F-4 Visa

In 1999, G.O.A.’L. successfully petitioned the Korean government to include Korean adoptees in the Overseas Korean Act, granting adoptees access to the F-4 visa.

Prior to this, overseas adopted Koreans who had acquired foreign nationality were only permitted to visit Korea on an F-1 visa, which limited and restricted their time in the country. The F-4 visa allows adoptees more freedom and access to Korean services while living in Korea.

Children of adoptees are also eligible to apply for the F-4 visa.

What are the advantages of the F-4 Visa?

• Multiple entry status, allowing you to enter/exit Korea without limit for up to three years.
• Reside in Korea for up to 3 years and is easily extended with a renewal application.
• Able to obtain a wider variety of corporate, teaching, and other professional positions without visa sponsorship.
• Gives better access to long-term Korean services such as phone plans, rental agreements, financial, etc.
• There is no Korean language eligibility requirement for adoptees applying for the F-4 visa.
• Exemption from some foreigner regulations (i.e. F-4 visa holders may trade in their driver’s license without taking the test.)

If you’re thinking about making the move to Korea, G.O.A.’L. can help you apply for the F-4 visa. In order to apply, you will need the following documents:

APPLICATION FORMS

• Application Form 34 (재외동포 통합신청서 (신고서))
• Foreigner Occupation and Annual Income Report (외국인 직업 및 연간 소득금액 신고서)
• Domestic Residence Report Form (거소 신청서)
  • If applying for your visa outside of Korea, you will need to submit this form to Immigration once you enter Korea
• *Optional* Application for Adding Korean Name to Residence Card (외국인등록증(거소신고증) 한글성명 병기 신청서)
  • Submit this only if you want your Korean name listed with your adoptive name on your Residence Card

DOCUMENTS

• (A) Removed Registry (제적등본) (less than 6 months old)
  ~OR~
  (B) Korean Family Registry (가족관계증명서)
  and Basic Certificate (기본증명서) (less than 6 months old)
• Copy of Housing contract or rental agreement
  • If your name is NOT the signer of the housing contract, you will also need the Confirmation of Residence / Accommodation (거주/숙소제공 확인서)
• Passport – original + color copy (Valid for 3+ years)
• Certificate of Citizenship / Naturalization + color copy
  • If it is not in ENGLISH or KOREAN, a translated copy of Citizenship / Naturalization citizenship is needed.
• Adoption Certificate (입양사실확인서) (Less than 3 months old)
  • In case of an individual adoption: court decree on adoption, birth certificate, and all other adoption-related documents
• Criminal Background Check + Apostille from your adoptive country (Less than 6 months old)
  • Exempt if over 60 years of age

ETC.

• Two photos 3.5cm x 4.5cm (Less than 6 months old, must be identical)
• Processing Fee – 130,000 KRW*
  *This is the cost for applying in Korea, but if applying overseas, please check with your Consulate/Embassy