Public Certification Requirement for Proof of Financial Capability and Family Relationship for F-3 Visa (Dependent Visa)

As of April this year, when a domestic company (including foreign-invested companies) invites a foreign worker (for visa types such as E-7, D-8, etc.), and the worker is accompanied by family members (spouse and minor children), submission of family relationship documents with public certification is now mandatory when applying for the F-3 visa along with the principal applicant.

※ Required Family Relationship Documents

For spouse: Marriage Certificate

For minor children: Birth Certificate

※ Public Certification:

Apostille or Consular Authentication from the Republic of Korea’s Embassy/Consulate

in the relevant country

Note: Even D-8 visa holders who were previously exempt from the Apostille requirement are no longer exempt.

This requirement applies to dispatched employees (D-8 visa) as well:

• For example, when a foreign-invested company (Korean branch) established in Korea invites an employee based on a dispatch order from the overseas headquarters.

Proof of Financial Capability and Required Documents for Inviting Dependent Family Members (F-3 Visa)

1.  Financial Capability Requirements

-When inviting dependent family members, the inviting party must possess financial resources meeting the standards below based on the number of household members.

-For international students (D-2, D-4), the number of household members is calculated excluding the principal applicant.

① (For stays of 12 months or more) Required minimum financial capability

Household Size	Required Minimum Amount (KRW)
2 members	23,595,948
3 members	30,152,118
4 members	36,586,638
5 members	42,649,152
6 members	48,388,830
7 members	53,930,568

※ For households with 8 or more members: Add KRW 5,541,738 per additional person.

② (For stays of less than 12 months) Multiply the base monthly amount by the number of months of stay

Household Size	Base Monthly Amount (KRW)
1 member	1,196,007
2 members	1,996,329
3 members	2,512,677
4 members	3,048,887
5 members	3,554,096
6 members	4,032,403
7 members	4,494,214

※For households with 8 or more members: Add KRW 461,811 per additional person.

-If income is objectively provable via the Korean income certificate (소득금액증명원), but falls short of the required amount

-If the shortfall is less than 10%, the inviting party can satisfy the requirement by holding liquid assets (bank savings) equivalent to 5 times the shortfall.

※Shortfall = Required Invitation Amount – Income listed on Income Certificate

2.  Exemptions from Financial Capability Requirement

① Foreign nationals with the following visa types:

• Professor (E-1)

• Researcher (E-3)

• Technical Instructor (E-4)

• Professional (E-5)

② Foreign nationals with D-8 visa, with an investment of USD 500,000 or more

3. Required Documents

① If a Korean income certificate is available:

-Income certificate issued by the National Tax Service (NTS), covering the previous calendar year.

※ If income is below the required amount and assets need to be reflected:

-Income Certificate + Bank Statement (showing savings held for at least 6 months under the main applicant’s name)

② If employed under a contract:

Standard Employment Contract stating the salary.

③ If receiving income from abroad:

Dispatch Letter or Certificate of Employment.

④ If income cannot be verified and proof is provided via savings:

Bank Statements (held for at least 6 months) under the names of the principal applicant and/or spouse, either from domestic or international banks.

⑤ For D-8 visa holders proving initial settlement funds:

Foreign Remittance Confirmation or Customs Declaration documents.