The E-6 visa is for those who wish to engage in artistic activities such as performance, film, broadcasting, songwriting, composition, painting, photography, dance, performance, sports (including e-sports), model, and actor while residing in Korea for more than 90 days. This is a long-term visa given to artists, broadcasters, and athletes.
- Creative Activities: Composer, Painter, Sculptor, Craftsman, Writer, Photographer
- Arts Instructors: Music, Art, Literature, Photography, Performance, Dance, Film, Physical Education
- A person who engages in entertainment, performance, play, sports, etc. as an individual or group for profit
- Including accompanying persons such as makeup artists and managers
Scope of E-6 visa activity
- Art activities such as music, art, literature, etc. that generate profits
- Entrepreneurial activities for the purpose of profit appearing in entertainment, performances, plays, sports events, advertisements, fashion models, etc.
E-6 Visa Classification
- E-6-1 : Arts such as music, art, literature, broadcasting, entertainment activities
- E-6-2: Performances at hotel facilities and entertainment venues
- E-6-3 : Athlete, professional team manager, manager
Difference Between E-6 Visa and C-4 Visa
The E-6 visa is a long-term visa for those who reside for more than 90 days, and the C-4 visa is a short-term work visa of less than 90 days, which is issued for short-term cultural, artistic, broadcasting, and sports activities.
The E-6 visa must first be issued with an employment recommendation from the relevant government agency.
In case of invitation from abroad
| Employment Recommendation Document Preparation |
| -> Issuance of recommendation letters for employment by relevant government departments |
| -> Submit visa documents with employment recommendation |
| -> Immigration office visa screening |
| -> Issuance of visa recognition number upon permission |
| -> Apply for issuance of a visa to the Korean consulate in the foreigner’s home country with a visa recognition number |
| -> Korea entry |
| -> Issuance of alien registration card |
In case of changing qualifications in Korea (allowed for special reasons)
| Employment Recommendation Document Preparation |
| -> Issuance of recommendation letters for employment by relevant government departments |
| -> Submit visa documents with employment recommendation |
| -> Visa screening at the competent immigration office |
| -> Change of alien registration card |
For the E-6 visa, the administrative agency that issues the employment recommendation letter is different depending on the field of activity, and the required documents are also different. Documents related to the applicant’s qualifications are also required.
- Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism: Singer, actor, model, e-sports
- Video Rating Committee: Performances in accordance with the Performance Act, hotels, and entertainment establishments
- Korea Communications Commission: Appearing in terrestrial broadcasting
- Ministry of Science and Technology Information and Communication: Appeared in cable, iptv broadcasting
- Visa issuance certificate or integrated application
- Copy of invitee’s passport
- 1 photo
- Certificate of Qualification, Certificate of Experience
- In case of minor, consent form of legal representative
- Business Registration
- Copy of employment contract
- Documents required for qualification according to the field of activity
- Employment recommendation letter from the competent department
- Identity guarantee
E-6 registered foreigners who need to stay continuously due to an extension of the employment contract period or change of place of work may apply for an extension of the period of stay. When extending the period of stay, a new employment recommendation letter must be issued and documents such as the previous year’s activity performance must be submitted.
- Permission period: Generally, the duration of the employment contract + 1 month
- Documents to be submitted
- Application form, passport, alien registration card, fee
- Employment recommendation letter or performance recommendation letter
- Employment contract
- A copy of business registration certificate
- Documents proving the place of stay
- A copy of the previously submitted activity plan
- Activity report
- Other documents required for examination (certificate of employment, employment status of foreigners, wage and salary income withholding department, etc.)
