Korea F-1 Visiting & Family Visa Guide (2026)
The F-1 is Korea's "visiting / joining family" visa — the status used when the reason you want to stay is a person, not a job or a course. It covers cases like living with relatives, parents supporting a child, family of a marriage migrant helping with childcare, and (in narrow, strictly-gated cases) foreign domestic helpers. The single most misunderstood point: F-1 does not let you work by default. This page explains who can invite you, the work rule, dependents, and the F-1-22 helper route — honestly, with the official sources that decide each case.
Who the F-1 visa is for
The F-1 (visiting / joining family) is for people whose reason to stay in Korea is family or humanitarian rather than work or study. It is a broad category split into many sub-codes, so the gates depend on your exact situation. The common cases below are widely reported, but immigration sets the exact rules.
1. A qualifying relationship or purpose
2. An inviter / sponsor who meets the conditions
3. Proof of the relationship and support
4. No work by default
The work rule, dependents & the F-1-22 helper route
Three points trip people up most often. The table summarizes them — all set officially and subject to change.
| Topic | What to know (verify officially) |
|---|---|
| Working | Not allowed by default. You must apply separately for a part-time / activity-outside-status permit, with no guarantee of approval. |
| Dependents | In some cases a child or family member can be registered as a dependent if the inviter meets insurance/income/residence conditions. Rules vary by sub-category. |
| F-1-22 (domestic helper) | Only sponsors meeting strict conditions (e.g. certain high-income professionals or qualifying investors, often with a young child and a high income threshold) may sponsor a foreign helper. Thresholds are set officially. |
The eligible relationships, sponsor conditions, work-permit rules, and F-1-22 thresholds are set officially and change. Confirm the current rules for your exact case on HiKorea, via 1345, and with your Korean embassy before relying on them.
Registration, duration & extending
If you stay over 90 days on an F-1, you generally must register and obtain a Residence Card (ARC) through HiKorea. The period of stay depends on your sub-category and the inviter's situation, and can usually be extended through HiKorea if the conditions still hold — see our visa extension guide. If your situation changes (for example you take a job), you may need a change of visa status. Confirm the current steps officially.
Frequently asked questions
What is the F-1 visa for?
A "visiting / joining family" status for staying in Korea for family or humanitarian reasons — living with relatives, supporting family, or (in narrow cases) acting as a domestic helper. Sub-categories are set officially.
Can I work on an F-1?
Not by default. You must apply separately for a part-time / activity-outside-status permit, with no guarantee of approval. Working without it can jeopardize your status. Confirm the rules on HiKorea.
Who can invite or sponsor me?
Common cases include relatives of certain visa holders, subject to relationship, income/asset, and insurance conditions. The exact eligible relationships and sponsor rules are set officially — verify your case.
What is the F-1-22 domestic helper route?
The sub-code for foreign domestic helpers. Only sponsors meeting strict conditions (e.g. certain high-income professionals or qualifying investors with a young child) may sponsor one. Thresholds are set officially.
How long can I stay?
It depends on your sub-category and the inviter's situation, and can usually be extended through HiKorea if conditions continue. There's no single fixed duration. Confirm your period of stay officially.