
Applying for a Work Visa in Korean
Understanding the process and language for applying for a Korean work visa is crucial for anyone planning to work in South Korea. This guide provides essential vocabulary and phrases needed to navigate the application procedures, communicate with immigration officials, and successfully obtain your 취업 비자 (work visa).
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 취업 비자 신청하기
Pronunciation: chwi-eop bi-ja sin-cheong-ha-gi
Meaning: Applying for a work visa
Essential Vocabulary
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Expression: 취업 비자
Pronunciation: chwi-eop bi-ja
Meaning: Work visa -
Expression: 신청서
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo
Meaning: Application form -
Expression: 서류
Pronunciation: seo-ryu
Meaning: Documents, paperwork -
Expression: 여권
Pronunciation: yeo-gwon
Meaning: Passport -
Expression: 외국인등록증 (ARC)
Pronunciation: oe-gu-gin-deung-rok-jjeung
Meaning: Alien Registration Card (ARC) -
Expression: 고용 계약서
Pronunciation: go-yong gye-yak-seo
Meaning: Employment contract -
Expression: 재직 증명서
Pronunciation: jae-jik jeung-myeong-seo
Meaning: Certificate of employment -
Expression: 출입국관리사무소
Pronunciation: chu-rip-guk-gwan-ri-sa-mu-so
Meaning: Immigration office -
Expression: 심사
Pronunciation: sim-sa
Meaning: Review, screening, examination (of application) -
Expression: 허가
Pronunciation: heo-ga
Meaning: Permission, approval -
Expression: 수수료
Pronunciation: su-su-ryo
Meaning: Fee, commission -
Expression: 체류 자격
Pronunciation: che-ryu ja-gyeok
Meaning: Status of sojourn, visa status
Basic Application Phrases
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Expression: 취업 비자를 신청하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: chwi-eop bi-ja-reul sin-cheong-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to apply for a work visa. -
Expression: 신청서는 어디에서 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo-neun eo-di-e-seo ba-deul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I get the application form? -
Expression: 신청서를 작성하는 것을 도와주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-ha-neun geo-seul do-wa-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you help me fill out the application form? -
Expression: 서류를 제출하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: seo-ryu-reul je-chul-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will submit the documents. -
Expression: 예약을 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ye-ya-geul hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to make an appointment? -
Expression: 온라인으로 신청할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: on-la-in-eu-ro sin-cheong-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I apply online? -
Expression: 비자 신청 수수료는 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: bi-ja sin-cheong su-su-ryo-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is the visa application fee? -
Expression: 신청 절차에 대해 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong jeol-cha-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the application procedure? -
Expression: 신청서 접수증을 주세요.
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo jeop-su-jjeung-eul ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the application receipt. -
Expression: 언제 결과를 알 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: eon-je gyeol-gwa-reul al su it-na-yo?
Meaning: When can I know the result?
Asking Questions about the Visa
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Expression: 이 비자로 얼마나 오래 체류할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i bi-ja-ro eol-ma-na o-rae che-ryu-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: How long can I stay with this visa? -
Expression: 비자 심사 기간은 보통 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: bi-ja sim-sa gi-gan-eun bo-tong eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does the visa screening process usually take? -
Expression: 비자 연장이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: bi-ja yeon-jang-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to extend the visa? -
Expression: 취업 비자 종류가 여러 가지 있나요?
Pronunciation: chwi-eop bi-ja jong-nyu-ga yeo-reo ga-ji it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there several types of work visas? -
Expression: 제 상황에 맞는 비자 종류는 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: je sang-hwang-e mat-neun bi-ja jong-nyu-neun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What type of visa is suitable for my situation? -
Expression: 비자가 거절될 수도 있나요?
Pronunciation: bi-ja-ga geo-jeol-doel su-do it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible for the visa to be rejected? -
Expression: 비자 발급 조건을 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: bi-ja bal-geup jo-geon-eul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me the conditions for visa issuance. -
Expression: 신청 상태를 어떻게 확인할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong sang-tae-reul eo-tteo-ke hwa-gin-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: How can I check the application status? -
Expression: 비자 관련 문의는 어디로 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: bi-ja gwal-lyeon mun-ui-neun eo-di-ro hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Where should I inquire about visa-related matters? -
Expression: 비자 변경 신청도 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: bi-ja byeon-gyeong sin-cheong-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it also possible to apply for a visa change?
Discussing Required Documents
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Expression: 어떤 서류가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon seo-ryu-ga pi-ryo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: What documents are required? -
Expression: 필요한 서류 목록을 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: pi-ryo-han seo-ryu mong-no-geul ba-deul su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I get a list of the required documents? -
Expression: 모든 서류를 준비했습니다.
Pronunciation: mo-deun seo-ryu-reul jun-bi-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have prepared all the documents. -
Expression: 이 서류는 원본이 필요한가요, 사본도 괜찮나요?
Pronunciation: i seo-ryu-neun won-bon-i pi-ryo-han-ga-yo, sa-bon-do gwaen-chan-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this document need to be original, or is a copy acceptable? -
Expression: 서류 번역본도 제출해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: seo-ryu beon-yeok-bon-do je-chul-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I also need to submit a translated version of the documents? -
Expression: 공증이 필요한 서류가 있나요?
Pronunciation: gong-jeung-i pi-ryo-han seo-ryu-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any documents that require notarization? -
Expression: 고용 계약서를 제출해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: go-yong gye-yak-seo-reul je-chul-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I need to submit the employment contract. -
Expression: 여권 사본을 준비했습니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-gwon sa-bo-neul jun-bi-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have prepared a copy of my passport. -
Expression: 추가 서류가 필요하면 연락 주세요.
Pronunciation: chu-ga seo-ryu-ga pi-ryo-ha-myeon yeol-lak ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please contact me if additional documents are needed. -
Expression: 서류 제출 기한이 언제까지인가요?
Pronunciation: seo-ryu je-chul gi-han-i eon-je-kka-ji-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the deadline for submitting the documents?
Cultural Tips
Preparation is Key: Korean administrative processes often require meticulous preparation. Ensure you have all necessary documents, correctly filled out and often with certified translations, before visiting the immigration office. Double-checking requirements online (on the HiKorea website) is highly recommended.
Appointments are Often Necessary: Many immigration offices require appointments (방문 예약 – bang-mun ye-yak) booked online in advance, especially in major cities. Showing up without one might result in long waits or being turned away.
Politeness Matters: Using formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) and showing respect to immigration officers is important. Patience and politeness can go a long way, even if you encounter difficulties.
Understand Processing Times: Visa processing can take time, varying significantly depending on the visa type, workload, and individual circumstances. Be prepared for potential delays and follow up politely if necessary, using the provided application number.
Keep Copies: Always keep copies of every document you submit for your records. This is crucial in case paperwork gets lost or you need to refer back to your application details.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: An applicant (A) is at the immigration office submitting documents for a work visa to an immigration officer (B).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 취업 비자 신청 서류 제출하러 왔습니다.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, chwi-eop bi-ja sin-cheong seo-ryu je-chul-ha-reo wat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Hello, I’m here to submit the documents for my work visa application. -
Expression: B: 네, 예약하셨나요? 신청서와 준비된 서류 보여주세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, ye-yak-ha-syeon-na-yo? sin-cheong-seo-wa jun-bi-doen seo-ryu bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, did you make an appointment? Please show me the application form and the prepared documents. -
Expression: A: 네, 예약했습니다. 여기 신청서와 여권, 고용 계약서, 그리고 다른 필요 서류들입니다.
Pronunciation: A: ne, ye-yak-haet-seum-ni-da. yeo-gi sin-cheong-seo-wa yeo-gwon, go-yong gye-yak-seo, geu-ri-go da-reun pi-ryo seo-ryu-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Yes, I made an appointment. Here are the application form, passport, employment contract, and other necessary documents. -
Expression: B: 잠시만요, 서류 확인해 보겠습니다… 네, 다 있네요. 수수료는 이쪽에서 납부하시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: B: jam-si-man-yo, seo-ryu hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da… ne, da it-ne-yo. su-su-ryo-neun i-jjok-e-seo nap-bu-ha-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: B: One moment, let me check the documents… Yes, everything seems to be here. You can pay the fee over here. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 심사는 보통 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. sim-sa-neun bo-tong eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Okay, I understand. How long does the review process usually take? -
Expression: B: 보통 2주에서 4주 정도 소요됩니다. 결과는 문자로 알려드릴 겁니다.
Pronunciation: B: bo-tong i-ju-e-seo sa-ju jeong-do so-yo-doem-ni-da. gyeol-gwa-neun mun-ja-ro al-lyeo-deu-ril geom-ni-da.
Meaning: B: It usually takes about 2 to 4 weeks. We will notify you of the result via text message. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Thank you!
Practice Tips
Navigating the visa application process can seem daunting, but knowing these phrases will definitely help! Try practicing them out loud, perhaps role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner~ Familiarize yourself with the key vocabulary, especially the names of documents. Remember to check the official HiKorea website for the most up-to-date information and required forms for your specific visa type. Good luck with your application! 화이팅!