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The eligibility for visa status or status change in Korea depends on the foreign national’s nationality and visa type.

Even if one enters Korea visa-free, only certain nationalities are allowed to apply for a work visa. Therefore, it is crucial to check carefully before proceeding with the application.

💡 Work Visa Process

👱🏻 Foreigner

- Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field from France

- Work Experience: 1 year of relevant experience in Korea

- Note: Staying in Korea under B-1 (Visa Waiver) status

🏢 Company

- Industry: Game-related IT company

- Employees: 5 Korean nationals

🔖 Occupation Code: Application Software Developer (2223)

A Korean company planning to hire the foreign applicant visited us for consultation. For work visa applications, selecting the appropriate occupation code is one of the most important steps. In this case, the applicant already held a relevant degree and work experience, so proving professional qualifications was not difficult. However, since the company did not employ many Korean staff, it was necessary to actively justify why a foreign employee was needed instead of a local hire.

Even though all required documents such as a certificate of employment and supporting records were submitted during the visa application, the immigration officer additionally requested a copy of the employment contract at that time. For all visa applications, documents must prove the applicant’s full eligibility beyond the standard list. Because required supplementary documents may vary depending on the reviewing officer, applicants must be able to respond promptly to any additional requests.