Is there a visa to invite parents to help raise children?

Yes, there is. It is the Visiting and Residing (F-1-5) visa for family members such as the parents of a marriage immigrant. A Korean spouse, or a marriage immigrant who has obtained nationality or permanent residence (F-5), can invite family from their home country to help with child care.

Invitation requirements

• Inviter — a Korean spouse, or a marriage immigrant who has obtained nationality or permanent residence (F-5) status
• Who can be invited — the father or mother of the marriage immigrant
• Substitute invitees — siblings or children from a previous marriage can be invited only if both parents are unable to enter Korea and the person has no minor children of their own
• Timing — the marriage immigrant (or spouse) is pregnant, or by the end of September of the year the child turns 9 (Korean age counting: international age 9)
• Record of law violations — if the inviter or a previously invited family member violated the law, invitations are restricted for a set period

Length of stay and extension

• At first, you enter with a single-entry visa for 90 days or less.
• After entry, the stay extension is granted for up to 1 year from the date of entry. Extensions are possible until the end of March of the year the child turns 10 (if there are 2 children, the last child).
• An extension application usually needs the integrated application form, passport, proof of residence, non-employment pledge, photo, fee, and the inviter's family relation documents (basic certificate, family relation certificate, marriage relation certificate, resident registration copy, etc.).

⚠️ Things to watch out for

• Single-parent families and families with many children (3 or more children, all minors) have special rules. Invitation is possible until the end of September of the year the child turns 12, and extension until the end of March of the year the child turns 13.
• If the child is of school age and the inviter does not meet the school attendance duty, the extension is restricted.
• You cannot work. You must submit a non-employment pledge.
• There is also an F-1-5 visa for humanitarian reasons, to help marriage immigrant families with a serious illness or severe disability.

Apply for the visa at the Korean embassy or consulate in your home country. After entry, apply for the extension at the immigration office with jurisdiction. Check the exact documents and requirements again at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Foreigner Information Center (외국인종합안내센터, 1345).