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32-9 · Permanent residence, overseas Koreans & family stay

C-3 Short-Term Visit Invitation

C-3 (Short-Term Visit) is a status of stay under Appended Table 1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, granted to foreign nationals staying no longer than 90 days for business activities such as market research, consultations and contract negotiations, or for tourism, visiting relatives, or attending events and meetings; profit-making activities are not permitted. The Korean inviter prepares an invitation letter, a letter of guarantee, and proof of relationship and finances, and the invitee submits these with the visa application to the Korean embassy or visa application center in their country of residence. Required documents and translation/notarization standards differ by mission, and a visa may be refused if the relationship, purpose of visit, or financial capacity is not sufficiently shown. After entry, the visitor must in principle leave within the permitted period; only for unavoidable reasons such as illness, accident or flight cancellation may an extension be applied for before the period expires under Article 25 of the Immigration Act.

HWANG YUNSANG ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICESONGDO · 37.3892° N / 126.6439° E
#C-3 Short-Term Visit Invitation#Official check#32-9
🌐 How to Write a C-3 Short-Term Visit Invitation Letter
01

Procedure

Procedure

  1. 01

    Review the purpose of visit: Confirm the actual purpose (family visit, tourism, meetings, contract talks) and that the whole schedule ends within 90 days. If paid work in Korea is involved, it falls outside C-3 and another status of stay suited to the purpose should be considered.

  2. 02

    Check the mission's requirements: First check the guidance of the Korean embassy or visa application center where the invitee will apply. Review its required documents and translation/notarization standards and prepare a checklist for a family visit or a short-term business purpose.

  3. 03

    Draft the invitation letter and letter of guarantee: Fill in both parties' personal details, relationship, purpose, period and itinerary, who bears the costs, and the planned return date, and sign it. If the inviter guarantees living costs and return, prepare a letter of guarantee stating the guarantee period and scope.

  4. 04

    Prepare purpose-specific evidence: For family visits, gather family relationship documents with translations and the inviter's employment and income records. For short-term business, support the purpose with the inviting company's business documents, a business trip purpose statement and itinerary, and the invitee's certificate of employment.

  5. 05

    Cross-check and apply for the visa: Check that the relationship, itinerary and cost arrangements in the invitation letter match the supporting documents, then the invitee applies for the visa. If there is a prior refusal, supplement the relationship, purpose or financial documents tied to that refusal before reapplying.

  6. 06

    Manage the stay after entry: Confirm the permitted period and departure schedule so the visitor leaves on time. If departure is impossible due to illness, accident or flight cancellation, apply for an extension with evidence before expiry; changing to another status of stay within Korea is generally not allowed.

02

Filing route

Filing route

Korean embassy or visa application center in the invitee's country of residence (the Korean inviter prepares the invitation documents)

Confirm the current filing office, jurisdiction, and online availability on the official website.

Official check
Actual processing agencyKorean diplomatic mission overseas
Statutory and policy authorityCompetent Korean authority or official service · Competent Korean authority or official service
Online routeHiKorea
03

Deadlines & processing notes

Deadlines & processing notes

Check deadlines and next steps against the notice, filing date, and any request for additional documents.Official check
04

Basic documents

Basic documents

Basic documents0 / 8

If the relationship, purpose, itinerary or cost arrangements in the invitation letter differ from the supporting documents, the visa may be refused over document authenticity, and that refusal record is reviewed again when reapplying.

Scope of services

Scope of services

Hwang Yunsang Administrative Agent Office prepares and translates documents for administrative agencies, submits them on your behalf, and guides you through permit, application, and notification procedures. Services that require the principal’s personal appearance, principal’s application, or electronic signature may be limited in delegation.