Status of stay to be granted to foreign children staying in Korea for

a long term to guarantee their right to education (25.4.1. ~ ’28.3.31.)

□ Application Period and Eligibility

❐ Application Period

❍ From ’25. 4. 1. to ’28. 3. 31.

❐ Eligibility

① ▴Born in Korea or entered Korea as an infant or a young child (before the age of six)

▴Have lived in Korea for at least six years업

▴On the date of application, applicant is attending either an elementary, middle or high school in Korea or have graduated from a high school in Korea.

② ▴Entered Korea at the age of six or older

▴ Have lived in Korea for at least seven years

▴On the date of application, applicant is attending either an elementary, middle or high school in Korea or have graduated from a high school in Korea.

□ Action Plans for Applicants

❐ Action Plan for Children

① If a child is currently attending an elementary, middle, or high school

- Grants visa for studying (D-4) until high school graduation

② If a child has graduated from highschool

- Will be able to change visa if he/she meets condition for studying or working conditions

- Those who are not eligible for visa change for studying or working, he/she will be granted or changed to G-1 visa

③ If a child failed to meet conditions maintaining their visa (e.g. expelled from school, committed crime)

- will result in visa cancellation or refusal of visa extension in accordance with the Immigration Act

❐ Action Plan for Minor Brothers and Sisters of a Child

❍ If an eligible child is granted a visa, brothers and sisters of the child will be granted G-1 visa to guarantee stable family life.

❐ Action Plan for Child’s Parents

❍	Action Plan

- As a general rule, parents of eligible children are supposed to leave Korea. Considering that their child is a minor, however, they will be permitted to temporarily stay in Korea to raise their child until the child graduates from high school or becomes an adult.

- However, parent who is not protecting/raising children in reality will be excluded from eligibility.

① Paying penalty for parents breaking law

- When applying for visa issuance for their child, parents will be notified about their obligation to pay fine for their illegal status of stay.

* if parentls lack ability to pay fine or if there is a reason behind, they may receive additional reduction

- After paying the fine, parents can stay in Korea temporarily on a G-1 visa until their child graduates from high school. In the meantime, they will also be allowed to engage in activities beyond their visa status to raise their child.

② Temporary stay and Complete Departure

- If a child graduated from highschool or becomes an adult, he/she must leave Korea on his/her own. If he/she stays in Korea illegally without leaving, he/she will be deported and restricted from re-entry

③ Increase Parental Responsibility

- Impose additional condition such as KIIP class attendance* to make sure parents neglect their duty for raising and educating their child

* KIIP(Ministry of Justice), Education on raising child (related ministry)

□ Required Documents and Inquiries

❍ Applications and required documents: Please visit www.immigration.go.kr (Korea Immigration service) or www.hikorea.go.kr (HiKorea)

❍ Inquiries : please visit application desk at immigration office that has jurisdiction over your residential address or call Immigration Information Center under Ministry of Justice (1345 without area code, provides translation)

※ Operating Hours: 09:00~22:00 (Excluding weekends and holidays). After 18:00, only Korean/English/Chinese consultations are available.