When and with what documents do I apply to extend my C-4 short-term employment stay?

For C-4, you can apply for an extension from 4 months before expiry up to the day of expiry. The documents are usually the application form, your passport, and supporting documents that show why you need the extension.

Prepare only these documents

• Basic documents (application form, passport, fee)
• Documents explaining why you need the extension — for example, the original and a copy of your employment contract (service agreement), and a copy of the business registration certificate

These two items are the set documents for a C-4 extension. Seasonal work (C-4-1 to C-4-4) and other short-term employment (C-4-5) can all be treated under the same framework.

Application steps

1. Check the extension application period (4 months before expiry to the expiry date).
2. Prepare your documents.
3. You must be in Korea. You or your agent applies at the immigration office (출입국·외국인관서) with jurisdiction over your address. You cannot apply, or use an agent, from overseas.
4. The fee is usually 60,000 KRW for a stay extension. When you visit, you usually pay with revenue stamps (수입인지).

⚠️ Points to note

• If you apply after the expiry date, a fine will be charged. If your expiry date has already passed, get advice from an administrative agent (행정사) (visa service in the K-VISA AI app).
• For C-4, the maximum stay period granted at one time is 90 days. In principle, an extension beyond 90 days from your entry date is difficult.
• If you cannot leave for unavoidable reasons, such as having no ship to depart on, an extension for departure is possible.

Check the exact documents and where to apply once more at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Korea Immigration Contact Center (외국인종합안내센터) (1345).