Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles

Our consulate will review the visa applications longer than 14 business days due to the Covid 19 pandemic and new guidance released from the Korean Immigration Office. Any exceptional case will be allowed for an official visit and or urgent family matter only. (i.e. funeral.) *Attending business meetings and ordinary family visits are not exceptional matters.

Overseas Korean (F-4) Visa

Eligible Applicants for an Overseas Korean (F-4) Visa

• You used to be a Korean national, but you lost your citizenship after acquiring a foreign nationality.
• Either of your direct ancestor was a Korean national and acquired a foreign nationality.

Required documents

• You used to be a Korean national : ① General Required Documents, ② Basic certificate or Family census register(deleted), ③ Copy of Naturalization certificate (We check original) If we can know exact date of your loss of Korean Nationality by Basic Certificate or Family census register(deleted), you don’t have to submit copy of Naturalization Certificate
• Either of your direct ancestor was a Korean national : ① General Required Documents, ② Basic certificate or Family census register(deleted) of your direct ancestor, ③ your (or your parents’) birth certificate
• Criminal history record check issued by FBI and apostille confirmation by US Department State office of Authentications Exemption object : ① 60 years of age or more, ② Children under 13 years of age, ③ Independence patriots and family of the deceased, ④ Special contributor
• Certificate of proficiency in Korean (one of the following documents) : ① TOPIK first grade or more, ② Sejong Hakdang elementary level 1B or more Exemption object : ① He or She had a korean nationalty in the past time, ② 60 years of age or more, ③ Children under 13 years of age, ④ He or She has been lived in Korea with the F-4 visa

A multiple entry visa valid for 5 years and the sojourn period for 2 years will be issued. (In case of not submitting certificate proficiency in Korea who should submit that certificate, the sojourn period will be only one year)

The Overseas Koreans(F-4) visa holder is not allowed to get a job in the field of a simple labor service or activities against virtuous public customs.

• Excluding the jobs mentioned above, everyone has an equal chance of getting a job and being engaged into employment activities.

Following applicants will not be able to obtain Overseas Korean visa.

• If Korean male(included dual citizen) gave up Korean nationality without performing Korean military duty, he will not be able to obtain Overseas Korean(F-4) visa until the year when he becomes 41 old. If Korean male loses Korean nationality before 2018.5.1., he may be able to obtain F-4 visa
• If you have violated the Korean Immigration Law in the past 3 years and have been charged with fines ￦7,000,000 altogether.
• If you have been sentenced to jail in the past 5 years.