I have a long-term visa in Korea and want to travel abroad for a vacation?
I have a long-term visa in Korea and want to travel abroad for a vacation. Do I need a re-entry permit? What happens to my visa if I leave without one? Has the policy changed recently?
Note: This is an editorial persona question created from common experiences of foreign residents in Korea.
1 Answer
For most long-term visas, if you return within one year you don't need a separate re-entry permit thanks to the automatic re-entry system, but if you'll be away longer than a year you must get a re-entry permit before leaving, or your resident status can lapse. Confirm your specific status on HiKorea, since some categories differ. The critical mistake is leaving for over a year without the permit, which can cancel your registration and force a fresh visa. If your trip is short, just keep your ARC and passport valid, and check current rules on HiKorea or via 1345 before booking a long absence.