Short-Term Employment (C-4) Visa — Eligibility, Period of Stay, Required Documents, and Change of Workplace
Based on Ministry of Justice manual (2026-09-18) · Translated from the Korean original.
Short-Term Employment (C-4) is a status of sojourn for foreign nationals who intend to engage in short-term work in Korea for profit. It includes seasonal work (C-4-1~4) and activities other than seasonal work (C-4-5), and the eligibility requirements and documents differ depending on the type of activity.
At a glance
Who it is for
- People seeking to work in crop cultivation and harvesting, and related primary processing, or in primary processing of fishery products, in fields recognized by the Minister of Justice (법무부장관) (C-4-1~4)
- People seeking to engage in short-term, profit-making activities such as temporary performances or advertising and fashion modeling (C-4-5)
- People seeking to give short-term lectures or talks under a contract that provides remuneration
- People seeking to engage in research or technical guidance activities
- People dispatched under a service, purchase, or business contract, among others, to perform substantive work at an institution in Korea
- People seeking to work in IT, biotechnology, nanotechnology, new materials, transportation machinery, digital electronics, environment and energy, or technology management
- People seeking to teach conversational English for 90 days or less at an English camp or similar venue
- People receiving remuneration or an allowance to participate in athletic competitions, Go matches, singing contests, or similar events, or participating in exhibitions that generate income
What you can do
- Seasonal workers (C-4-1~4) engage in work in the agricultural or fishery sectors specified in the manual.
- Short-term employment other than seasonal work (C-4-5) covers short-term, profit-making activities such as temporary performances, advertising and fashion modeling, lectures and talks, and research and technical guidance.
- Unskilled work occupations are not eligible for C-4-5.
- Seasonal workers cannot add a workplace. A local government official must accompany them when changing workplaces.
- C-4-5 holders may apply for permission to change or add a workplace. There is no limit on the number of workplaces that may be added.
Period of stay
The maximum period of stay granted at one time is 90 days. The manual states that, in principle, a 90-day visa is issued and that the period of stay may not exceed 90 days from the date of entry.
Applications & documents
Visa Issuance — Short-Term Employment Other Than Seasonal Work (C-4-5)
- Application for Visa Issuance (사증발급신청서)
- Passport and one standard-size photograph
- Employment contract
- Employment recommendation from the head of the competent administrative agency, a letter of cooperation, or documents demonstrating the need for the employment
- Supporting documents required for the relevant field of activity
A visa fee is required. The head of the overseas diplomatic mission (재외공관장) may add or omit some documents when reviewing the purpose of entry, the authenticity of the invitation, and other matters.
Application for a Certificate of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서) — Seasonal Work (C-4-1~4)
- Standard Employment Contract (표준근로계약서)
- Evidence of efforts to recruit Korean nationals
- Copy of the seasonal worker’s passport
- Where applicable, documents proving work history in agriculture or fisheries, or family relationships
- Accommodation Facilities Form (숙소시설표)
- Results of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (업무협약) conclusion, and similar documents
The head of the local government applies through the Visa Portal (비자포털). The manual states that it takes approximately 10 days from the application date to the issuance of the Certificate of Visa Issuance.
Permission to Change or Add a Workplace — C-4-5
- Application Form (신청서; Form No. 34 of the Attached Forms)
- Original passport
- Employment contract
- Documents related to the establishment of the company
- Employment recommendation (where applicable)
- Supporting documents for the relevant field
Apply at an Immigration Office, Branch Office, or Field Office (청·사무소·출장소). The application fee is KRW 120,000. In principle, an employment recommendation from the head of the competent ministry is not required when changing workplaces; however, it must be submitted for occupations for which an employment recommendation is mandatory.
Change of Status of Sojourn — Certain C-4-5 Activities
- Application
- Original passport
- Explanatory documents
- Activity plan
Permission may be granted at the discretion of an Immigration Office, Branch Office, or Field Office only in the cases specified in the manual, such as tryouts for athletes, musicians, dancers, and others; participation in international competitions; or lectures by prominent figures. If permission is granted, the period of stay is calculated from the date of entry.
Permission to Extend the Period of Stay
- Application Form (Form No. 34 of the Attached Forms)
- Original passport
- Documents explaining the need to extend the period of stay in connection with short-term employment
- Employment contract, service contract, or similar document
- Copy of the business registration certificate, or similar document
The application fee is KRW 60,000. An extension for the purpose of departure may be granted only if the person cannot depart because no vessel or other means of departure is available, or for another unavoidable reason.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How long can I stay in Korea on a C-4 visa?
The maximum period of stay that may be granted at one time is 90 days. The manual states that the period may not exceed 90 days from the date of entry.
Q. Do I need a C-4 visa for a lecture that is unpaid?
The manual states that lectures or talks without remuneration fall under Short-Term Visit (C-3). However, for a one-time lecture, talk, or consultation invited for a public-interest purpose, holders of C-3, B-1, or B-2 status may also engage in the activity instead of obtaining C-4-5, provided that all specified conditions are met.
Q. Under what conditions is C-4-5 not required for a public-interest lecture?
The invitation must be for academic or public-interest purposes and come from a nonprofit organization, such as the central or local government, a university, or a government-funded institution. No more than five institutions may be involved during the period of stay, and the period of lectures, talks, or consultations may not exceed seven days during the period of stay.
Q. Can I do unskilled work on a C-4-5 visa?
No. The manual expressly states that unskilled work occupations are not eligible for C-4-5.
Q. Can seasonal workers change their workplace?
They cannot add a workplace. A workplace may be changed if there is a specified reason, and a local government official must accompany them.
Q. Can a C-4-5 holder add a workplace?
They may apply for permission to add a workplace, and there is no limit on the number of additions. The required documents include an application, the original passport, an employment contract, and documents related to the establishment of the company.
Q. Can I change my status of sojourn to C-4 after entering Korea?
The manual states that permission to change status may be granted in certain cases, such as for participants in tryouts or international competitions, or for lectures by prominent figures. Supporting documents and an activity plan must be submitted, and whether to grant permission is at the discretion of an Immigration Office, Branch Office, or Field Office.
Q. Can I extend my period of stay on a C-4 visa?
You may apply by submitting documents explaining the need to extend your period of stay. However, the manual states that, in principle, the period may not exceed 90 days from the date of entry; an extension for the purpose of departure is permitted only when there is an unavoidable reason.
Watch out for
- C-4-1~4 and C-4-5 have different eligible activities and rules for changing workplaces.
- For a seasonal work Certificate of Visa Issuance, apply for the type that matches the recommender and the permitted field. The number of workdays stated in the Standard Employment Contract must also match the period of stay on the visa.
- As a rule, nationals of certain countries must obtain a visa based on a Certificate of Visa Issuance issued by the Minister of Justice or the head of an Immigration and Foreigner Office (출입국·외국인관서장). If they do not have a certificate, the head of the overseas diplomatic mission may request visa issuance approval and issue the visa after receiving approval from the Minister of Justice.
- The required supporting documents may differ depending on the specific activity, and the head of the overseas diplomatic mission may add or omit some documents if necessary for the review.
Source
Compiled by AI from the Ministry of Justice "Visa Issuance Guide Manual" and "Residence Guide Manual" (HiKorea notice, in Korean). hikorea.go.kr
This is general guidance; the immigration office makes the final decision. Before applying, check the latest rules on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.