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A Brief Introduction to Korea’s Visa System

2025.11.03

<div style="text-align: justify;">Introduction 
 
With the increasing demand for foreign labor among Korean companies and increase in the number of foreigners interested in working in the Republic of Korea (“Korea”), the visa system plays a pivotal role in facilitating both domestic and cross-border business activities in Korea.  This article examines some of the visas frequently issued in Korea, particularly those relevant to foreigners seeking employment.  It also briefly discusses the possibility of initiating an administrative litigation in Korea in case of a visa-related dispute with respect to the decision made by the immigration authorities. 
 
 
1. General Overview 
 
Korea’s visa system is structured and governed under the Immigration Act and its subordinate regulations (“Korea Immigration Law”).  Under Korea Immigration Law, visas are categorized based on the purpose of stay in Korea as follows: 
 
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			<th style="border-width:2px 1px 1px; border-style:solid; border-color:#cc0000 #bbbbbb #bbbbbb; padding:5px 10px 5px 10px; border-image:initial; background-color:#f2f2f2; padding-right:12px; text-align:center;" width="20%">Type</th>
			<th style="border-width: 2px 1px 1px; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(204, 0, 0) rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 12px 5px 10px; border-image: initial; background-color: rgb(242, 242, 242); text-align: center;" width="20%">Categories</th>
			<th style="border-width: 2px 1px 1px; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(204, 0, 0) rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 12px 5px 10px; border-image: initial; background-color: rgb(242, 242, 242); text-align: center;" width="60%">Eligible Applicants</th>
		</tr>
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			<td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #bbbbbb; border-right:1pt solid #bbbbbb; padding:5px 10px 5px 10px; border-left:1pt solid #bbbbbb; border-image:initial; text-align:center; line-height:normal">A: Public service</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Diplomacy, public service, etc.</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Diplomats; staff from international organizations</td>
		</tr>
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			<td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #bbbbbb; border-right:1pt solid #bbbbbb; padding:5px 10px 5px 10px; border-left:1pt solid #bbbbbb; border-image:initial; text-align:center; line-height:normal">B: Tourism</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Visa exempt, transit</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Citizens from a country under visa exemption agreement with Korea; tourists in transit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td rowspan="2" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #bbbbbb; border-right:1pt solid #bbbbbb; padding:5px 10px 5px 10px; border-left:1pt solid #bbbbbb; border-image:initial; text-align:center; line-height:normal">C: Short-term</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">C-1 News coverage</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Journalists and reporters from foreign media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">C-3 General, business visitors</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Short-term visitors for various reasons</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="1" rowspan="6" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #bbbbbb; border-right:1pt solid #bbbbbb; padding:5px 10px 5px 10px; border-left:1pt solid #bbbbbb; border-image:initial; text-align:center; line-height:normal">D: Education, training, etc.</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">D-2 Students</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Exchange students and foreign students seeking university degrees</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">D-3~4 Training</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Foreign trainees in various industries; elementary/middle/high school students</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">D-7 Intra-company transferees</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Foreign workers transferring to headquarter or branch office in Korea</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">D-8 Business investment</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Foreigners working in foreign-invested company in Korea, foreigners investing in business ventures and start-ups</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">D-9 International trade</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Traders and technicians from overseas</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">D-10 Job search</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Foreigners seeking job in Korea</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="1" rowspan="7" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #bbbbbb; border-right:1pt solid #bbbbbb; padding:5px 10px 5px 10px; border-left:1pt solid #bbbbbb; border-image:initial; text-align:center; line-height:normal">E: Employment</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">E-1 Professor</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">University professors</td>
		</tr>
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			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">E-2 Language teacher</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Foreign language instructor, teaching assistant</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">E-3~4 Research, technology</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Researchers and laboratory technicians</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">E-5 Professionals</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Foreign lawyers, CPAs, doctors engaging in professional work</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">E-6 Artists, athletes</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Artists performing music, fine arts, literature or acting; athletes engaging in sports</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">E-7 Special ability</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Professionals working in an area or field designated by the Ministry of Justice of Korea</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">E-9~10 Non-professional employment</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Unskilled labor workers in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, fisheries, services, forestry, mining</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #bbbbbb; border-right:1pt solid #bbbbbb; padding:5px 10px 5px 10px; border-left:1pt solid #bbbbbb; border-image:initial; text-align:center; line-height:normal">F: Family</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Overseas Koreans, permanent residents, etc.</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Overseas Korean nationals and their families and dependents, spouse and children of Korean national, permanent residents and their families</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #bbbbbb; border-right:1pt solid #bbbbbb; padding:5px 10px 5px 10px; border-left:1pt solid #bbbbbb; border-image:initial; text-align:center; line-height:normal">G: Others</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">G1 Treatment</td>
			<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px 10px; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-top: none; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Patients in need of medical treatment</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
 
 
2. Visas Related to Business Activities in Korea 
 
Among various work-related visas in Korea, E-9, E-7 and D-7 are particularly important in terms of demand.  The intended purpose and eligibility of these visas can be summarized as follows: 
 
<ul>
	<li>E-9 Visa (Non-professional Employment) 
	E-9 is one of the widely used visas in Korea.  E-9 visa operates under the Employment Permit System which is based on the Act on the Employment of Foreign Workers, and it is issued for foreigners wishing to work in specific industries where it is difficult to find and recruit local workers — such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture and fisheries.  In order to be eligible for E-9 visa, the applicant must be a selected worker from one of the countries that have signed bilateral agreement with the Korean Government.  A vast majority of foreign workers in Korea hold E-9 visa, and it plays a critical role in addressing the domestic labor shortage in rural industries.    
	 </li>
	<li>E-7 Visa (Special Ability) 
	E-7 visa is applicable to foreigners with special ability and expertise in the field designated by the Ministry of Justice of Korea.  Applicants are usually professionals working in a Korean company or employees of a foreign company operating in Korea.  
	 
	Application for E-7 visa requires an employment contract, academic transcript, proof of professional qualification and a Certificate of Visa Eligibility of the applicant.  Given that E-7 visa would potentially allow the holder to generate high-level income from a long-term economic activity in Korea, E-7 visa application is subject to rigorous review process which looks into all of the following factors: 
	 </li>
</ul>

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			<td style="width: 3%; text-align: justify;" valign="top"></td>
			<td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 18px" width="5%">(i)</td>
			<td style="font-size: 18px" width="95%">Whether or not the roles and responsibilities of the applicant align with the description of the “professional occupation” designated by the Ministry of Justice of Korea.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="width: 3%; text-align: justify;" valign="top"></td>
			<td style="text-align:center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 18px">(ii)</td>
			<td style="font-size: 18px">Whether or not there is appropriate reason for hiring a foreigner instead of a local worker (it must be shown that the job must be performed by a foreign expert who cannot be replaced by a local worker). </td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="width: 3%; text-align: justify;" valign="top"></td>
			<td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 18px">(iii)</td>
			<td style="font-size: 18px">Financial soundness of the employer (i.e. sponsor) in Korea.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="width: 3%; text-align: justify;" valign="top"></td>
			<td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 18px">(iv)</td>
			<td style="font-size: 18px">Completeness and accuracy of the application documents.</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
</div>

<ul>
	<li>D-7 Visa (Expats) 
	D-7 visa is intended to facilitate intra-company transfers.  Applicant for D-7 visa is typically a foreigner from a company in overseas who is being dispatched to its branch office in Korea, or a foreigner employed at the overseas branch office of a Korean company who is being transferred to work at the headquarter in Korea.    
	 
	Application for D-7 visa must be accompanied by a document evidencing the overseas transfer (relocation) of the applicant between two entities (i.e. headquarter of a foreign company and its branch office in Korea), applicant’s employment certificate and the business registration certificate of the sponsoring entity in Korea.  Unlike E-7 visa which is for a newly employed foreigner, D-7 visa is usually for the existing employee of a multinational company relocating to Korea. 
	 </li>
	<li>E-8, D-9 and D-8 Visas 
	E-8, D-9 and D-8 visas also work related.  Although the number of applicants is quite limited, these visas are generally intended to serve specific governmental policy such as alleviating labor shortage in rural areas or promoting trade and investment in Korea. 
	 
	D-8 (Foreign Investment) is for foreign investors and officers of foreign-invested companies in Korea, and D-9 (International Trade) is for foreigners who wish to engage international trading in Korea.  E-8 (Seasonal Work) is a short-term visa for foreigners entering into Korea for seasonal labor during harvest season or peak fishing season based on a certain agreement or treaty which has been entered into by the Korean Government. </li>
</ul>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Korea offers a range of visa options designed to accommodate the needs of various applicants.  From the perspective of a Korean company seeking to hire a foreign worker or a foreign company planning to dispatch its employee to Korea, it is essential to review the legal characteristics and requirements of various visa types available in Korea.  Such review process should form an integral part of the company’s HR planning.</div>
 
 
3. Possibility of initiating an administrative litigation for Visa related disputes in Korea 
 
<div style="text-align: justify;">A foreigner may want to know whether or not it is possible to initiate a court proceeding in Korea in case of a dispute relating to the decision made by the immigration authorities.  In this regard, the Supreme Court of Korea made a distinction between cases involving application for the issuance of a new visa and those involving application to change the existing visa status.     
 
Below is a brief overview of the relevant Supreme Court judgements:</div>

<ul>
	<li>Supreme Court Case 2014-Du-42506 (May 15, 2018) 
	In this case, a foreigner applied for a F-6 (marriage immigration) visa after marrying a Korean citizen, but the application was rejected by the Korean immigration authorities on the ground of insufficient financial capacity to support a family.  The applicant filed a lawsuit in Korea but the Supreme Court dismissed the claim because it was of the view that the applicant lacked legal standing to challenge the decision made by the immigration authorities in this case. 
	 
	The Supreme Court stated that the legal standing in a lawsuit for disputing an administrative action depends on whether or not there is any specific legal interest that needs to be protected under the law on which the administrative action was made.  
	 
	The Supreme Court was of the view that the applicant had no legal standing in this case.  The reasoning of the Supreme Court can be summarized as follows: 
	 </li>
</ul>

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td style="width: 3%; text-align: justify;" valign="top"></td>
			<td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 18px" width="5%">-</td>
			<td style="font-size: 18px" width="95%">Issuance of a visa does not constitute a full authorization which guarantees the applicant’s right to enter Korea.  Instead, it should be considered as a precondition or a positive signal for entering Korea. </td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="width: 3%; text-align: justify;" valign="top"></td>
			<td style="text-align:center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 18px">-</td>
			<td style="font-size: 18px">The purpose of Immigration Act and its sub-decrees (the legal basis for the decision made by the Korean authorities) is to maintain order in immigration and to serve public interest relating to border control.  They are not intended to guarantee a foreigner’s right to enter Korea or the protection of personal interests of a foreigner wanting to enter Korea.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="width: 3%; text-align: justify;" valign="top"></td>
			<td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 18px">-</td>
			<td style="font-size: 18px">Applicant is requesting for entry into Korea from abroad, and the applicant does not have any substantive relationship or ties with Korea which requires protection under Korean law.  Therefore, the necessity to recognize the applicant’s legal standing is not significant from a legal policy perspective.  </td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

<ul>
	<li>Supreme Court Case 2015-Du-48846 (July 14, 2016) 
	In this case, a foreigner living in Korea applied for the changes to her visa type/status from C-3 (short-term visit) to F-1 (visiting and residing with family) in order to take care of her spouse who was injured from a work-related accident in Korea.  The immigration authorities rejected the application, and the applicant filed a lawsuit in Korea.  The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the applicant in this case, and the key points made by the Supreme Court are as follows:</li>
</ul>

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td style="width: 3%; text-align: justify;" valign="top"></td>
			<td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 18px" width="5%">-</td>
			<td style="font-size: 18px" width="95%">When a foreigner who already legitimately entered Korea applies for the change in visa status or extension of stay, the decision of the authorities that rejected the application is a subject matter which can be challenged in the court.  Also, a foreigner who lived in Korea is likely to have legal standing if he/she can show substantive connection with Korea.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="width: 3%; text-align: justify;" valign="top"></td>
			<td style="text-align:center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 18px">-</td>
			<td style="font-size: 18px">The decision on the changes to the visa type/status is up to the discretion of the immigration authorities.  In making such decision, the authorities may take into account the public interest as well as the applicant’s qualification, and the reason for the stay in Korea.  The exercise of such discretionary power is not legal if the decision was based on a serious factual error or if the decision violates the principle of equality or social norms.  </td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Based on these Supreme Court judgements, unlike the decisions made by immigration authorities to reject an initial visa application, decisions relating to the application for the change in visa type of a foreigner living in Korea may be subject of an administrative litigation.  Moreover, depending on the factual circumstances of the case, the decision of the immigration authorities may be overturned if the authorities are found to have exercised their decision-making powers in an abusive or disproportionate manner.</div>
 
 
4. Closing Remarks 
 
<div style="text-align: justify;">Recent immigration statistics released by the Ministry of Justice of Korea show continued increase in the number of foreigners working in Korea.  For the companies that employ foreigners for their business operation in Korea, a clear understanding of the visa system is essential.  Those companies should select and apply for the appropriate visa for the employees – based on the intended purpose and the individual circumstances of each employee – to minimize the risk of visa rejections and potential dispute with the immigration authorities.</div>
 
<a href="https://www.jipyong.com/kr/board/news_view.php?seq=14490" target="_blank">[Link to Korean Newsletter]</a> 
 
 
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