Who has to take the Early Adaptation Program for foreigners?

The Early Adaptation Program is for certain types of foreigners who are legally staying in Korea to live long term. Among them, Visit Employment (H-2) compatriots and foreign entertainers who perform at hotels and entertainment venues (E-6-2) cannot get an Alien Registration if they do not complete it.

H-2 has been merged into F-4, so first check whether you need to change to F-4.

Who has to take it

• International students — D-2 students admitted to a university, and D-4-1 language trainees
• Marriage immigrants — foreign spouses of Korean citizens who hold an F-6 visa or plan to change to F-6
• Foreign workers — Specific Activities (E-7), Non-professional Employment (E-9)
• Seasonal workers — people who enter Korea with Short-term Employment (C-4) or Seasonal Worker (E-8)
• Overseas Koreans with foreign nationality — people who want to do an Alien Registration or change their status of stay with H-2
• Foreign entertainers — E-6-2 for performers at hotel facilities and entertainment venues
• Youth who came to Korea midway (age 9 to under 24), resettled refugees, and people living in areas with many foreigners (any status of stay)

💡 Good to know

• Class time: Usually 5 hours. For foreigners in areas with many foreigners and youth who came to Korea midway, it is 4 hours.
• Languages: You can take the class in 18 languages, including Korean.
• Benefits of completing it: Marriage immigrants get a 2-year period of stay when they do their Alien Registration. People under entry restrictions are excluded. If you join the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (사회통합프로그램), you get 2 hours deducted from the required class time.
• Overseas Koreans (F-4): You must complete it when you change status or report your place of stay. These people are exempt: those enrolled in or graduated from a Korean elementary, middle, or high school; those aged 6 or under, or 65 or over; those who have stayed 3 years or more with a long-term status; those who completed it before; those who are taking or have completed Level 1 or higher of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program; and people with severe disabilities.

For a final check on whether your status of stay is covered, use the Social Integration Information Network (socinet.go.kr) or call 1345.