1. Overview

◦ Eligible Persons

Overseas Koreans of foreign nationality (Article 3 of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans):

• 1.A person who previously held the nationality of the Republic of Korea (including those who emigrated abroad before the establishment of the Government of the Republic of Korea) and subsequently acquired foreign nationality;
  

• 2.A direct lineal descendant of a person described in (1) who has acquired foreign nationality.

◦ Visa Issuance at the Discretion of the Consul

A multiple-entry visa valid for 5 years with a stay period of up to 2 years.

※ However, if an applicant who is required to submit Korean language proficiency documentation fails to do so, a multiple-entry visa with a stay period of up to 1 year will be issued.

2. Required Documents

Same requirements for F-4-11[principal applicant] and F-4-12[direct descendant])

2-1. Basic Documents

• ○Visa application form (with photo attached)

• ○U.S. passport

• ○Fee: $45 (cash and card accepted)

2-2. Documents by Category and Additional Documents

① A person who previously held Korean nationality and acquired foreign nationality

• ○One copy of Family Relations Certificate and one copy of Basic Certificate (or Removed Family Census Register), issued within the past 3 months

  ※ If nationality loss has not been reported, the visa application may be submitted after filing the nationality loss report and presenting the receipt

• ○Original and copy of U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (original will be returned after verification)

  ※ For males, additional documentation may be required to prove they are not subject to visa issuance restrictions related to military service

② A direct lineal descendant of a person described in (1) who acquired foreign nationality

• ○Basic Certificate (or Removed Family Census Register) of the direct ancestor, issued within the past 3 months

  ※ If nationality loss has not been reported, the visa application may be submitted after filing the nationality loss report and presenting the receipt

• ○Documents proving the direct lineal relationship (e.g., birth certificate)

③ If the English name on the citizenship certificate differs from the name on the Korean basic/family records

• ○One copy of Petition for Name Change must be submitted

④ F-4-12 visa applicants (direct descendants) must submit proof of Korean language proficiency (one of the following):

• ○TOPIK(https://www.topik.go.kr) Level 1 or higher

• ○Sejong Institute completion certificate for Beginner 1B course or higher (https://www.ksif.or.kr/index.do)
  

• ○Social Integration Program pre-evaluation score report (21 points or higher)
  

• ○Social Integration Program completion certificate (Level 1 or higher)
  
  

※ Exemptions from Korean language requirement:

• 1.A person who previously held Korean nationality

• 2.A person aged 13 or younger

• 3.A person aged 60 or older

• 4.A person who holds an Overseas Korean (F-4) visa and has resided in Korea for 3 years or longer

⑤ Overseas Criminal Background Check with Apostille

• ○For the United States: FBI Criminal Background Check with Apostille (issued within 6 months of the visa application date only)

• ○If the applicant resided in another country for 6 months or more, a criminal background certificate from that country must also be submitted

  The certificate must receive Apostille certification or consular legalization

  ※ If a Canadian citizen who has resided in the U.S. for more than 6 months applies for an Overseas Korean (F-4) visa, both U.S. (FBI) and Canadian (RCMP) criminal background checks must be submitted

• ○Even if the applicant previously held an F-4 visa and a Korean residence card, if they resided overseas for more than 6 months, an Apostilled FBI criminal background check must be submitted when renewing the residence card or reapplying for the F-4 visa

※ Exemptions from overseas criminal background check:

• 1.Persons aged 13 or younger

• 2.Persons aged 60 or older

• 3.National merit recipients (including independence patriots) and their bereaved families

• 4.Overseas Koreans recognized for special contributions (promotion of national interest), etc.

● Information on FBI Criminal Background Check

• ○For detailed inquiries regarding FBI background checks and Apostille procedures, contact the relevant U.S. government agencies directly

• ○Apply through FBI Criminal Background Checks and complete fingerprinting at USPS (appointment required)

• ○Apostille (U.S. Department of State authentication) after obtaining the FBI background check:

  Federal documents such as FBI clearances are authenticated by the U.S. Authentications Office

  Phone: 202-485-8000
  Mailing Address:
  U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications
  44132 Mercure Cir., PO Box 1206
  Sterling, VA 20166-1206

3. Important Notes

3-1. Restrictions on Issuance of Overseas Korean Visa for Males Related to Military Service < Before April 31, 2018 (prior to amended law) >

• 1.If a dual national by birth properly reported renunciation of Korean nationality and it is reflected in the Basic Certificate → Visa issuance allowed

• 2.If Korean nationality was lost due to acquiring foreign nationality:

• ○If foreign nationality was acquired before January 1 of the year the applicant turned 18 → Visa issuance allowed

• ○If foreign nationality was acquired after January 1 of the year the applicant turned 18:

  If, at the time of visa application, one or both parents had resided abroad as their primary place of residence for at least 6 months per year → Visa issuance allowed

  ⇨ If not applicable → Visa issuance restricted

< On or After May 1, 2018 (after amended law) >

• 1.If nationality renunciation was accepted and the nationality loss date on the Basic Certificate is before May 1, 2018, or the U.S. citizenship acquisition date is before May 1, 2018 → Processed under previous standards

• 2.If nationality loss date is on or after May 1, 2018 (including May 1, 2018), or U.S. citizenship acquisition date is on or after May 1, 2018 → Visa issuance restricted until December 31 of the year the applicant turns 40 (Eligible beginning January 1 of the year the applicant turns 41)

3-2. Exceptions

If a person who renounced or lost nationality completed active duty, supplementary service, or was deemed to have completed service, was assigned to wartime labor service, or provides documentation of military exemption (e.g., Military Service Certificate), a visa may be issued even before December 31 of the year they turn 40.

3-3. Males aged 18 - 40 subject to military service

Must submit documentation of the father’s or mother’s U.S. immigration status:

• ○U.S. citizen parent: valid U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, name change document, or Notice of Loss of Nationality (or Korean Basic Certificate / Removed Register issued within 3 months showing nationality loss) — original and copy

• ○Korean national parent (to verify 6+ months residence abroad within 1 year): valid Korean passport and permanent resident card — original and copy

4. Spouse – Visiting & Cohabitation (F-3-19)

The spouse of a person who has obtained F-4 (Overseas Korean) status and holds a Korean residence card may be issued a multiple-entry Visiting & Cohabitation (F-1-9) visa valid for 1 year.

Required documents:

• ■Visa application form (with photo attached)

• ■Passport

• ■Fee

• ■F-4-11 visa or Korean residence card of the F-4 holder

• ■Proof of family relationship (Marriage Certificate or Marriage License)

Visa issuance:

• ■Multiple-entry Visiting & Cohabitation visa valid for 1 year.

⏱ Visa Processing Time

Our consulate reviews visa applications within 14 business days.
Exceptions are only granted for official visits or urgent family matters (e.g., funerals).

Business meetings and ordinary family visits are not considered exceptional cases.