The F-3 Dependent Visa: Bringing Your Family to Korea

The F-3 accompanying dependent visa (동반비자) is how spouses and children join a foreign resident who is already living in Korea on a qualifying long-term visa. If your partner holds an E-7 work visa or a D-2 student visa, for example, the F-3 is the path to keeping the family together.

The rules changed significantly in 2025. Apostilled documents are now mandatory, in-country status changes are blocked, F-3 renewals are tied to the sponsor's renewal, and an income requirement applies for longer stays. If your information comes from before 2025, most of it is outdated.

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Who qualifies as a sponsor?

Only certain long-term visa holders can sponsor F-3 dependents. The eligible sponsor categories are:

Source: Korean Embassy Singapore, F-3-1 page; statutory basis: 출입국관리법 시행령 별표1.

Who cannot sponsor an F-3?

E-9 holders cannot sponsor F-3 dependents. The E-9 is the non-professional employment visa used under the Employment Permit System (EPS). The eligible-sponsor list does not include it, and this is the most common question among EPS workers. There is no workaround.

H-2 holders are not on the eligible-sponsor list either. The H-2 is the overseas Korean working visit visa. If you hold an H-2 and are unsure about your specific situation, confirm directly with the 1345 Immigration Contact Center before drawing any conclusions.

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Who qualifies as a dependent?

The F-3 covers two categories:

• Spouse: legally married, regardless of nationality
• Unmarried children under 19: biological, adopted, or step-children where the legal relationship is documented

An F-3 is not available to parents, siblings, or other extended family. Those categories have no standard Korean visa route for dependent status.

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The 2025 rule changes: what shifted

Two sets of changes came into force in 2025. Both are significant. If you applied for an F-3 before 2025, the process you went through may no longer apply.

Document and status-change rules

These changes took effect together. Confirm current implementation at hikorea.go.kr or your Korean consulate:

1. Apostille required. Marriage certificates and birth certificates must carry an apostille from the issuing country, or be legalized by the Korean embassy in that country. Notarized translations alone are not sufficient.
2. Letter of Guarantee required. The sponsor signs a Letter of Guarantee (보증서) accepting responsibility for the dependent's stay.
3. Proof of accommodation required. Evidence that the family will have a place to live in Korea (lease agreement, employer housing letter, or equivalent).
4. In-country status changes to F-3 are generally not permitted. A family member already in Korea on a tourist or short-stay visa generally cannot change status to F-3 inside Korea. They apply for the F-3 visa at a Korean consulate in their home country. Narrow humanitarian exceptions exist; contact the 1345 Immigration Contact Center if you believe your situation may qualify.

Income requirement

An income requirement applies, and the benchmark is updated periodically. Sponsors must meet a minimum annual income for longer stays. The 2026 figures are:

A shortfall of less than 10% of the required threshold can be covered by bank deposits.

Confirm the current figures at hikorea.go.kr or your Korean consulate before applying, as they are adjusted periodically.

F-3 renewals now tied to the sponsor's renewal

You can no longer renew an F-3 independently. The dependent's renewal is filed at the same time as the sponsor's visa renewal. Missing the sponsor's renewal window can leave the F-3 without cover. Start the renewal process at least 4 months before the sponsor's visa expires, and confirm the current procedure at hikorea.go.kr.

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How to apply

There are two application routes depending on where the family member is when the process begins.

Route 1: Family member is outside Korea

The sponsor files for a Visa Issuance Confirmation Number (사증발급인정서, VICN) at their local Korean immigration office. Once the VICN is approved, the immigration office sends confirmation to the Korean consulate in the family member's home country. The family member then applies for the F-3 visa at that consulate, presents the VICN, and enters Korea.

Steps:

1. Gather documents (see below).
2. Sponsor applies for a VICN at their local Korean immigration office. Book an appointment at hikorea.go.kr.
3. Immigration office reviews and approves the VICN (processing time varies; allow several weeks).
4. Family member applies for the F-3 visa at the Korean consulate in their home country, presenting the VICN approval and the same document set.
5. Family member enters Korea on the F-3 visa.
6. Register for an Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증) within 90 days of arrival. The ARC fee is ₩35,000, cash only (as of 2026; verify at hikorea.go.kr).

Route 2: Family member is already in Korea on a different status

This route is generally closed for most applicants. In-country status changes to F-3 are generally not permitted. The family member must depart Korea and apply through the consulate route above. Contact the 1345 Immigration Contact Center to ask whether a humanitarian exception applies.

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Documents required

Document requirements can change and vary by immigration office and country. Get the current, authoritative checklist from hikorea.go.kr or the relevant Korean consulate before gathering documents.

Getting the apostille takes time. In most countries, the apostille must be obtained from the national authority designated under the Hague Convention (often a foreign ministry or state-level court). Budget 2 to 6 weeks for this step, depending on the country.

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Work rights on an F-3

The F-3 visa does not include the right to work. This catches many families off guard.

A foreigner in Korea who wants to engage in activities outside their current residence status must obtain the Minister of Justice's Permission for Activities Outside Permitted Status (체류자격외활동허가) in advance, under Article 20 of the Immigration Control Act. So a spouse or adult child on an F-3 who wants to work must apply separately for this permit at the immigration office.

For spouses of E-1 through E-7 visa holders, a professional work pathway is reported to exist. Immigration advisory sources indicate it requires an employment contract from a Korean employer and TOPIK Level 2 certification, and allows work for up to one year at a time. These specifics are reported by advisory sources and not directly confirmed from a single primary government document; confirm the current requirements at immigration.go.kr or by calling the 1345 Immigration Contact Center before applying.

Working in Korea without the correct permit is a violation of Korean immigration law and can carry imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to ₩30 million, plus deportation and a re-entry ban.

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Health insurance (NHIS) for F-3 dependents

An F-3 holder can be enrolled in the National Health Insurance (국민건강보험, NHIS) as a dependent of the sponsor.

The standard rule for new foreign residents is a 6-month residency requirement before NHIS dependent enrollment, in effect since April 3, 2024. F-3 dependents of a sponsor who is already enrolled are exempt from this wait. The spouse and children under 19 can be added to the sponsor's insurance immediately upon arrival.

To add a dependent, the sponsor contacts their employer's HR department or the NHIS directly (nhis.or.kr). The dependent's ARC and family relationship documents are required.

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School enrollment for children on F-3

Children on an F-3 visa can enroll in Korean public elementary school (초등학교) and middle school (중학교) regardless of their parents' visa type. A foreign child's guardian applies to the local school and the school verifies residence (for example, with a lease agreement). There is no visa restriction on school access.

Contact the local district office of education (교육지원청) in your area for the specific enrollment procedure. Schools generally require the child's ARC, proof of address, and family relationship documentation.

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When a child turns 19

The F-3 applies to unmarried minors under 19. Once a child turns 19, the F-3 no longer covers them and they must either:

• Convert to a visa appropriate for their situation: D-2 (university student), D-10 (job-seeking after Korean university graduation), or E-7 (if they have a job offer), among others.
• Or depart Korea.

Start the conversion process well before the 19th birthday. A lapse in status, even a short one, can complicate future visa applications. The 1345 Immigration Contact Center can advise on which status is right for a specific situation.

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Practical tips

Start the apostille process early. Getting documents apostilled is the step that causes the most delays. Contact the relevant authority in your home country as soon as you decide to bring your family to Korea. Some countries take weeks; others have an expedited service.

File the VICN application well before the family member's intended arrival date. Processing at Korean immigration offices takes several weeks. Add the time for the family member to get the visa at the consulate. A total timeline of 2 to 3 months from VICN application to F-3 visa in hand is common.

Synchronize your renewals. The F-3 renews alongside the sponsor's visa. Set a calendar reminder 4 months before the sponsor's visa expires. Gather both sets of renewal documents at the same time and file simultaneously.

Verify income before your family arrives. If the stay will be a longer one, check the income threshold against your actual annual income before starting the application. A shortfall that you discover at the immigration counter will delay everything.

Call 1345 for your specific situation. The 1345 Immigration Contact Center offers multilingual support including English. For anything not covered in this guide, especially for unusual family structures or countries with limited Korean consular presence, a call to 1345 is faster than guessing.

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Useful contacts

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FAQ

Can my F-3 spouse work in Korea?

Not without a separate permit. The F-3 visa carries no default work rights. Your spouse must apply for a Permission for Activities Outside Permitted Status (체류자격외활동허가) at the immigration office. Spouses of E-1 to E-7 holders have a pathway to professional work, which advisory sources report requires an employment contract and TOPIK Level 2 certification. Confirm the current process at immigration.go.kr or call 1345 before applying.

Can E-9 or H-2 visa holders bring family on an F-3?

E-9 holders cannot. The E-9 (EPS non-professional work visa) is not on the eligible-sponsor list. H-2 holders are not on the list either, but if you hold an H-2, confirm your specific situation directly with the 1345 Immigration Contact Center before drawing any conclusions.

What documents do I need to apply for an F-3 visa?

The core set: sponsor's passport and ARC, family member's passport, apostilled marriage or birth certificate with certified Korean translation, Letter of Guarantee, proof of accommodation, and proof of sponsor income meeting the threshold. Get the current checklist from hikorea.go.kr or your nearest Korean consulate, as requirements can be updated.

Can a family member already in Korea change status to F-3?

Generally not. In-country status changes to F-3 are generally not permitted. The family member applies through a Korean consulate abroad. Narrow humanitarian exceptions exist; call 1345 to ask.

Is there an income requirement to sponsor F-3 dependents?

Yes, for longer stays. The 2026 figures are ₩25,195,752 annually for a 2-person household, ₩32,154,216 for 3, ₩38,968,428 for 4, and roughly ₩5,755,188 more per additional member. A shortfall under 10% can be offset by bank deposits. Confirm the current figures at hikorea.go.kr or your Korean consulate before applying.

When does the F-3 need to be renewed?

F-3 renewals are filed at the same time as the sponsor's visa renewal. You can no longer renew the F-3 on a separate schedule. Begin the renewal process at least 4 months before the sponsor's visa expires.

Can my child on an F-3 attend Korean public school?

Yes. Foreign children can enroll in Korean public elementary and middle school regardless of the parents' visa type, by applying to the local school with proof of residence. Contact your local district office of education (교육지원청) for enrollment paperwork.

What happens when my child on an F-3 turns 19?

The F-3 only covers unmarried minors under 19. At 19, your child must convert to their own visa status (D-2 for study, D-10 for job-seeking, E-7 for a job offer, or another applicable category) or depart Korea. Start the process several months before their birthday to avoid a status lapse.

@misc{seoulstart-f-3-dependent-visa-guide,
  author = {{Seoulstart Editorial Team}},
  title = {{The F-3 Dependent Visa: Bringing Your Family to Korea (2026)}},
  year = {2026},
  publisher = {Seoulstart},
  url = {https://seoulstart.com/guides/f-3-dependent-visa-guide},
  note = {Last updated June 21, 2026}
}