How to Change Your Visa Status in Korea: Steps & Required Documents (Foreigner Guide 2026)

Instead of leaving Korea and getting a brand-new visa, there's a system that lets you change the type of visa itself while staying in the country — that's the Change of Status of Stay. Common pathways include moving from study (D-2) to work (E-7), from job-seeking (D-10) to work, or, for long-term residents, moving to residence (F-2).

This is different from an "extension of period of stay," which only pushes back the expiration date of the same visa.

Each visa type has its own requirements for education, work experience, income, and points, along with its own set of documents — and the rules get revised every year. Apply incorrectly and you may waste your fee and time, or drag out the review. What follows is the general flow and the common documents; for the exact requirements in your case, be sure to check HiKorea and ☎1345.

What "Change of Status" Means (vs. Extension of Stay)

First, let's separate two things that are easy to mix up.

This article covers the second case — changing the status itself. It also assumes a "domestic change" for a registered foreigner who holds an Alien Registration Card (ARC) (this is a different process from getting a visa issued at an overseas mission).

3 Things to Check Before You Apply

1. Your current status of stay must be valid — Your visa needs to be active at the time you apply for the change. If your period of stay has already passed, you're considered to be overstaying (staying illegally), which in principle makes a change application difficult. Handle it with time to spare before it expires.
2. You must meet the requirements of the status you're switching to — Standards vary by visa: education, work experience, income, employment contract, Korean-language scores, and so on.
3. Confirm the pathway is one that's allowed — Some conversions can't be done domestically. For example, a domestic change to D-10 (job-seeking) from certain visas may be restricted, or a change from E-9 or E-10 to E-7 is in principle restricted (though exceptions exist, such as the skilled-worker E-7-4) (official confirmation needed).

Common Required Documents

These are the basic documents required in almost all cases, regardless of visa type.

• Integrated application (report) form — Form No. 34 attached to the Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Act. Get it from HiKorea or the immigration office, or fill it out online
• Passport (original and copy)
• Alien Registration Card (ARC), original
• Standard-spec photo (passport-style)
• Fee (see the table below)
• Proof of residence (address) — lease agreement, dormitory certificate, etc.

On top of this, you'll add documents specific to the visa you're switching to. Typical examples include the following.

Fees & Processing Time

Fees vary by the type of status. The figures below are the ranges generally reported; be sure to confirm the exact amount on HiKorea at the time you apply.

For reference, the separate service of "granting of status of stay" (newly receiving a status domestically without a visa) is lower at ₩40,000 for F-6 — don't confuse it with a change permit.

• Processing time: On Gov24, it's listed as undetermined (usually takes about 3 weeks to 3 months). It varies widely by visa type, each office's workload, and requests for supplementary documents, so applying at least 1–2 months before your expiration date is safest.
• When your status changes, a new ARC is issued, so making the card takes a little extra time.

Both the fees and processing times are subject to change, so treat the numbers above as a reference.

The Application Process (HiKorea Online Flow)

For registered foreigners, a change-of-status permit can, in many cases, be applied for as an e-civil-service request (though a visit may be required depending on your status and situation).

1. Go to HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) → sign up and log in
2. Select the menu: e-Civil Service → Application for Change of Status of Stay Permit
3. Fill out the online application — enter your personal details and the status you want to change to
4. Upload scanned documents — passport, contract, certificates, etc.
5. Pay the fee (electronic payment)
6. Book an immigration office visit if needed — choose a visit-reservation slot on HiKorea. When you go, bring your application form, passport, ARC, and the full set of original documents plus copies
7. Review → check the result — if a supplementary request comes in, just submit the additional documents

Frequently Used Change Pathways (Illustrative Examples)

The following are just pathways that come up often; whether they apply to you needs official confirmation.

• D-2 (study) → D-10 (job-seeking): A switch for job-seeking activities after graduation. As of 2025-10, the maximum period of stay for D-10 is reported to have been extended from 2 years to 3 years.
• D-10 → E-7 (specific activities/professional): Once a job and employment contract are confirmed, you switch to a work visa.
• E-7 → F-2 (residence, points-based F-2-7): Possible if you meet the points requirements for income, assets, Korean ability, etc. It's generally reported to require the previous year's income and assets held in your own name, plus a certain level of KIIP or TOPIK (varies by year, official confirmation essential).
• F-2 → F-5 (permanent residence): You apply for permanent residence after long-term, stable residence.

The points system and income standards are adjusted every year. For the exact cutoffs, check the latest figures on HiKorea or 1345.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Do I have to leave and re-enter Korea to change my visa? A. In most cases you can handle it domestically with a change-of-status permit, without leaving the country. However, some conversions are restricted for domestic change and may require a visa issued at an overseas mission. First check whether your pathway can be changed domestically.

Q2. My current visa is about to expire — can I still apply for a change? A. You must apply while your visa is still valid and unexpired. Once it has expired, you're treated as overstaying, which makes a change difficult. It's safest to handle it with a few weeks to spare before expiration.

Q3. Can I apply even if my Korean isn't good? A. Some HiKorea screens and guidance support multiple languages, and the Immigration Contact Center 1345 offers multilingual consultation in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and more. That said, some statuses, such as residence (F-2), may require Korean ability (KIIP or TOPIK).

Q4. Can I work or travel in Korea while it's being processed? A. The scope of stay and activities you're allowed is based on the status you currently hold. Activities under the new status (e.g., employment) can only be done after the permit is granted. Check the scope of activities during the review with 1345.

Q5. What happens if my documents are incomplete? A. The immigration office will send a supplementary request. You just submit the additional documents within the deadline. Getting a checklist from the start and preparing everything completely can shorten the processing time.

When Getting Around and Paying Feels Overwhelming During Visa Procedures

The change-of-status process involves a lot of getting around — visits to the immigration office, trips to document-issuing agencies, and more. But before your new ARC arrives, or during the period when you don't yet have a Korean phone or bank account, it's common to get stuck on transit apps and ticket bookings.

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