Can I leave Korea briefly while staying on a C-4 short-term employment status and then come back in?

Yes, you can. But C-4 is not exempt from the re-entry permit requirement, so you must get a re-entry permit before you leave.

The re-entry permit exemption applies to registered foreigners with statuses from Diplomat (A-1) to Dependent Family (F-3), and from Marriage Migrant (F-6) to Other (G-1). Short-term employment (C-4) is outside this range (after F-3 and before F-6). Also, a re-entry permit can be given to a foreigner who is registered or exempt from registration, and who wants to leave and come back to Korea within the period of stay.

Follow these steps

1. Before you leave, apply for a re-entry permit through HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) e-application or at your local immigration office (출입국·외국인관서).
2. If you will go and return only once, get a single permit. If you will travel back and forth many times, get a multiple permit. A single permit allows re-entry one time only. A multiple permit allows re-entry two or more times.
3. Return within the permitted period. If something comes up, you must get an extension before the period ends.

The fee is set by law: 30,000 KRW for a single permit and 50,000 KRW for a multiple permit.

⚠️ Things to watch out for

• The maximum period of stay for C-4 is 90 days each time. Even with a re-entry permit, you cannot stay beyond your current period of stay (expiry date). You must return before it expires.
• C-4-5 (seasonal work, etc.) holders can work only at the permitted workplace. Leaving and re-entering does not change your workplace or activities.
• Short-term stayers who have not completed foreigner registration may not be eligible for a re-entry permit. In this case, your stay ends when you leave, and you may need a new visa to enter again. Check below whether you are required to register.

Before you leave, check once more with HiKorea or the Immigration Contact Center (외국인종합안내센터, 1345) to be sure.