Last reviewed: October 18, 2026
Quick answer
- Korean language proof for the F-4 Overseas Korean visa is not a pass/fail test. It decides how long a stay you get.
- With proof (or an exemption): a 2-year multiple-entry visa from the embassy, and up to 3 years for each stay permit in Korea. Without proof: 1 year (2 years in Korea if you have registered for and are taking KIIP classes).
- Accepted proof: TOPIK level 1+, KIIP pre-assessment 21+ points or KIIP level 1 completed, a King Sejong Institute certificate (Beginner 1B or higher), or a Korean Education Center course certificate (level 2+).
- Exempt: former Korean nationals, people aged 60+ or 13 and under, graduates of a Korean school or university, and people who already submitted proof for another status.
- Since February 12, 2026, ethnic Koreans from China and CIS countries also receive F-4, and new H-2 visas are no longer issued.
Who can get F-4
F-4 is for foreign nationals of Korean descent:
- F-4-41: a person who held Korean nationality by birth (including those who emigrated before the Korean government was founded) and later acquired a foreign nationality;
- F-4-42: a lineal descendant of such a person who holds a foreign nationality, for example the child or grandchild of a Korean emigrant.
You prove your descent with documents such as Korean family relation certificates, removed family registers, or foreign records (birth certificates, household registers) that link you to a parent or grandparent who was Korean.
Accepted Korean language proof
| Proof | Minimum | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| TOPIK score report | Level 1 or higher | 2 years from the result date |
| KIIP pre-assessment score sheet | 21 points or more | 2 years from the result date |
| KIIP education certificate | Level 1 completed or higher | No expiry stated |
| King Sejong Institute completion certificate | Beginner 1B course or higher | No expiry stated |
| Korean Education Center (Ministry of Education, abroad) course certificate | Level 2 or higher | No expiry stated |
Source: MOJ stay manual, F-4 Attachment 2 (revised August 7, 2026). The standard applies to F-4 visa applications at embassies and to residence reports, status changes and extensions in Korea. It does not apply to permanent residence (F-5).
TOPIK level 1 is the lowest TOPIK I result. If you are new to Korean, compare the tests in TOPIK vs EPS-TOPIK. In Korea, the KIIP route is often easier to fit around work: see how to register for KIIP.
What happens with and without proof
| Stage | With proof or exemption | Without proof |
|---|---|---|
| F-4 visa at an embassy | Multiple-entry visa with a 2-year stay | Multiple-entry visa with a 1-year stay |
| In Korea (residence report, change of status, extension) | Up to 3 years | 1 year; 2 years if you have registered for and are taking KIIP classes |
So you can still get F-4 without Korean, but you will have to extend every year until you submit proof.
Who is exempt
- people who already submitted Korean proof (or were exempt) under another status;
- former Korean nationals;
- people aged 60 or older;
- people who graduated from a Korean elementary school or higher (including recognised equivalency exams), or from a Korean university or college;
- children aged 13 or younger;
- people who received an F-4 visa before September 2, 2019, or who are staying on F-4, do not need proof when extending.
King Sejong Institute certificates
The manual accepts a King Sejong Institute certificate for Beginner 1B or higher. A 1A certificate alone does not meet the standard.
Each status has its own standard. For example, the F-6 marriage visa asks for King Sejong Beginner 1A + 1B for its communication requirement.
The 2026 H-2 to F-4 merger
- From February 12, 2026, the two statuses for ethnic Koreans (H-2 Visit & Employment and F-4) were merged into F-4. Ethnic Koreans from China and CIS countries now receive F-4 under the same standards as other countries.
- New H-2 visas are no longer issued. People who already received an H-2 visa can still register and get up to 3 years (1 year without Korean proof), with limited further extensions for work.
- Former H-2 holders who change to F-4 and want to keep working at the same simple-labour workplace they reported under H-2 can apply for permission for activities outside their status.
- The 5-year multiple-entry C-3-8 visa for visits (no work allowed) continues.
Other F-4 requirements
- Overseas criminal record certificate from your country of nationality, issued within 6 months and apostilled or consular-certified. Serious crimes can block F-4 for 5 to 7 years or more.
- Proof of Korean descent (see above).
- Early adaptation program: required before a residence report or change to F-4 in Korea, with exemptions (for example ages 6 and under or 65 and over, people who have lived in Korea 3+ years on a long-term status, and KIIP level 1+ participants).
- Residence report within 90 days of entry if you stay longer than 90 days. F-4 holders file a domestic residence report (거소신고) instead of alien registration.
- TB certificate for in-country changes, and proof of address.
Book your visit on HiKorea; see our HiKorea guide.
Working on F-4
F-4 holders can work in most jobs except:
- simple labour (the jobs listed in the Ministry of Justice notice on F-4 work restrictions);
- work against public order, such as gambling-related businesses;
- other work restricted for the public interest or the domestic job market.
Jobs that need a Korean licence (for example in medicine or law) still require that licence. After 2 years on F-4, you can apply for permanent residence (F-5) if you meet the income and other conditions; see our GNI guide for the income benchmark. If you are moving to Korea for work, read how income tax works for foreigners too.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to speak Korean to get an F-4 visa?
No. Korean proof is not a condition for issuance, but without it you receive a 1-year stay instead of 2 years (visa) or up to 3 years (stay permits in Korea).
Is TOPIK level 1 enough for F-4?
Yes. TOPIK level 1 or higher meets the F-4 standard. The score is valid for 2 years from the result date.
Does King Sejong Institute 1A count?
No. The F-4 standard requires Beginner 1B or higher.
I am over 60. Do I need Korean proof?
No. People aged 60 or older are exempt and are treated as if they had submitted proof.
Can I still get an H-2 visa?
No. New H-2 visas stopped on February 12, 2026. Ethnic Koreans from China and CIS countries now apply for F-4.
Can I work any job on F-4?
Most jobs, yes. Simple labour and work against public order are excluded.
Related guides
- F-2 residence visa in Korea
- F-6 marriage visa
- KIIP registration
- TOPIK vs KIIP: which is better for your visa
Official references
- HiKorea: Ministry of Justice stay manual by status (revised August 7, 2026), Overseas Korean (F-4) section and attachments
- Immigration Contact Center 1345
Information notice: This guide gives general information based on the Ministry of Justice manual checked October 18, 2026. Embassies and immigration offices can ask for extra documents and decide individual cases. It is not individual legal advice.