Research (E-3) Visa — Eligibility, Period of Stay, and Documents for Application, Change, and Extension
Based on Ministry of Justice manual (2026-09-18) · Translated from the Korean original.
Research (E-3) is a status of stay for foreign nationals who intend to conduct natural science research, research and development in advanced industrial technology, or research in the social sciences, humanities, or arts and sports. Eligible applicants include those conducting research at the relevant research institutions and highly qualified science and technology personnel who have received an employment recommendation. Applicants must meet the degree and experience requirements.
At a glance
Who it is for
- Persons conducting research in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, or arts and sports, or research and development in advanced industrial technology, at certain research institutions established under law, government-funded research institutes, or similar institutions
- Scientists and engineers conducting research at research institutions under the Defense Acquisition Program Act (방위사업법)
- Scientists and engineers who have a contract with a corporate-affiliated research institute, university or junior college, industry-academic cooperation foundation, national or public research institution, or similar institution, and who conduct research in the natural sciences or advanced industrial technology
- Persons conducting research at science and engineering research institutions, such as government-funded, national or public, or corporate-affiliated research institutions, who have received an employment recommendation from the Minister of Science and ICT (과학기술정보통신부)
- Persons conducting research in the social sciences, humanities, or arts and sports at an educational institution or academic research institution at the level of a junior college or higher
- The general eligibility requirements are a doctoral degree, or a master’s degree and at least three years of experience. Persons expected to obtain a doctoral degree are also included.
- The master’s degree experience requirement may be waived for master’s degree holders who graduated from a Korean university, those who graduated from an overseas university meeting the specified world university ranking criteria, or authors of papers published in designated academic journals.
What you can do
- You may conduct natural science research or research and development in advanced industrial technology at an authorized research institution.
- You may conduct research in the social sciences, humanities, or arts and sports.
- Activities other than Research (E-3) may require separate permission. However, teaching at the same university or research institution is permitted without a separate permit for activities outside the status of stay for Professor (E-1).
- To teach at another university or research institution, you must obtain the consent of the head of your original workplace and a permit for activities outside your status of stay.
- Visiting researchers affiliated with an overseas institution may qualify for special treatment on the condition that they do not receive research compensation in Korea. Support limited to actual expenses, such as airfare and accommodation, is permitted.
Period of stay
The maximum period of stay that may be granted at one time is five years. Certain highly qualified science and technology personnel and researchers in the social sciences, humanities, or arts and sports may be granted a period of stay of up to five years, within the term of their employment contract. Visiting researchers are granted a period of stay equal to the research period plus one month.
Applications & documents
Application for Visa Issuance or Confirmation of Visa Issuance
- Visa Application Form (사증발급신청서) or Application for Confirmation of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정신청서)
- Passport and standard-size photograph
- Documents related to the establishment of the employing institution or documents proving the status of the research institution
- Degree certificate for a master’s degree or higher and certificate of work experience (if applicable)
- Employment contract or confirmation of anticipated appointment
- Employment recommendation letter (for eligible highly qualified science and technology personnel)
- Confirmation of expected graduation or degree award date, or documents proving authorship of an outstanding academic paper (if applicable)
A fee applies to visa issuance applications. A diplomatic mission or Immigration Office may request additional documents or make adjustments to some documents as part of its review. E-3 is eligible for electronic visa issuance.
Permission to Change Status of Stay
- Application form, passport, Alien Registration Card, and standard-size photograph
- Employment contract or confirmation of anticipated appointment
- Documents related to the establishment of the employing institution or documents proving the status of the research institution
- Degree certificate for a master’s degree or higher and certificate of work experience (if applicable)
- Consent from the head of the original workplace (if there is an original workplace)
- Confirmation of expected graduation or degree award date, or documents proving authorship of an outstanding academic paper (if applicable)
The fee for permission to change status of stay is KRW 100,000. Eligibility for a change depends on the applicant’s current status of stay, the research institution concerned, and other factors.
Permission to Extend Period of Stay
- Application form, passport, and Alien Registration Card
- Employment contract or confirmation of anticipated appointment
- Documents related to the establishment of the employing institution or documents proving the status of the research institution
- Documents proving place of residence
- Official invitation letter issued by the inviting research institution (if applicable)
- Documents proving the employment contract with the original affiliated institution or a bank balance certificate from a domestic or overseas bank (if applicable)
The fee for permission to extend the period of stay is KRW 60,000. As a rule, the period of stay is granted within the validity period of the passport.
Report of Change or Addition of Workplace
- Integrated Application Form (통합신청서), passport, and Alien Registration Card
- Business registration certificate, full certificate of registered corporate matters, or documents proving the status of the research institution for the institution being added or changed to
- Consent from the head of the original workplace
- Employment contract or confirmation of anticipated appointment
A report must be submitted to the competent Immigration Office (출입국·외국인관서) within 15 days of the event giving rise to the reporting obligation. Consent from the head of the original workplace may be waived in cases such as having worked until the end of the contract period. There is no reporting fee.
Alien Registration
- Application form, original passport, and standard-size photograph
- Business registration certificate
- Documents proving place of residence
The fee for issuance of an Alien Registration Card is KRW 35,000.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can I apply for E-3 with only a master’s degree?
As a rule, master’s degree holders need at least three years of related experience. The experience requirement may be waived for master’s degree holders who graduated from a Korean university, those who graduated from an outstanding overseas university meeting the specified ranking criteria, and authors of papers published in designated academic journals.
Q. Can applicants who are expected to obtain a doctoral degree also apply?
Applicants who are expected to obtain a doctoral degree are also eligible. If they provide documents proving that the degree award is confirmed, conditional approval may be granted for a stay of up to six months.
Q. What is the maximum period of stay for E-3?
The maximum period of stay that may be granted at one time is five years. The actual period of stay may vary depending on the applicable criteria, the employment contract period, and other factors.
Q. Can visiting researchers also receive E-3?
A person affiliated with an overseas institution may qualify for special treatment if they conduct research at the invitation of a domestic research institution and do not receive research compensation in Korea. The official invitation letter must specify the research period and field.
Q. Can I teach at the same research institution on E-3?
Teaching at the same university or research institution is permitted without a separate permit for activities outside the status of stay for Professor (E-1). However, if the teaching exceeds the original working hours or remuneration, the person may be advised to change their status of stay.
Q. Can I teach at another university or research institution?
You must obtain the consent of the head of your original workplace and a permit for activities outside your status of stay. The procedure differs from teaching at the same institution.
Q. When must I report a change or addition of workplace?
If you are registered as a foreign national and staying in Korea on Research (E-3), and you meet the eligibility requirements for the new workplace, you must report the change or addition within 15 days of the event giving rise to the reporting obligation. You may be exempt from reporting if you were dismissed or resigned early for reasons attributable to you and could not obtain the original employer’s consent.
Q. Can I apply for an E-3 visa online?
E-3 is eligible for electronic visa issuance. The foreign national or the person who intends to invite them may apply. Check the stated procedures for detailed application steps and fee payment methods.
Watch out for
- Visa issuance, change of status, or extension of the period of stay may be restricted if the applicant’s field of study differs from their actual field of work, or if they are considered to be used for work at an excessively low wage despite meeting the formal requirements.
- A report of a change or addition of workplace must be submitted within 15 days of the event giving rise to the obligation. A person who is not subject to the reporting requirement may be treated as being in violation if they work at a new workplace without permission.
- Foreign nationals with a status of stay that permits employment must report their occupation and annual income when applying for alien registration and various stay permits. They must report any change in occupation.
- As a rule, the period of stay is granted within the validity period of the passport.
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.