Hello, this is Administrative Attorney Ko Woonseok, dedicated to supporting foreign nationals living and working in Korea.
Today, I’d like to walk you through the procedures for inviting family members of foreign workers who are working hard in Korea’s manufacturing sector, often taking on challenging tasks.
Although many foreign nationals are currently employed in Korea, the process of bringing family members from their home countries can be quite complex—especially for those holding E7 (Special Activity), F2R (Residency), or E9 (Non-Professional Employment) visas. Let's briefly explore the procedures for each visa type.
1. E7 Visa – Special Activity
The E7 visa is divided into several subtypes:
E71 (Professional)
E72 (Semi-Professional)
E73 (General)
E74 / E74R (Skilled Workers in Specialized Local Sectors)
While there are some minor differences, the family invitation process for all these E7 categories follows similar procedures.
The most important factor in inviting family members is the inviter’s income level. The required income threshold varies depending on the number of family members being invited. Korean embassies place great emphasis on verifying the inviter’s financial ability, based primarily on the official income certificate issued annually.
Please note that spouses of E7 visa holders are not eligible to work in Korea. However, as of this year, spouses of E74R visa holders (Skilled Workers in Local Specialized Industries) may be permitted to engage in simple labor, but only within the designated local area and under strict conditions.
2. F2R Visa – Residency
The criteria for inviting family members under the F2R visa depend on the type of qualifications through which the visa was initially obtained—whether it was based on income level or educational background.
Each case may require different documentation and eligibility criteria.
If you’d like a more personalized consultation, please feel free to contact me directly.
Additionally, the spouse of an F2R visa holder must submit:
A criminal background check from their home country, and
A tuberculosis screening result after entering Korea.
3. E9 Visa – Non-Professional Employment
In principle, family invitation is not allowed for E9 visa holders.
For those wishing to reunite with their family, it is advisable to transition to a more favorable visa type such as the E74 or E74R visa as soon as possible.
In exceptional cases, family members may be invited with the employer’s sponsorship and a letter of guarantee.
However, even with such documents, there is no guarantee of approval. Authorities will thoroughly review the necessity of the invitation, and even if granted, the stay is strictly limited to short-term visas (less than 90 days)—long-term stays are not allowed.
※Important Notes:
For applicants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, visa screenings are especially strict due to the high number of past visa overstays.
Even minor mistakes or missing documents can lead to denial. Therefore, precise and thorough preparation is essential.
At Kowoon Administrative Office, we specialize in family invitation visas for foreign workers from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for any questions or consultation.
Thank you.
