Simple & Easy Law Info

Overseas Koreans

Status of Sojourn as an Overseas Korean

What should I do to stay in Korea, the homeland of my grandfather?

A former Korean national who acquired a foreign nationality or their linear descendants who acquired a foreign nationality can file an application for the status of sojourn as an overseas Korean.

This is not mandatory. However, if overseas Koreans who entered Korea with F-4 visa failed to report their domestic place of residence, they shall file for foreigner registration within 90 days from the date of his/her entry into Korea.

A foreign nationality Korean who has been granted the status of sojourn as an overseas Korean shall not be restricted from carrying out activities, other than the following:

The period of sojourn permitted for each case shall be up to three years at the longest. A permit for extension of the period of sojourn may be granted to a foreign nationality Korean who is going to stay continuously in Korea exceeding the period of sojourn.

Overseas Koreans with foreign nationality aged 18 or more residing in China or the Commonwealth of Independent States(CIS) areas who meet certain requirements are entitled to apply for H-2 visa which guarantees free enter or leave and job-seeking activities.

The period of sojourn is within three years of entry into Korea. If the Ministry of Employment and Labor grants him/her an extension of employment period, the period of sojourn can be up to four years and 10 months from the date of arrival.

Overseas Koreans are foreign nationals, so they need to have a required status of sojourn to study or get training in Korea.

There are various options, such as returning to his/her home country, getting a job or entering a higher education institution like graduate school in Korea.
In case of getting a job or going to higher education institution, the status of sojourn should be changed correspondingly.

For detailed legal information, please refer to Overseas Koreans in easylaw.go.kr