Can I change from G-1 (Miscellaneous) to another visa status?

Usually it is hard. G-1 (Miscellaneous) is a status given so you can stay for a short time because of things like medical treatment, a lawsuit, unpaid wages, or pregnancy. However, a worker who changed from E-9 to G-1 because of medical treatment for a work injury or similar reasons has a procedure to return to E-9.

Checklist: cases where you may be able to change

• Return to E-9: This applies only to people who came in under the Employment Permit System (고용허가제) and changed to G-1 because of work injury treatment or similar reasons.
• You must still have room under the E-9 stay limit. The limit is 3 years from the date of entry. If you were re-employed after the 3 years ended, the limit is within 1 year and 10 months.
• Child born in Korea to a refugee applicant (G-1-99): If the child applies for refugee status in their own name, the status is corrected to G-1-5.
• You must meet all requirements of the new status. If you want to do activities of another status, you must get permission to change status before you start.

What the review looks at

• G-1 is reviewed carefully so that it is not used as a way to stay long. If you cannot clearly explain why you must stay and how you spend your living costs, your stay may be blocked.
• When your treatment or lawsuit ends, you usually must leave Korea. Extensions are short, within 6 months or 1 year.
• The fee to change status is usually 100,000 KRW.

If none of the above applies

Whether you can get another status because of a change in personal status, such as marriage, depends a lot on each person's situation. It is hard to say for sure. If your application is denied, you may be subject to departure from Korea. Before you apply, get K-VISA AI administrative agent (행정사) consultation in the app's visa service.

Apply at the immigration office in charge of your address. Check the exact details once more at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Foreigner Information Center (외국인종합안내센터, 1345).