South Korea Work Visa for Indians

There are multiple types of work visas available for working in South Korea. Hence, the requirements and eligibility for obtaining a suitable visa depend on the type of visa you are applying for.

However, there are some basic South Korean work visa requirements for Indian citizens. You must meet the below criteria regardless of the visa they are seeking.

• You must own a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months. It must not be damaged or torn.

• You must have an invitation letter from a Korean employer.

• You must have a clean criminal record.

• You must not be experiencing any critical medical issues.

• You must meet the age and qualifications requirements.

There are two common categories of South Korean work visas which include:**

Professional Employment Visa

Short-term Employment Visa (C-4): It is available for individuals who want to engage in short-term employment activities for their profit. This includes advertising, fashion models, research, lecturers, technical advisors, etc.

Job Search Activity (D-10-1): It is a job seeker visa available for individuals who are seeking employment in South Korea.

Professor (E-1): It is granted to the foreigners who want to become a professor for higher education.

Instructors (E-2): This visa category is available for various types of foreign language instructors who get a job in a school or institution.

Research (E-3): It is granted to the applicants who wish to carry out research in the field of science and advanced technology. Note that this visa is issued only when a South Korean institution invites the foreign applicant.

Professional Occupations (E-5): It is issued to the foreign applicants who are seeking employment in professional occupations such as law, accounting, medicine, etc. It is granted to the applicants with specialised skills.

Non-professional Employment Visa

My Job Up (E-9-1): It is available for foreign workers employed in industries such as construction and manufacturing.

Dry Snow-up (E-9-2): It is available for foreign workers in cleaning and maintenance jobs.

Farming (E-9-3): It is available for foreign workers engaged in farming and agricultural activities.

Service Business (E-9-5): This visa category is designed for workers in the South Korean service industry, such as hotels and restaurants.

Cruiser (E-10-3): This visa is introduced for foreign applicants working on cruise ships in South Korea.

High-value Home Assistant (F-1-22): It is available for foreign workers who want to work as domestic helpers and caregivers in South Korean households.

Advance Sisoring (F-1-23): It is for an individual who signs a contract with a hi-tech investor to work as their household assistant.

Professional Assistant (F-1-24): It is available for an individual who signs a contract with a qualified resident to work as a domestic assistant.

Valid Passport: Similar to any other visa application requirement, you must have a passport with minimum six months of validity. Make sure that it has enough blank pages.

Visa Application Form: Depending on the type of South Korean work visa, you must have a complete and duly signed application form. You can download the relevant visa application forms here.

Passport-size Photographs: At least 2-3 passport-sized photos are required. Ensure that the images are as per the given specifications.

Educational Certificates: You need to provide a copy of your education certificate such as your marksheets and degree certificate.

Employment Certificates: You also need to submit your employment documents such as offer letters, experience letters, reference letters, etc.

Employment Contract: You must submit a copy of your employment contract provided by the Korean employer. It should state in detail your job profile, salary, and duration of employment along with other details.

Sponsorship Letter from a Korean Company or Individual: The sponsorship of the invitation letter must contain the complete details of the invitee as well as the inviter. These include full name, date of birth, passport number and expiry date, address, contact details, and a few other details.

Tax Returns of Previous Year: As a proof of financial sufficiency, the applicant’s are also required to submit their ITR form. Conversely, payment slips of the last few months may also be accepted.

Note: This is not the final list of documents required for a South Korean visa from India. The visa application centre or Embassy may ask for additional documents depending on your case. Hence, it is advisable to learn about the complete requirements by contacting the responsible authorities.

Step 1: Select Your Visa Type

The first and most crucial step when obtaining a South Korea job visa for Indian candidates is to opt for the right type of work visa. It is very important to ensure an obstacle-free and prompt visa processing.

Step 2: Initiate Your Visa Application

Once you have determined the right visa type, the next step is to download and carefully complete the relevant South Korea work visa application form. Ensure that all the fields are complete and correct. Korea Visa Application Center has been appointed the official partner of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of India.

Step 3: Select Your Nearest South Korea Visa Application Centre/Embassy

Next, select the visa application centre or consul that is nearest to your location. While you don’t need to make an appointment to visit the visa application centres, you must schedule your visit in advance before visiting the Embassy of South Korea.

Step 4: Visit the Visa Application Centre/Embassy

Visit the VAC or consul office along with the complete work visa application form and other supporting documents. Submit your application and documents and follow the instructions given by your visa officer.

Step 5: Pay Visa Fee

Next, pay the visa application fee along with the service charges at the visa application centre.

Step 6: Collect Your Documents

After your South Korea work visa application gets submitted, you need to wait for the decision. Once your decision is out, you will be informed via email or text and then you can collect your documents. By paying an additional amount, you can even request the VAC to send your documents via courier.

Also Read: South Korea Permanent Residency.

Effective February 1, 2024, the revised South Korea work visa fees for Indian applicants are as follows:

Note: This is only the visa fee for different categories of visas. Depending on the visa application and processing centres, there can be additional service charges.

Alien Registered Card: Any Non-south Korean visa holder who wants to stay in the country for more than 180 days or six months must mandatorily apply for an Alien Registration Card within 90 days of their arrival in the country. It is an important document that serves as proof of identity for the expats and allows them to access essential services such as banking, healthcare, etc.

The processing time for a South Korea work visa from India depends on the visa category and individual case. It can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks based on these factors.

Moreover, the processing time for your Alien Registration Card is around 3-5 weeks based on the workload of your local immigration office.

In order to obtain a visa at the earliest, it is crucial to monitor its status. Many times the visa application gets delayed because it is kept on hold for certain reasons like incomplete details or documents. If not addressed on time, these issues can lead to visa rejections.

Thankfully, checking the South Korea job visa status for Indian applicants is easy and free of cost.
All you need to do is visit the VFS Global visa tracking portal for performing a South Korea work visa check online. You can use your name and visa reference number to retrieve your application status.

Alternatively, you can also contact your visa application centre directly to request an update on your application status.

South Korea Visa Application Centres in India

Complete the Immigration Formalities: The first step after landing in South Korea is to complete the immigration formalities and security checks. Keep all your documents handy and present them when asked. The immigration officers at the airport may also interview you. Make sure to answer all the questions honestly and politely.

Book Your Transport and Enquire About Accommodation: If your accommodation is arranged by your employer or visa sponsor, enquire about the details and book your transport at the airport itself to avoid any inconvenience.

Apply for the Alien Registration Card: As mentioned above, you need to obtain an Alien Registration Card within three months of your arrival in South Korea. Since the processing takes 3-5 weeks, it is recommended to apply for this permit at the earliest.

Get Familiar With Local Culture: If you are looking forward to spending a long time in South Korea, it is advisable to learn about the local culture and way of life. It will help you integrate with the community.

Avoid Sharing Your Documents with Unknowns: Last but not least, avoid sharing your personal information or documents with anyone you are unfamiliar with. In case of any emergency or help, get in touch with the Embassy of India in Seoul.

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