If you are planning to work in South Korea as a household assistant for a foreign investor, the F-1-22 visa is your key to entering and residing in the country legally. This guide provides a step-by-step process to help you, the applicant, understand and navigate the requirements and procedures for obtaining your F-1-22 visa.
I. What is the F-1-22 Visa?
The F-1-22 visa is designed specifically for household assistants of foreign nationals who have made substantial investments in South Korea. The visa enables household assistants to legally live and work in the country, providing support to their employers.
II. Who is Eligible for the F-1-22 Visa?
For the Foreign Investor (Sponsor)
To be eligible to sponsor a household assistant, the foreign investor must:
Hold a D-8 visa, or have F-2 (residential), F-5 (permanent residence), or F-6 (marriage immigrant) status.
Have invested a minimum of USD 500,000 in South Korea.
If you have invested between USD 100,000 and USD 500,000 in specified high-technology fields, you must meet the additional conditions:
Employ at least three full-time local workers.
Have an annual income at least three times the previous year's Gross National Income (GNI) per capita as announced by the Bank of Korea.
High-value investors with over KRW 1 billion are exempt from the annual income requirement.
For the Household Assistant (Applicant)
The household assistant, the individual being invited to Korea, must:
Be aged between 20 and 58 years.
Hold at least a middle school education or its equivalent.
Have been in employment overseas by the sponsor for at least one year.
Note that a foreign investor is limited to employing one household assistant under this visa category.
III. Duration of Visa and Entry Specifications
This visa is typically issued as a single-entry visa valid for three months, with the possibility of a stay of up to 90 days. Extensions and further details regarding the stay are managed through the Hi Korea website, where up-to-date regulations and procedures can be found.
IV. Required Documents
From the Inviting Party (Foreign Investor)
Visa Issuance Confirmation Application (Form No. 21) with a recent photo of the household assistant.
Employment contract.
Guarantee of identity form.
Copy of foreign registration card.
Employment verification documents.
Documents proving income level (tax documents, payslips, etc.).
Foreign investment report or copy of the registration of the FDI firm.
For lesser investments in high-tech industries, additional documents to verify the employment of local workers are necessary.
For D-8-2 (Venture Investment) and D-8-4 (Technology and Business Start-Up) visa holders, relevant documents proving ownership of intellectual property or completion of relevant start-up programs may be required.
From the Household Assistant (Invitee)
Passport photocopy.
Educational certificates.
Application Process
Although the visa application can be submitted both inside and outside South Korea, initiating the process within Korea is usually more practical and efficient. This is especially pertinent in Southeast Asia, where securing consular appointments and managing documents remotely can be cumbersome.
For assistants employed for less than a year, the Visa Issuance Confirmation application is recommended.
For those employed for more than a year, the application should be made at a Korean diplomatic mission abroad.
V. Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for the F-1-22 visa on my own (without a sponsor)?
How long does it take to process the F-1-22 visa?
Do I need to speak Korean to be eligible for the F-1-22 visa?
What happens if my employment is terminated before my visa expires?
Can I bring my family with me on an F-1-22 visa?
Is there a minimum wage requirement for the F-1-22 visa?
Can I work for multiple employers with an F-1-22 visa?
How can I prove my educational background?
Will I have access to healthcare in South Korea?
Can I extend my F-1-22 visa?
In short, the F-1-22 visa lets household helpers of big investors stay and work in South Korea. This shows how much the country values foreign investors and their teams. If you're applying, make sure you carefully follow all the rules and have the right paperwork ready to make things go smoothly.
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