Can my family who came to Korea on a C-3 short-term visit stay in Korea longer?

Yes, it may be possible. But if you extend, you can stay only up to 90 days in total, counting from the day you entered Korea. To stay longer than 90 days, you must separately check whether you can change to another status of stay.

Extension requirements checklist

• You are doing an activity allowed under Short-term Visit (C-3) (visiting relatives, tourism, etc.)
• There is no suspicion of illegal employment (you cannot do paid work on a C-3)
• You can show documents that prove why you need the extension
• You apply before your period of stay ends

Common cases where an extension is accepted are as follows.

• A marriage immigrant's family member or an overseas Korean (foreign national of Korean descent) came to visit relatives, and there is no suspicion of illegal employment
• You are suddenly injured or sick and it is hard to leave the country
• There is no plane or ship to leave on

How to apply

1. Prepare documents: basic documents (application form, passport, fee) and documents that show why you need the extension (for example, a medical certificate or family relationship documents)
2. Before the expiry date, book a visit on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) and apply at the immigration office (출입국) that covers your address.
3. The fee is usually 60,000 KRW. But there is no fee if you extend in order to leave the country because there is no ship or plane to leave on.

⚠️ Points to be careful about

• If you came on a group tour or guaranteed individual visa (C-3-2) or a Southeast Asia group visa, an extension is almost never granted. An exception is made only for unavoidable reasons such as a cancelled flight, an accident or an illness.
• To stay longer than 90 days, the guidelines for that status of stay must allow a change inside Korea. For example, the parents of a marriage immigrant (F-6) usually fall under Visiting and Living Together (F-1-5). But whether you can change directly inside Korea after entering on a C-3 depends on each case. In such a case, get a consultation with the K-VISA AI administrative agent (the app's visa service).
• If the expiry date passes, you become an illegal overstayer. Be sure to apply before it expires.

Check once more with HiKorea or the Foreigner Information Center (외국인종합안내센터) at 1345 to be sure.