Communication - Presse

[Immigration Update] Change of Stay Status to Dependent (F-3) Now Restricted in Korea

In March 2025, the Korean Ministry of Justice announced a revision of its stay guidelines, clarifying that changing visa status to Dependent (F-3) from within Korea is now, as a rule, not permitted.

This means that accompanying family members of foreign investors or employees holding a Business Investment (D-8) visa must obtain the Dependent (F-3) visa from abroad before entering Korea. The revised guidelines officially came into effect on April 1, 2025.

An exception is allowed only in rare and objectively verifiable cases, such as pregnancy, childbirth, or serious illness, which must be documented by a medical certificate. In such cases, individuals who entered Korea under a visa waiver (B-1), transit visa (B-2), or short-term visa may exceptionally be allowed to change their status.

Several foreign-invested companies have reported difficulties when family members entered visa-free and attempted to switch to F-3 status in Korea, only to be required to return to their home country for reissuance.

We strongly encourage the French business community to inform employees and families of this regulation to prevent complications during relocation to Korea.

For further details, please refer to the Ombudsman official website or contact the French Embassy in South Korea if you require assistance.