Why is my extension permission period short?

The most common reasons for a short extension period are one of these: a limit for your status, your passport validity, unpaid taxes or fees, or the review result.

Common reasons

• Your passport validity is short. The stay period is usually adjusted to fit within your passport validity. If your passport expires soon, your permitted period can also be short.
• You have unpaid taxes (national taxes, etc.). If you do not clear the unpaid amount, your stay period is limited to a maximum of 6 months, and this can be granted up to 3 times.
• You have unpaid health insurance premiums. If you have overdue premiums, your extension period can be shortened to within 6 months. Pay in advance and keep the receipt.
• There is a limit for each status of stay. For example, for E-9, the extension limit is 3 years from the first entry date. If it was extended through re-employment, it cannot exceed 4 years 10 months from the first entry date.
• Your employment contract period is short. For example, for E-3, if your remaining stay period is longer than [the changed employment contract period + 1 month], it is reduced and adjusted to that period.
• The review decided that a shorter period was specifically needed. For E-9, the period can be shortened by looking at things like the applying company's past law violations or frequent unauthorized departures of workers.

💡 How to avoid a short period

• Renew your passport first before applying for the extension.
• Pay all taxes and health insurance premiums in full and prepare the receipts.
• The reason for a short period is different for each person, so checking with the immigration office or 1345 is the most accurate way.

If you have unpaid amounts or received a denial notice, try K-VISA AI administrative agent (행정사) consultation (visa service in the app). For accurate details, check once more at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Foreigner Information Center (외국인종합안내센터, 1345).