Re-Entry Visas
What is a re-entry visa, and why would I need one?
A re-entry visa is a visa that allows a person who is already in Korea legally, to leave Korea to visit another country and then return to Korea without having to obtain another visa. Without a re-entry visa, your visa would be canceled upon exiting the country.
Single vs. Multiple Entry Visas
You would need a re-entry visa if your original visa was a “Single entry” (designated by an “S”) visa. If you are a US citizen, generally you are automatically issued a “Multiple entry” visa with their first entry (designated by an “M”), and therefore would not need a re-entry visa. However, most other countries’ citizens are generally issued a single entry visa and if wishing to leave and return to Korea, then they must obtain a re-entry visa before departing from Korea.
Multiple Re-entry Visas and Visa Renewal:
If you are an American, you do not automatically receive a re-entry visa if you renew or extend your visa for an additional period. You will have to apply before exiting the country if you plan to travel after your first year. If you are from another country, you must obtain a re-entry visa for any departure from Korea with a planned return before the end of your visa period.
Getting a Re-entry Visa
This will require a trip to the immigration office in Mokdong, 50,000 won for fees and a Korean Immigration Integrated Application Form. There are two different types of re-entry visas, Single Re-entry and Multiple Re-entry. Single will allow you to leave and come back once for 30,000 won. Multiple re-entries allow unlimited exits and entries and cost 50,000 won. Take the money, form, your passport and Alien Registration Card to immigration. If you filled out the form in advance, grab a number and head over to the small desk where you can get stamps. Hand over your money and they’ll give you a string of stamps for that amount. Glue them to your application in the space provided. Sit and wait for your number to be called, and then process your application. From the time of sitting with an immigration officer to the end is less than fifteen minutes.
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Hi Kim,
I am in Korea with my contracting company under the A3 (SOFA) visa. My company’s contract with the military expires on the 18th, unfortunately the NEW contract hasn’t been approved yet. I am therefore going to be in the country “illegally” until the new contract is authorized.
Please assist.
Thanks,
Hello Lovin’ It-
While I can’t give you any assistance, I can advise you two things. First is to go to Immigration, explain your situation, and get a temporary extension on your visa. If they don’t, or your new contract isn’t approved before the end of the extension, skip over to Japan overnight or somewhere else and come back in on a tourist visa until you get your new contract authorized. From there it’s whatever regular dealings you have with immigration surrounding contracts with the military. Failing to leave the country on the expiry of your visa can result in fines of 100,000 won per day, and I haven’t heard of a limit on these fines. The trip will probably cost you a couple hundred dollars, and it’s up to you if you want to go cheap (train and ferry to Fukuoka) or more expensive (flight and overnight in Tokyo). See it as a travel opportunity.
hi…. i’m a foreigner married to a korean national, i have an F-2-1 visa.. i also have a multiple re-entry permit… i had to come back to my home country for the 2nd time this year..the 1st time was when my grandmother died and i only stayed here for a week, so i wasn’t worried.
however, this second time around, i have to stay here longer.. right now, i’ve been staying here in my home country for 65 days (today is my 65th day of stay here)…. my question is, how long can i continue to stay here in order not to lose the validity of my multiple re-entry permit? i’ve heard from my friend, i can only stay here for less than 90 days, then i have to go back to korea as part of the “multiple re-entry permit” policy…is this information correct? i’ve been surfing the net for hours trying to find a reliable source but i haven’t bumped into one…
i’m looking forward to your answer to this question, so i can book a flight appropriately…thank you…
Wow. You have me stumped on this one. I’m sorry to hear about your situation, and I hope a call by you or your spouse to Immigration can clear this up. See the links above for contacts to immigration offices.
hi,
I have single reentry permit on my visa.
I plan to go India on next month.
Is that enough to go and come back.
Do I need to take multiple reentry permit now.
Thanks in advance
If you have a re-entry permit and have not yet used it, you should be able to re-enter Korea. If you have left Korea since purchasing your re-entry visa you will need a new one.
Maam/Sir,
I still have valid alien card and re entry on my passport,.but that was for my work.How if i want to go back to korea for visit?Is it possible to use my re-entry and valid alien card? What are those requirements i have to provide?And how to do it easily?
Thank u
hi,
i just wanna ask if they will stamp my passport if i have single re-entry permit? and how will i know if i can still go back at korea????because i supposedly have a vacation only
Dear Kim Hogg,
You seem to be a wiz on Korean visas so I’ll take a stab in the dark. lol
Do you know if its possible to extend a C-4 visa post 90 days if you are staying with the same employer? Thanks
Hi Kim Hogg,
You seem to be a wiz on this subject so I figured I’d take a stab in the dark. lol
Do you know if its possible to extend a C-4 visa post 90 days if you remain with the same employer? Thanks
Hahaha- Hi Mike
I’m just someone with some experience, and what I don’t know I’m honest about. Unfortunately, I don’t know much about C-series visas. I see that C-4 is a short-term visa, which may be limited in duration by law. I don’t know how long that period is, but my guess would be about 90 days, since that seems to be a magic number on Korean visa issues. If you are continuing at the same job for less than 90 additional days, it MAY be possible for a fee, but maybe not. This is probably best a question for immigration themselves. You can try calling them at 1345 (I don’t think you need an area code for this one; just punch the 4 digits into a keypad and you’re good to go).
Immigration stamps your passport for every exit and entrance. They will look for a re-entry permit, and they usually put their stamp on the same page as the permit. If the permit has been used, they will often cross it out on the page or otherwise nullify it.
Re: Visa
hello. great site. i got a gig teaching in daejeon beginning this december 2010. i taught in korea over my winter break in 08/09 and wound up breaking contract and leaving after only a few months. i have yet to go to the embassy in the US to get my visa for this position. it’s coming up though -next week- and i was wondering if i can expect any problems? (it has been almost two years since i left.) will i have to talk about the other visa and why i left? is it possible that my name is on some sort of black list?
thank you.
Hi
I am studying in south korea from Jan 2010 as an undergraduate. This time in december end I am planning to go back to India for one month vacation. But when I went to Daejeon immigration office to renew my visa and get a single entry,the lady renewed my visa length but said to me I dont need any single entry if I am planning for just one month stay in India.
I am quite confused.Please help me out.
der sir and mom! can you help me about my re entry. because to day im go to immegration said nothing re entry
just free. thank you very much
Hello.. I need help~
I am British citizen. If my D4 (mutiple entry) visa ends and I wish to continue travelling in Korea for extra 90 days, I am going to leave Korea to Japan to visit my friend for couple days then back to Korea. When I get back, do I automatically receive a 90 days tourist visa stamps or I need to re-apply one?
Thanks.
Mr. Kim Hogg
Can you help me about my Visa E-9 for reentry my employer told me he call immigration office he said its ok no reentry permit this the new policy in rentry thank you
Dear Michael-
I really have no idea.
To the best of my knowledge, British Citizens traveling on a British passport do not need to apply for a tourist visa. You may wish to confirm this with Immigration if you are uncertain.
@ Rommel:
I’m not sure I understand your question.
Dear Kaushik-
I don’t think I understand your situation. What is your visa status, where are you now, what is your duration of stay in Korea and when are you visiting India? Does your visa include multiple re-entry status?
i have a quick question…what does the mutliple entry permit look like? I am a US citizen teaching English through EPIK. I originally had a single entry visa, but then i paid at the immigration office for a multiple entry. Only, Im not sure where it is. On my visa there is now a stamp from the immigration office, but thats the only change i can see. I would appreciate the help!
Thanks
i was detained in korea before as a overstayed worker as a musician to factory worker last march 2007 i just want to know untill when should i come back in korea as a e-6 visa , its possible and how many yaers ? do you have an amnesty for this case
On your first visa as an American, you should have a capital “M” on your visa, which indicates that you have a multiple-entry permit. From your first renewal onward, however, you’ll have to pay for the re-entry permit. It’s a special stamp that will live close to your visa in your passport where space permits, and which say either “single” or “multiple” and the date of expiry.
You should contact Immigration directly for an answer to this question.
i dont hAVE ANY CONTACT NO. OF IMMGRATION CAN YOU PLS. GIVE IT TO ME…TNX KIM HOGG
Dear Sir/Mam,
I’m a E-9 visa holder I’m planing going to vacation this January 16 then I’m going back to South Korea on January 28 i spoke my employer to get me a re-entry visa, then he going to Immigration office then the Immigration officer told him no need to apply the re-entry visa just show the Alien Registration Certification on the Immigration Officer in the airport if the foreign worker want to go back here in South Korea.
thank you
john
Dear Sir/Mam,
I’m a E-9 visa holder I’m planing going to vacation this January 16 then I’m going back to South Korea on January 28 i spoke my employer to get me a re-entry visa, then he going to Immigration office then the Immigration officer told him no need to apply the re-entry visa just show the Alien Registration Certification on the Immigration Officer in the airport if the foreign worker want to come back here in South Korea.
thank you
john
I am headed to Korea to teach English with an E2 visa, and will arrive in Korea Feb. 11th. The problem is that it is a single entry visa, and i will be leaving Korea Feb. 13th for vacation for a couple days, and then returning on the 20th.
I should have time to get to the office where I need to apply for a re-entry permit, but I will not have my ARC yet. Will this be a problem? Is there any other way I will be allowed into/out of Korea during this time without cancelling my visa? It says final entry date of April/25.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do!
Thanks,
Josh
jgibbs104@gmail.com
Hi Josh-
Your re-entry permit goes into your passport along with your visa. You don’t need to apply for your ARC until you’ve been here almost 90 days (although once you’re going to be in-country for a couple weeks at a time you should probably start it). You will be arriving on the 11th, which is a Friday, so before leaving the airport head to the Immigration office there and have them issue you a single-reentry visa since you are leaving over a weekend and your local office is only open weekdays. The only issue may come when immigration asks to see your ARC when you re-enter. Hopefully they will be able to see that you weren’t able to get a card made before leaving and will accept just your passport.
I guess you can talk to the officer at the gate when you enter the country at the airport and see if s/he won’t put you on a tourist visa for a couple of days and let you start your work visa when you return on the 20th of February. If they require you to start your work visa, head to the immigration office in the departures area and work it out there. Just remember if you’re not speaking in Korean, speak slowly, without idioms and always be very polite.
Good luck!
Thanks for the advice! I am going to call the consulate and embassy here in America Monday when they open. Hoping they will have good news for me!
Like you mentioned, I will definitely speak with the immigrations officer to try and figure out what they say as well! Where exactly is the immigrations office? I do not think I have been to there before, only through the immigrations gate. I have been to Korea a couple times before, so speaking slowly and in common language is something I am familiar with, thanks for the advice!
I renewed my visa in November and got a pleasant surprise – you no longer need a multiple entry permit – they did away with it. You can come and go as often as you like as long as you have a valid alien r card and a passport.
Hi Joe-
Could you give me some more information on this? What type of visa are you on and what citizenship are you traveling on? I’m wondering if these if global or for only certain groups. It could be good news for many people!
Kim and others–
Joe is right. Starting from December, there was no longer a requirement to have a re-entry permit. This applies to all E-2 visa holders from all nationalities. This was confirmed by my immigration office, a written sign, and a few online sources. I’ve known quite a few people already who have left Korea and come back in no problem without a re-entry permit.
I’m on an F-2, and I didn’t need one. It seemed to me that they are no longer necessary for anyone from what the public official said, but I can’t confirm this.
Well this is great news! Immigration is probably losing money off this decision, but gaining a ton of man-hours.
Hi,
My bosses told me i had a `10 day grace period after my visa expired. so i never bothered to get an extension. i got a 67-1 stamped on my visa since i overstayed 7 days. i found out this meansan extension order, or voluntary departure. i now need a korean police report for my new job as they need records from every country i lived in within the last 5 years.
do you know if this will show up on my record?
i got this off a korean immi law site. since it’s a minor offense, i didn’t do fingerprinting or anything like that, i didn’t even fill out paper work! so i am really hoping this doesn’t show up on a report…
If the foreigner commits a minor offense, the head of the office or branch office may recommend him to depart voluntarily from the Republic of Korea (Article 67.(1).1 of the 「Immigration Control Act」).
I have no idea how this will affect a criminal record check from Korea.
Here is my situation. I am an E-2 visa holder and I am renewing my job. Someone from work went to the immigration officer with my ARC card and it was renewed until 2012, so my ARC card is not the issue. In my passport I have a re-entry permit that was issued in March of 2010 and says it is good for multiple re-entries until April of 2011. I have nothing else NEW issued in my passport, just my old re-entry permit. Do I need anything else?
I leave on April 1st and will be going home for a month. Will I be able to come back into Korea and work?
Without a new re-entry permit, you will not be allowed back into South Korea once the original one has expired. Otherwise, you will be stuck going through the entire “visa” process again from back in your home country which can take several months.
It’s usually easier (not rushing around in a last minute nightmare at the airport trying to find, and deal with, Immigration minutes before your flight leaves) to get one at the closest Immigration office close to where you live. Also, that multiple re-entry permit comes in handy if you plan on traveling to and from South Korea during your vacation time or if you have to leave suddenly to attend to personal business back home.
hello sir,
i am musician in your country i have e-6-2 visa last dec.2006 i run away to my employer and work as a factory worker but unluckly i was caught by the immgration in my factory on feb.2007 and when i was departed in korea they put a 46-1 red stamp in my passport…my question is do have a chance to go back and work in korea? do they give considerations and amnesty in this case? and how many years ?thanks
hello sir,
i am singer before i have e-6-2 visa last oct-.2006 i run away to my employer and work as a factory worker but unluckly i was caught by the immgration in my factory on jan.2007 and when i was departed in korea they put a 46-1 red stamp in my passport…my question is do have a chance to go back and work in korea? do they give considerations and amnesty in this case? and how many years ?thanks
Sorry to hear about your situation. I really have no idea about your circumstances. I would suggest asking an immigration lawyer or perhaps immigration directly.
I have only been working in korea for over a month. I went to Fukuoka for Chuseok holiday, but cancelled my e2 visa on leaving, i thought it was a multiple entry. The immigration officer told me on departing, but I was already late and had paid for flights already, i decided to go anyway. I am back in korea today on a tourist visa, is it likely I will be caught for working illegally? Maybe I should find another job, as I wanted to change anyway? I would really appreciate your advice. Thank you
I think everyone on an e2 gets automatic reentry permits. I dont understand why you lost your visa on the way in. I would contact immigration as soon as possible. I think it was a mistake but dont take my opinion as gospel.
Sir,
Good day! I am working here with my E-6 visa.My fiance applied me a fiancee visa to states last September, my concern is we are waiting for our papers to be forwarded here in South Korea so I can be interviewed in the Embassy in Seoul but my employer told me that he will not extend my working visa which will expire on Jan.30,2012.What can we do to make me stay here while waiting for my interview?Should I do the single re-entry visa and fly to japan? I only need 60 more days to stay coz we already request to expedite the fiancee visa but we are scared that it will not get on time coz my other visa will expire and I have to live the country.Please help us.
hi..
good day to you ma’am,
can i ask question how get multiple re enter visa? and where to get it?
im married in korean guy and i will go there in next yeAR by January
im worry i don’t know how to get it because my plan is to visit my mom every 5 months.. here in philippines
i hope u can help me tnx
sir,i want to know that my departure from south korea almost seven months i am in my home country but i have visa and registration card also my visa will be finished in march 2012 so i am plan to go back some sort of probs in home i am late but now i am ready to go back u tell me there is no prob for me i have also alien card
Hi
I am having indian passport and Korean D8 single entry visa with alien card
i am travelling to UAE with UAE tourist visa.
will their be any problem while exiting from korea or while entering in to korea
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