ content:counter(hw); position:absolute; left:16px; top:14px; width:28px; height:28px; border-radius:50%; background:var(--navy); color:#fff; font-weight:800; font-size:.85rem; display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; } .gk2 .howto li > strong{ display:block; margin-bottom:6px; color:var(--navy); } .gk2 .howto .checklist{ margin-top:8px; } .gk2 .howto .checklist li{ padding:0; border:none; background:none; font-size:.92rem; } .gk2 .howto .tick{ margin:8px 0 0; padding-left:0; } .gk2 .howto .tick li{ font-size:.92rem; margin:.3em 0; } .gk2 .vspec{ max-width:760px; margin:0 auto; background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--border); border-radius:var(--r); overflow:hidden; } .gk2 .vrow{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:190px 1fr; gap:16px; padding:16px 20px; border-bottom:1px solid var(--border); } .gk2 .vrow:last-child{ border-bottom:0; } .gk2 .vrow__k{ font-size:.72rem; font-weight:800; letter-spacing:.1em; text-transform:uppercase; color:var(--red); padding-top:3px; } .gk2 .vrow__v{ color:var(--navy); font-size:.94rem; } .gk2 .vrow__v p{ margin:0 0 .55em; } .gk2 .vrow__v p:last-child{ margin-bottom:0; } .gk2 .vpath{ display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:12px; margin:14px 0 0; } .gk2 .vpath__line{ display:flex; align-items:center; gap:8px; 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} .gk2 .vtable .hrs{ color:var(--red); font-weight:800; } .gk2 .vsub{ background:var(--tint); border:1px solid var(--border); border-radius:12px; padding:12px 14px; } .gk2 .vsub code{ font-weight:800; color:var(--red); font-size:.86rem; font-family:inherit; } .gk2 .vsub span{ display:block; font-size:.86rem; color:var(--muted); margin-top:2px; } .gk2 .vsub-note{ max-width:760px; margin:14px auto 0; text-align:center; font-size:.85rem; color:var(--muted); } .gk2 a.vsub--link{ display:block; transition:border-color .15s, transform .15s; } .gk2 a.vsub--link:hover{ border-color:var(--red); transform:translateY(-2px); } .gk2 a.vsub--link em{ display:block; font-style:normal; font-size:.78rem; font-weight:700; color:var(--red); margin-top:6px; } .gk2 a.vsub--link, .gk2 a.vsub--link *, .gk2 a.vpath__chip, .gk2 a.vpath__chip *{ text-decoration:none !important; } .gk2 a.vpath__chip:hover{ border-color:var(--red); } .gk2 .prose ul.tick{ list-style:none; padding:0; } .gk2 .prose ul.tick li{ position:relative; padding-left:22px; } .gk2 .prose ul.tick li::before{ content:\"\"; position:absolute; left:4px; top:.58em; width:7px; height:7px; border-radius:2px; background:var(--red); } @media (max-width:980px){ .gk2 .steprow--4{ grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr); } } @media (max-width:640px){ .gk2 .steprow--4{ grid-template-columns:1fr; } .gk2 .vrow{ grid-template-columns:1fr; gap:6px; } }<\/style>\n<div class=\"gk2\">\n  <div class=\"gk2-surface\">\n\n    <section class=\"subhero\">\n      <div class=\"subhero__frame subhero__frame--grad\">\n        <span class=\"hero__glyph\" aria-hidden=\"true\">F-4<\/span>\n        <div class=\"subhero__in\">\n          <span class=\"eyebrow\"><span class=\"seal\">\u5370<\/span> Visa Guides<\/span>\n          <div class=\"vcode\"><b>F-4<\/b><\/div>\n          <h1>Overseas Korean (Ethnic Korean with Foreign Nationality)<\/h1>\n          <p class=\"subhero__sub\">\uc7ac\uc678\ub3d9\ud3ec (F-4) &mdash; F-4 Overseas Korean residence status (\uc7ac\uc678\ub3d9\ud3ec \uccb4\ub958\uc790\uaca9)<\/p>\n          <div class=\"vtags\">\n            <span class=\"tag tag--red\">&#9679; Active<\/span>\n            <span class=\"tag\">Category F<\/span>\n            <span class=\"tag\">Settlement<\/span>\n          <\/div>\n          <p class=\"vmeta\">Last updated 2026-07-04 \u00b7 Official Korean government sources<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n    <section class=\"section\">\n      <div class=\"note\"><strong>Note:<\/strong> This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change &mdash; always confirm on the official sources for your country.<\/div>\n      <div class=\"sec-head\"><h2>At a glance<\/h2><\/div>\n      <div class=\"cardgrid\"><div class=\"infocard\"><div class=\"infocard__k\">Who it&#39;s for<\/div><p>Foreign nationals of Korean ethnicity (\uc678\uad6d\uad6d\uc801\ub3d9\ud3ec).<\/p><\/div>\n        <div class=\"infocard\"><div class=\"infocard__k\">Length of stay<\/div><p>F-4 status is granted for up to 3 years per period of stay and is renewable (\uc5f0\uc7a5).<\/p><\/div>\n        <div class=\"infocard\"><div class=\"infocard__k\">Can you work?<\/div><p>Employment and other economic activity is generally free &#8216;within a scope that does not harm public order or the domestic labor market.&#8217; Prohibited categories: (1)\u2026<\/p><\/div>\n        <div class=\"infocard\"><div class=\"infocard__k\">Korean needed?<\/div><p>Korean-language ability must be shown for some F-4 applicants (e.g. via TOPIK or the Social Integration Program \/ KIIP), a requirement tightened in 2019.<\/p><\/div>\n        <div class=\"infocard\"><div class=\"infocard__k\">Fee &amp; time<\/div><p>Fee: Overseas single-entry visa fee about USD 30-60 depending on validity\/entries; domestic status change (\uccb4\ub958\uc790\uaca9\ubcc0\uacbd\ud5c8\uac00) 130,000 KRW; period-of-stay extension (\uccb4\ub958\uae30\uac04\uc5f0\uc7a5\ud5c8\uac00) 60,000 KRW; Domestic Residence Report Card issuance\/reissuance carries a separate fee (about 30,000 KRW). Confirm current amounts on HiKorea \/ the local consulate. \u00b7 Time: (unverified) No single official published figure; overseas visa issuance and domestic\u2026<\/p><\/div>\n        <div class=\"infocard\"><div class=\"infocard__k\">Leads to<\/div><div class=\"vpath vpath--sm\"><div class=\"vpath__line\"><a class=\"vpath__chip\" href=\"\/visa-guides\/f-4\/\"><b>F-4<\/b><\/a><span class=\"vpath__arr\">\u2192<\/span><a class=\"vpath__chip\" href=\"\/visa-guides\/f-5\/\"><b>F-5<\/b> permanent residence<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n    <section class=\"section section--tight\">\n      <div class=\"sec-head\"><h2>Where this fits in your journey<\/h2><\/div>\n      <div class=\"steprow steprow--4\">\n        <div class=\"step step--dim\"><div class=\"step__n\">01<\/div><h3>Before arrival<\/h3><p>Get admitted, prepare documents, apply.<\/p><\/div>\n        <div class=\"step step--dim\"><div class=\"step__n\">02<\/div><h3>During study<\/h3><p>ARC, extensions, permits while in Korea.<\/p><\/div>\n        <div class=\"step step--dim\"><div class=\"step__n\">03<\/div><h3>After graduation<\/h3><p>Job-seeking and work visas.<\/p><\/div>\n        <div class=\"step\"><div class=\"step__n\"><b>04<\/b><\/div><h3>Settlement<\/h3><p>Long-term residence and PR.<\/p><\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n<section class=\"section section--tight\"><div class=\"prose\"><h2>Who can apply<\/h2><ul class=\"checklist\"><li><span class=\"ck\">\u2713<\/span><span>Foreign nationals of Korean ethnicity (\uc678\uad6d\uad6d\uc801\ub3d9\ud3ec).<\/span><\/li><li><span class=\"ck\">\u2713<\/span><span>Two main groups defined by the Overseas Koreans Act: (1) a person who once held Republic of Korea nationality (including someone who held ROK nationality at birth) and later acquired a foreign nationality; and (2) a direct descendant of such a person, i.e. someone whose parent (father or mother) or grandparent held ROK nationality and who holds a foreign nationality.<\/span><\/li><li><span class=\"ck\">\u2713<\/span><span>Descendants beyond the 3rd generation (great-grandchildren and later, 4\uc138\ub300 \uc774\ud6c4) have been eligible to apply since a 2019 rule change.<\/span><\/li><li><span class=\"ck\">\u2713<\/span><span>Minors and elderly applicants exist; there is no upper age cap, though military-service and Korean-language rules affect certain applicants.<\/span><\/li><li><span class=\"ck\">\u2713<\/span><span>Applicants from certain designated countries historically had to prove they would not do simple-labor work.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"section section--tight\"><div class=\"prose\"><h2>Documents you&#39;ll need<\/h2><ul class=\"tick\"><li>Passport<\/li><li>visa\/status application form<\/li><li>proof of former ROK nationality and its loss (\uad6d\uc801\uc0c1\uc2e4\/\uc774\ud0c8 \uc99d\uba85) OR proof that a parent\/grandparent held ROK nationality plus a family-relationship document (\uac00\uc871\uad00\uacc4\u00b7\uc9c1\uacc4\uc874\ube44\uc18d \uc99d\uba85) for descendants<\/li><li>certificate of foreign-nationality acquisition<\/li><li>overseas criminal-record certificate (\ud574\uc678 \ubc94\uc8c4\uacbd\ub825\uc99d\uba85\uc11c, e.g. FBI report) issued within 3 months, with notarized\/apostilled translation<\/li><li>proof of Korean-language ability (e.g. TOPIK or KIIP) where required<\/li><li>fee. Korean-language proof and criminal-record proof are waived for some applicants (e.g. former ROK nationals, age 60+, age 13 or under, holders of F-4 who lived in Korea 3+ years, and certain others).<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"section section--tight\"><div class=\"prose\"><h2>How to apply<\/h2><ul class=\"tick\"><li>Three routes available: overseas embassy visa (\uc0ac\uc99d); Confirmation of Visa Issuance (\uc0ac\uc99d\ubc1c\uae09\uc778\uc815\uc11c); or domestic change-of-status (\uccb4\ub958\uc790\uaca9\ubcc0\uacbd) inside Korea.<\/li><li>F-4 can be obtained either as a visa issued abroad by a Korean embassy\/consulate (\uc0ac\uc99d), via a Certificate of Visa Issuance Confirmation (\uc0ac\uc99d\ubc1c\uae09\uc778\uc815\uc11c), or as a change of status inside Korea.<\/li><li>After entry, an F-4 holder staying 90+ days must register and get a Domestic Residence Report Card (\uad6d\ub0b4\uac70\uc18c\uc2e0\uace0\uc99d) rather than an alien registration card.<\/li><li>Some steps allow online filing on hikorea.go.kr, but items such as an original overseas criminal record must be submitted in person at an immigration office.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/section>\n\n    <section class=\"section section--tight\">\n      <div class=\"sec-head\"><h2>Stay &amp; extension<\/h2><\/div>\n      <div class=\"cardgrid cardgrid--2\" style=\"max-width:760px\"><div class=\"infocard\"><div class=\"infocard__k\">How long you can stay<\/div><p>F-4 status is granted for up to 3 years per period of stay and is renewable (\uc5f0\uc7a5). Visas issued abroad have commonly been multiple-entry valid for 5 years with stays of up to 2 years at a time; the exact grant depends on the office.<\/p><p>Extension can be limited or refused for those who lost ROK nationality to evade military service or who violate the law.<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"infocard\"><div class=\"infocard__k\">Extending your stay<\/div><p>Renew before the stay expires through a period-of-stay extension (\uccb4\ub958\uae30\uac04\uc5f0\uc7a5\ud5c8\uac00) at the competent immigration office or via HiKorea. The holder must keep meeting F-4 conditions and have no disqualifying grounds.<\/p><p>Extension may be restricted for people who gave up Korean nationality to avoid military service, or who committed serious legal violations.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n    <section class=\"section section--tight\"><div class=\"prose\"><h2>Working on this visa<\/h2><p>Employment and other economic activity is generally free &#8216;within a scope that does not harm public order or the domestic labor market.&#8217; Prohibited categories: (1) simple-labor work (\ub2e8\uc21c\ub178\ubb34\ud589\uc704); (2) work against good morals\/public order (\uc120\ub7c9\ud55c \ud48d\uc18d \uae30\ud0c0 \uc0ac\ud68c\uc9c8\uc11c\uc5d0 \ubc18\ud558\ub294 \ud589\uc704) such as gambling businesses (\uc0ac\ud589\ud589\uc704), adult-entertainment (\uc720\ud765\/\ud48d\uc18d) establishments; (3) any work the Minister of Justice restricts for public interest or labor-market order. The precise list of restricted jobs is set by the Ministry of Justice &#8216;F-4 employment-restriction scope notice&#8217; (\ucde8\uc5c5\ud65c\ub3d9 \uc81c\ud55c\ubc94\uc704 \uace0\uc2dc), which is revised periodically \u2014 current version MOJ Notice No. 2026-65 (\ubc95\ubb34\ubd80\uace0\uc2dc \uc81c2026-65\ud638) (effective 2026-02-12), which repealed the prior No. 2023-187 (\uc81c2023-187\ud638).<\/p><p>The 2026 consolidation of overseas-Korean statuses eased\/expanded permitted employment and, for residents of designated population-decline \/ regional-specialized-visa areas, waives some simple-labor restrictions within that region (gambling\/entertainment\/vice bans still always apply).<\/p><\/div><\/section>\n\n    <section class=\"section section--tight\">\n      <div class=\"sec-head\"><h2>Requirements in detail<\/h2><\/div>\n      <div class=\"vspec\"><div class=\"vrow\"><div class=\"vrow__k\">Korean language<\/div><div class=\"vrow__v\"><p>Korean-language ability must be shown for some F-4 applicants (e.g. via TOPIK or the Social Integration Program \/ KIIP), a requirement tightened in 2019. It is waived for categories such as former ROK nationals, applicants aged 60 or older, applicants aged 13 or under, and those who previously held F-4 and resided in Korea for 3 or more years.<\/p><p>There is no single fixed minimum level for all applicants.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n    <section class=\"section section--tight\">\n      <div class=\"sec-head\"><h2>Sub-types<\/h2><\/div>\n      <div class=\"prose\"><p>F-4 sub-codes distinguish applicant categories, e.g. F-4-11 (person who personally once held ROK nationality; per a Toronto consulate notice, males under 41 tied to military-service rules), plus descendant and special-group codes.<\/p><p>The regional variant F-4-R (\uc9c0\uc5ed\ud2b9\ud654 \uc678\uad6d\uad6d\uc801\ub3d9\ud3ec) is a separate pathway covered in its own entry.<\/p><\/div>\n      <div class=\"cardgrid cardgrid--4\" style=\"margin-top:18px\"><a class=\"vsub vsub--link\" href=\"\/visa-guides\/f-4-r\/\"><code>F-4-R<\/code><span>Has its own full guide<\/span><em>Read the F-4-R guide \u2192<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n    <\/section>\n<section class=\"section section--tight\"><div class=\"cardgrid cardgrid--2\" style=\"max-width:760px\"><div class=\"infocard\"><div class=\"infocard__k\">Family<\/div><p>An F-4 holder&#8217;s ethnic-Korean (\ub3d9\ud3ec) spouse\/descendants may separately qualify for F-4 in their own right. A non-ethnic-Korean spouse and minor children of an F-4 holder are generally covered under F-1 (visiting\/cohabitation), not F-4. (confirm exact code on HiKorea \u2014 unverified on specifics)<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"infocard\"><div class=\"infocard__k\">Mobile ARC<\/div><p>F-4 holders staying 90+ days receive a Domestic Residence Report Card (\uad6d\ub0b4\uac70\uc18c\uc2e0\uace0\uc99d) rather than an Alien Registration Card. A mobile ID system for registered foreigners began 2025-01-10 (Immigration Control Act Art. 33(6)); its applicability to the Domestic Residence Report Card should be confirmed on HiKorea. (unverified)<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"section section--tight\"><div class=\"prose\"><h2>2025&ndash;2026 policy updates<\/h2><ul class=\"tick\"><li>MAJOR 2026 reform: effective 2026-02-12 the Ministry of Justice consolidated the overseas-Korean statuses into a single F-4 (\ub3d9\ud3ec \uccb4\ub958\uc790\uaca9 F-4 \uc77c\uc6d0\ud654).<\/li><li>New issuance of the Working Visit (H-2, \ubc29\ubb38\ucde8\uc5c5) visa was halted, and existing H-2 holders may change to F-4 even before their stay expires; overseas Koreans of any nationality can now qualify for F-4 without nationality-based differentiation.<\/li><li>Alongside this, the F-4 employment-restriction scope notice was reissued as MOJ Notice No. 2026-65 (\ubc95\ubb34\ubd80\uace0\uc2dc \uc81c2026-65\ud638) (effective 2026-02-12), repealing No. 2023-187 (\uc81c2023-187\ud638) (2023).<\/li><li>The revised notice redefines restricted simple-labor jobs (e.g. movers, couriers, food-delivery riders, cleaners, waste collectors, apartment security guards, flyer distributors) and vice\/gambling\/entertainment work, while easing some simple-labor limits for residents of designated population-decline \/ regional-specialized-visa districts within their metropolitan area.<\/li><li>NOTE: several news outlets reported this notice as MOJ Notice No. 2026-35 (\ubc95\ubb34\ubd80\uace0\uc2dc \uc81c2026-35\ud638) (the number that appeared in the administrative pre-announcement (\ud589\uc815\uc608\uace0)); the official Ministry of Justice and immigration.go.kr postings show the adopted number as No. 2026-65.<\/li><li>Also, a separate 2025 measure: a &#8216;Special Legalization Measure for Overseas Koreans&#8217; (\ub3d9\ud3ec \ud2b9\ubcc4 \ud569\ubc95\ud654 \uc870\uce58) marking the 80th anniversary of Liberation ran 2025-09-01 to 2025-11-28 for overseas Koreans (and family) whose stay had expired before 2025-08-18, giving eligible F-4\/H-2\/F-3\/F-1 holders a path to regularize status (penalty reduced ~90% for adults, waived for affected minors).<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"section section--tight\"><div class=\"prose\"><h2>Common mistakes<\/h2><p>Assuming F-4 allows any job \u2014 simple labor (\ub2e8\uc21c\ub178\ubb34) and gambling\/entertainment\/vice work remain prohibited by the periodically revised employment-restriction scope notice (\ucde8\uc5c5\ud65c\ub3d9 \uc81c\ud55c\ubc94\uc704 \uace0\uc2dc); not obtaining the Domestic Residence Report Card (\uac70\uc18c\uc2e0\uace0) after 90+ days; confusing F-4 with H-2 (H-2 new issuance stopped in 2026 and H-2 holders should convert to F-4); submitting a criminal-record certificate older than 3 months or without proper notarized\/apostilled translation; missing the Korean-language requirement when not exempt; assuming military-service evaders can freely extend; treating F-4-R (regional) as the same as standard F-4.<\/p>\n<h2>Where this leads<\/h2><div class=\"vpath\"><div class=\"vpath__line\"><a class=\"vpath__chip\" href=\"\/visa-guides\/f-4\/\"><b>F-4<\/b><\/a><span class=\"vpath__arr\">\u2192<\/span><a class=\"vpath__chip\" href=\"\/visa-guides\/f-5\/\"><b>F-5<\/b> permanent residence<\/a><\/div><div class=\"vpath__note\">A common route is F-5-7 for overseas Koreans: hold F-4 and reside in Korea continuously for about 2+ years, meet an income\/asset threshold and basic-competency (Korean\/KIIP) requirement.<\/div><div class=\"vpath__note\">From 2026-02-12 the income threshold can be lowered by Korean-language ability and volunteer records (e.<\/div><div class=\"vpath__note\">g.<\/div><div class=\"vpath__note\">down toward ~70-80% of GNI, or ~60% if both).<\/div><\/div>\n<p style=\"margin-top:20px\"><a class=\"btn btn--red\" href=\"https:\/\/easylaw.go.kr\/CSP\/CnpClsMain.laf?popMenu=ov&amp;csmSeq=1136&amp;ccfNo=3&amp;cciNo=2&amp;cnpClsNo=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Official source &#8599;<\/a>\n        &nbsp;<a class=\"btn btn--outline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.moj.go.kr\/bbs\/moj\/184\/603463\/artclView.do\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Official manual &#8599;<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"note\" style=\"margin-top:20px\"><strong>If you break the rules:<\/strong> Overstay: fine, deportation and entry ban (a 2025 special legalization measure ran 2025-09-01~11-28). Working in prohibited simple-labor or gambling\/entertainment\/vice sectors violates the employment-restriction scope notice (\ucde8\uc5c5\ud65c\ub3d9 \uc81c\ud55c\ubc94\uc704 \uace0\uc2dc) (current MOJ Notice No. 2026-65 (\ubc95\ubb34\ubd80\uace0\uc2dc \uc81c2026-65\ud638), effective 2026-02-12). Extension may be refused for those who lost ROK nationality to evade military service.<\/div><\/section>\n\n    <section class=\"ctaband\">\n      <h2>Get visa updates by email<\/h2>\n      <p>Join GoKorea Insider for clear updates on visas and key dates.<\/p>\n      <a class=\"btn btn--white\" href=\"\/gokorea-insider\/\">Join Insider &mdash; Free<\/a>\n    <\/section>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":332,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"unboxed","site-sidebar-style":"unboxed","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"rank_math_title":"F-4 Visa Korea: Overseas Korean | GoKorea Study","rank_math_description":"The F-4 visa is for overseas Koreans of ethnic Korean descent with foreign nationality. Learn who qualifies, the documents needed and 2026 updates.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"f-4 overseas korean visa","rank_math_robots":[]},"visa_category":[34],"journey_stage":[35],"class_list":["post-299","visa-guides","type-visa-guides","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","visa_category-f","journey_stage-settlement"],"acf":{"visa_code":"F-4","visa_name_en":"Overseas Korean (Ethnic Korean with Foreign Nationality)","visa_name_kr":"\uc7ac\uc678\ub3d9\ud3ec (F-4)","guide_type":"visa","status":"active","visa_type":"F-4 Overseas Korean residence status (\uc7ac\uc678\ub3d9\ud3ec \uccb4\ub958\uc790\uaca9)","eligible_applicants":"Foreign nationals of Korean ethnicity (\uc678\uad6d\uad6d\uc801\ub3d9\ud3ec). Two main groups defined by the Overseas Koreans Act: (1) a person who once held Republic of Korea nationality (including someone who held ROK nationality at birth) and later acquired a foreign nationality; and (2) a direct descendant of such a person, i.e. someone whose parent (father or mother) or grandparent held ROK nationality and who holds a foreign nationality. Descendants beyond the 3rd generation (great-grandchildren and later, 4\uc138\ub300 \uc774\ud6c4) have been eligible to apply since a 2019 rule change. Minors and elderly applicants exist; there is no upper age cap, though military-service and Korean-language rules affect certain applicants. Applicants from certain designated countries historically had to prove they would not do simple-labor work.","required_documents":"Passport; visa\/status application form; proof of former ROK nationality and its loss (\uad6d\uc801\uc0c1\uc2e4\/\uc774\ud0c8 \uc99d\uba85) OR proof that a parent\/grandparent held ROK nationality plus a family-relationship document (\uac00\uc871\uad00\uacc4\u00b7\uc9c1\uacc4\uc874\ube44\uc18d \uc99d\uba85) for descendants; certificate of foreign-nationality acquisition; overseas criminal-record certificate (\ud574\uc678 \ubc94\uc8c4\uacbd\ub825\uc99d\uba85\uc11c, e.g. FBI report) issued within 3 months, with notarized\/apostilled translation; proof of Korean-language ability (e.g. TOPIK or KIIP) where required; fee. Korean-language proof and criminal-record proof are waived for some applicants (e.g. former ROK nationals, age 60+, age 13 or under, holders of F-4 who lived in Korea 3+ years, and certain others).","processing_notes":"F-4 can be obtained either as a visa issued abroad by a Korean embassy\/consulate (\uc0ac\uc99d), via a Certificate of Visa Issuance Confirmation (\uc0ac\uc99d\ubc1c\uae09\uc778\uc815\uc11c), or as a change of status inside Korea. After entry, an F-4 holder staying 90+ days must register and get a Domestic Residence Report Card (\uad6d\ub0b4\uac70\uc18c\uc2e0\uace0\uc99d) rather than an alien registration card. Some steps allow online filing on hikorea.go.kr, but items such as an original overseas criminal record must be submitted in person at an immigration office.","duration_of_stay":"F-4 status is granted for up to 3 years per period of stay and is renewable (\uc5f0\uc7a5). Visas issued abroad have commonly been multiple-entry valid for 5 years with stays of up to 2 years at a time; the exact grant depends on the office. Extension can be limited or refused for those who lost ROK nationality to evade military service or who violate the law.","extension_rules":"Renew before the stay expires through a period-of-stay extension (\uccb4\ub958\uae30\uac04\uc5f0\uc7a5\ud5c8\uac00) at the competent immigration office or via HiKorea. The holder must keep meeting F-4 conditions and have no disqualifying grounds. Extension may be restricted for people who gave up Korean nationality to avoid military service, or who committed serious legal violations.","work_permission":"Employment and other economic activity is generally free 'within a scope that does not harm public order or the domestic labor market.' Prohibited categories: (1) simple-labor work (\ub2e8\uc21c\ub178\ubb34\ud589\uc704); (2) work against good morals\/public order (\uc120\ub7c9\ud55c \ud48d\uc18d \uae30\ud0c0 \uc0ac\ud68c\uc9c8\uc11c\uc5d0 \ubc18\ud558\ub294 \ud589\uc704) such as gambling businesses (\uc0ac\ud589\ud589\uc704), adult-entertainment (\uc720\ud765\/\ud48d\uc18d) establishments; (3) any work the Minister of Justice restricts for public interest or labor-market order. The precise list of restricted jobs is set by the Ministry of Justice 'F-4 employment-restriction scope notice' (\ucde8\uc5c5\ud65c\ub3d9 \uc81c\ud55c\ubc94\uc704 \uace0\uc2dc), which is revised periodically \u2014 current version MOJ Notice No. 2026-65 (\ubc95\ubb34\ubd80\uace0\uc2dc \uc81c2026-65\ud638) (effective 2026-02-12), which repealed the prior No. 2023-187 (\uc81c2023-187\ud638). The 2026 consolidation of overseas-Korean statuses eased\/expanded permitted employment and, for residents of designated population-decline \/ regional-specialized-visa areas, waives some simple-labor restrictions within that region (gambling\/entertainment\/vice bans still always apply).","korean_requirement":"Korean-language ability must be shown for some F-4 applicants (e.g. via TOPIK or the Social Integration Program \/ KIIP), a requirement tightened in 2019. It is waived for categories such as former ROK nationals, applicants aged 60 or older, applicants aged 13 or under, and those who previously held F-4 and resided in Korea for 3 or more years. There is no single fixed minimum level for all applicants.","path_to":"F-4 -> F-5 (permanent residence). A common route is F-5-7 for overseas Koreans: hold F-4 and reside in Korea continuously for about 2+ years, meet an income\/asset threshold and basic-competency (Korean\/KIIP) requirement. From 2026-02-12 the income threshold can be lowered by Korean-language ability and volunteer records (e.g. down toward ~70-80% of GNI, or ~60% if both).","application_fee":"Overseas single-entry visa fee about USD 30-60 depending on validity\/entries; domestic status change (\uccb4\ub958\uc790\uaca9\ubcc0\uacbd\ud5c8\uac00) 130,000 KRW; period-of-stay extension (\uccb4\ub958\uae30\uac04\uc5f0\uc7a5\ud5c8\uac00) 60,000 KRW; Domestic Residence Report Card issuance\/reissuance carries a separate fee (about 30,000 KRW). Confirm current amounts on HiKorea \/ the local consulate.","processing_time":"(unverified) No single official published figure; overseas visa issuance and domestic processing typically take from about 1 to several weeks \u2014 confirm with the issuing consulate or the competent immigration office.","policy_updates_2025_2026":"MAJOR 2026 reform: effective 2026-02-12 the Ministry of Justice consolidated the overseas-Korean statuses into a single F-4 (\ub3d9\ud3ec \uccb4\ub958\uc790\uaca9 F-4 \uc77c\uc6d0\ud654). New issuance of the Working Visit (H-2, \ubc29\ubb38\ucde8\uc5c5) visa was halted, and existing H-2 holders may change to F-4 even before their stay expires; overseas Koreans of any nationality can now qualify for F-4 without nationality-based differentiation. Alongside this, the F-4 employment-restriction scope notice was reissued as MOJ Notice No. 2026-65 (\ubc95\ubb34\ubd80\uace0\uc2dc \uc81c2026-65\ud638) (effective 2026-02-12), repealing No. 2023-187 (\uc81c2023-187\ud638) (2023). The revised notice redefines restricted simple-labor jobs (e.g. movers, couriers, food-delivery riders, cleaners, waste collectors, apartment security guards, flyer distributors) and vice\/gambling\/entertainment work, while easing some simple-labor limits for residents of designated population-decline \/ regional-specialized-visa districts within their metropolitan area. NOTE: several news outlets reported this notice as MOJ Notice No. 2026-35 (\ubc95\ubb34\ubd80\uace0\uc2dc \uc81c2026-35\ud638) (the number that appeared in the administrative pre-announcement (\ud589\uc815\uc608\uace0)); the official Ministry of Justice and immigration.go.kr postings show the adopted number as No. 2026-65. Also, a separate 2025 measure: a 'Special Legalization Measure for Overseas Koreans' (\ub3d9\ud3ec \ud2b9\ubcc4 \ud569\ubc95\ud654 \uc870\uce58) marking the 80th anniversary of Liberation ran 2025-09-01 to 2025-11-28 for overseas Koreans (and family) whose stay had expired before 2025-08-18, giving eligible F-4\/H-2\/F-3\/F-1 holders a path to regularize status (penalty reduced ~90% for adults, waived for affected minors).","subtypes_note":"F-4 has several sub-codes distinguishing applicant categories, e.g. F-4-11 (person who personally once held ROK nationality) \u2014 a Toronto consulate notice describes F-4-11 as for males under 41 who once held Korean nationality, tied to military-service rules \u2014 plus other codes for descendants and specific groups. The regional\/population-decline variant F-4-R is a distinct pathway covered in its own separate entry and is only mentioned here in passing.","common_mistakes":"Assuming F-4 allows any job \u2014 simple labor (\ub2e8\uc21c\ub178\ubb34) and gambling\/entertainment\/vice work remain prohibited by the periodically revised employment-restriction scope notice (\ucde8\uc5c5\ud65c\ub3d9 \uc81c\ud55c\ubc94\uc704 \uace0\uc2dc); not obtaining the Domestic Residence Report Card (\uac70\uc18c\uc2e0\uace0) after 90+ days; confusing F-4 with H-2 (H-2 new issuance stopped in 2026 and H-2 holders should convert to F-4); submitting a criminal-record certificate older than 3 months or without proper notarized\/apostilled translation; missing the Korean-language requirement when not exempt; assuming military-service evaders can freely extend; treating F-4-R (regional) as the same as standard F-4.","official_link":"https:\/\/easylaw.go.kr\/CSP\/CnpClsMain.laf?popMenu=ov&csmSeq=1136&ccfNo=3&cciNo=2&cnpClsNo=2","official_manual_url":"https:\/\/www.moj.go.kr\/bbs\/moj\/184\/603463\/artclView.do","issuance_route":"Three routes available: overseas embassy visa (\uc0ac\uc99d); Confirmation of Visa Issuance (\uc0ac\uc99d\ubc1c\uae09\uc778\uc815\uc11c); or domestic change-of-status (\uccb4\ub958\uc790\uaca9\ubcc0\uacbd) inside Korea.","keta_required":"","annual_quota":"","income_threshold":"","points_system_summary":"","subtype_table":"F-4 sub-codes distinguish applicant categories, e.g. F-4-11 (person who personally once held ROK nationality; per a Toronto consulate notice, males under 41 tied to military-service rules), plus descendant and special-group codes. The regional variant F-4-R (\uc9c0\uc5ed\ud2b9\ud654 \uc678\uad6d\uad6d\uc801\ub3d9\ud3ec) is a separate pathway covered in its own entry.","family_accompaniment":"An F-4 holder's ethnic-Korean (\ub3d9\ud3ec) spouse\/descendants may separately qualify for F-4 in their own right. A non-ethnic-Korean spouse and minor children of an F-4 holder are generally covered under F-1 (visiting\/cohabitation), not F-4. (confirm exact code on HiKorea \u2014 unverified on specifics)","competent_ministry_endorsement":"","mobile_residence_card":"F-4 holders staying 90+ days receive a Domestic Residence Report Card (\uad6d\ub0b4\uac70\uc18c\uc2e0\uace0\uc99d) rather than an Alien Registration Card. A mobile ID system for registered foreigners began 2025-01-10 (Immigration Control Act Art. 33(6)); its applicability to the Domestic Residence Report Card should be confirmed on HiKorea. (unverified)","penalties":"Overstay: fine, deportation and entry ban (a 2025 special legalization measure ran 2025-09-01~11-28). Working in prohibited simple-labor or gambling\/entertainment\/vice sectors violates the employment-restriction scope notice (\ucde8\uc5c5\ud65c\ub3d9 \uc81c\ud55c\ubc94\uc704 \uace0\uc2dc) (current MOJ Notice No. 2026-65 (\ubc95\ubb34\ubd80\uace0\uc2dc \uc81c2026-65\ud638), effective 2026-02-12). Extension may be refused for those who lost ROK nationality to evade military service.","experience_waiver_conditions":"","last_updated_date":"2026-07-04"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/korea-visa-passports.jpg",1600,2000,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/korea-visa-passports-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/korea-visa-passports-240x300.jpg",240,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/korea-visa-passports-768x960.jpg",768,960,true],"large":["https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/korea-visa-passports-819x1024.jpg",819,1024,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/korea-visa-passports-1229x1536.jpg",1229,1536,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/korea-visa-passports.jpg",1600,2000,false],"trp-custom-language-flag":["https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/korea-visa-passports-10x12.jpg",10,12,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/ko\/author\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"F-4 \u5370 Visa Guides F-4 Overseas Korean (Ethnic Korean with Foreign Nationality) \uc7ac\uc678\ub3d9\ud3ec (F-4) &mdash; F-4 Overseas Korean residence status [&hellip;]","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/visa-guides\/299","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/visa-guides"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/visa-guides"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=299"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"visa_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/visa_category?post=299"},{"taxonomy":"journey_stage","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gokoreastudy.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/journey_stage?post=299"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}