What can and can't I do with an F-3 dependent visa?

With an F-3 dependent visa, you generally can't work. To work, you must first get permission for activities outside your status of stay (체류자격 외 활동허가). However, you can study at a school (elementary, middle, high school, or university) without separate permission.

What you can do

• Your basic activity is living with your family member who holds the main visa (spouse or parent).
• You don't need separate permission to attend elementary, middle, high school, or university during your stay. This applies as long as it doesn't harm your original purpose of stay.
• You can work if you get permission. See the conditions below.

When you can work with permission

• Who: Spouses of skilled professionals (E-6 except E-6-2, E-7, including skilled worker E-7-4). E-1 to E-5 are not covered.
• Fields you can work in: Professional jobs that fall under E-1 to E-7 (except E-6-2).
• Permit period: Up to 1 year, within your own period of stay. If you have an employment contract, permission is given within that contract period.
• Steps: Work contract → permission for activities outside status of stay → start work.
• Pilot special rule: A pilot program runs from 2026.3.30 to 2027.3.29 (it may end after that). You get a general permission first. Then you report within 15 days when you start or end a job. If you don't report, your permission may be cancelled.
• Fee: Permission for activities outside status of stay costs 120,000 KRW.

⚠️ What you can't do

• Do not work without permission. You may be punished or ordered to leave Korea.
• You can't work at places where minors are banned from entering or being hired, such as gambling or entertainment venues.
• Private tutoring is banned.
• Activities outside your status as a resident are also not allowed.
• Simple labor is generally not allowed. The only exception is farming, forestry, and livestock work for adult spouses of H-2 holders.

💡 Good to know

• If an F-3 holder wants to work as a foreign-language proofreader for a state agency or public body, a foreign-language conversation instructor (E-2), or a foreign school teacher (E-7), separate permission is needed.
• If the main visa holder is an overseas Korean (F-4), the family member gets a visiting-and-living-together visa (F-1-9), not F-3.

Tell me what type of visa your spouse has, and I can tell you more exactly whether you can work. For final confirmation, check HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or call 1345.