What can and can't I do with a G-1 (Other) visa?

With a G-1 visa, you can stay for the permitted reason (medical treatment, a lawsuit, a refugee application, etc.). You can work only if you first get permission for activities outside your status of sojourn (체류자격외 활동허가). You must not work without permission.

G-1 is a status for people who are not covered by the statuses from Diplomat (A-1) to Marriage Migrant (F-6), Working Holiday (H-1), or Work and Visit (H-2), and who are recognized by the Minister of Justice. Examples include people receiving treatment for a work injury or illness and their family, people in a lawsuit, people in mediation with a labor office over unpaid wages, refugee applicants, and people with humanitarian stay permission. The longest stay period you can get at one time is 1 year.

What you can do

• The activity that is the purpose of your stay (treatment, lawsuit, refugee procedure, etc.)
• Simple labor in fields that are not restricted for employment (only if you got permission for activities outside your status first)
• Work in a specialized field (for example, foreign language conversation instructor E-2) only if you meet the qualifications set by the relevant law and get permission
• People with humanitarian stay permission can also work in construction (you must receive the permit and complete the 'basic safety and health training for construction work')

⚠️ What you can't do

• Working without permission (if a person with humanitarian stay works without permission, they may receive a notification disposition (통고처분) for violating Article 20 of the Immigration Act)
• Working at a speculative gambling business place
• Working as an entertainment hostess at a danran bar or entertainment bar
• Customs businesses that go against good morals (places that ban youth entry and employment, such as kiss rooms and adult PC rooms)
• Private tutoring
• Refugee applicants working in construction (not allowed at places whose business registration lists only construction; if construction is listed together with manufacturing, etc., permission is given on the condition that you do not do construction work)
• If a refugee applicant works without permission or works in a restricted industry, they can be punished like any other foreigner.

How to get permission

1. Once you have decided where to work, apply to your local immigration office before you start working.
2. For documents, you need the basic documents (application form, passport, alien registration card, fee), plus an employment contract and a copy of the business registration certificate.
3. The permission period is up to 1 year, within your stay period.
4. If your workplace changes, you must get new permission. When you extend, they also check whether your job details have changed.

Refugee applicants become eligible for permission only after 6 months have passed since applying. There may be exceptions for special circumstances, such as supporting a dependent who cannot work.

The rules differ depending on your detailed reason (G-1-○), so check before you start working at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Foreigner Helpline (외국인종합안내센터, 1345).