Guide · IMM · 101
The F-3 family visa
Bringing your spouse and kids. Who qualifies, the 2025 changes, and whether they can work.
In short
- The F-3 (동반, "accompanying") visa lets the spouse and unmarried minor children of certain visa holders live in Korea together.
- It's for families of workers/students (E-1–E-7, D-7/8/9, longer D-2, etc.). It does not cover spouses of Koreans (that's F-6), and it's not for E-9/D-3 families.
- 2025 change: you generally can't switch to F-3 inside Korea anymore. Apply at a Korean embassy abroad (limited humanitarian exceptions).
- F-3 doesn't allow work by default, but the spouse can get a separate work permit, and the process is being simplified in 2026.
If you're moving to Korea for work or study, the F-3 is how your family comes with you. It's tied to the main visa holder (the "inviter"), so the family's status stays valid only as long as theirs does.
Who can sponsor F-3
The inviter must hold a qualifying visa. Broadly this includes professional/work statuses E-1 to E-7 (including E-7-4), corporate/trade D-7/D-8/D-9, and degree students on longer D-2 tracks, plus some F-2/F-4 holders.
What you need
- Relationship proof: an apostilled marriage certificate (spouse) or apostilled birth certificate (child), with certified Korean translation.
- Financial capability: the inviter's proof of income, usually a written salary statement / income certificate. Thresholds are roughly ₩24–30M/year for the first dependent, rising per additional dependent (varies).
- Sponsor documents: often a letter of guarantee and confirmation of residence from the sponsoring company, plus the inviter's passport/ARC.
How to apply (2025 change)
Main visa holder gets their status first
F-3 depends on the inviter. They need their work/study visa granted before (or alongside) the family application.
Apply at a Korean embassy abroad
Since April 2025, in-country change to F-3 is generally no longer accepted (except limited humanitarian cases like illness, pregnancy, childbirth). Family joining later applies directly at a Korean consulate once the inviter's visa is granted.
Enter & register the ARC
Each family member registers for an ARC within 90 days. If entering together, you may need a visa-issuance certificate; if the inviter is already in Korea, that's not needed.
Keep status linked
F-3 stay matches the inviter's visa (up to 3 years, renewable). If the inviter changes jobs, they report within 15 days and the family's status links automatically, but each person still reports address changes (moves) on their ARC.
Can F-3 holders work?
Not by default. F-3 is for family members accompanying the inviter, and taking a job without permission can hurt both your status and the inviter's. The spouse can apply for separate work authorization (체류자격 외 활동허가), though, and the rules are getting easier:
- Spouses of professionals (E-1–E-7): can work in professional occupations and in agriculture/forestry/livestock, with permission. Spouses of top-tier talent can work in almost all sectors.
- Validity: up to 1 year within your F-3 stay (or the contract length), renewed annually.
- 2026 simplification: an online simplified permit via HiKorea (no office visit) has been introduced, and from April 22, 2026 comprehensive-permission special provisions further streamline it.
- Report within 15 days of starting/ending a job, for each workplace separately. Missing it can revoke your permission.
Children & F-3
- Children can attend Korean schools. Prepare apostilled/authenticated transcripts & enrollment certificates from your home country for admission/transfer.
- They use NHIS as dependents (no extra premium), so they get healthcare right away. See health insurance.
- Some local governments (e.g. Seoul, Ansan) offer kindergarten-fee support for resident foreign children. Check with your local education office.
F-3 and finding work
Employers often like hiring F-3 holders. You already live here, your family is settled, and converting F-3 → E-7 is usually simpler than recruiting from abroad. Many employers prefer candidates already in Korea on F-3/F-4/F-6/D-10. If you want to work long-term, that conversion (or working toward F-2) is the usual route.
Common questions
Is F-3 the same as the marriage visa?
No. F-3 is for families of foreign workers/students. F-6 is for spouses of Korean citizens. F-6 allows unrestricted work, while F-3 needs a permit.
Can I switch to F-3 while already in Korea?
Generally no, since April 2025. Apply at a Korean embassy abroad, except limited humanitarian cases.
Can my spouse on F-3 work full-time?
With work authorization, yes within the permitted fields for your inviter's status. Get the permit before starting and report within 15 days.
What happens if the main visa holder loses their job?
F-3 is tied to the inviter. If they lose status or leave Korea, the family's F-3 is affected. Plan conversions early if needed.
Sources: Korea Immigration Service / Ministry of Justice (체류 안내 매뉴얼, 2026), HiKorea, and 2025–2026 F-3 policy updates (in-country application restriction; simplified spousal work permits). Income thresholds approximate and vary.
Last verified: July 2026. F-3 rules changed a lot in 2025–2026 and vary by the inviter's visa, so check current requirements via HiKorea, 1345, or a licensed 행정사 before applying. General information, not immigration advice.
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