Can I get a G-1 (Other) visa for humanitarian reasons?

Yes, you can get G-1 (Other) status if you have a humanitarian reason. But not every situation qualifies. Your case must be one the Minister of Justice has set, and you must prove the reason with documents.

These cases are eligible for G-1

• People who cannot leave the country right away because of pregnancy, childbirth, etc. (G-1-9)
• People whose trial or investigation is ongoing because they were victims of sexual violence, forced prostitution, or repeated assault (G-1-11)
• People who have claimed industrial accident compensation or are being treated, and their family (G-1-1)
• People being treated for illness or accident, and their family (G-1-2)
• Foreign patients who need long-term treatment, and their family or caregivers (G-1-10)
• People whose refugee application was not accepted but who received a humanitarian stay permit (G-1-6)
• Family of people who died in an accident, etc. (G-1-7)

Things to check

• Most people who get this are already in Korea. You apply for a change of status of stay from your current visa to G-1. G-1-10 is for people who entered with B-1, B-2, or C-3 status.
• Documents proving your reason are the key.
• Pregnancy/childbirth: medical certificate and letter of guarantee (identity guarantee)
• Victims: lawsuit-related documents and letter of guarantee (identity guarantee)
• Patients: medical certificate from a medical institution, proof that you can pay treatment and living costs, and proof of where you live
• Basic documents are the application form, passport, 1 photo, and the fee. The fee for a change of status of stay is usually 100,000 KRW.
• The most stay you can get at one time is 1 year. You can extend it if the reason continues.

💡 What the review really looks at

Your stay is guaranteed until treatment or the lawsuit ends. But if the immigration office decides you are using a lawsuit just to stay longer, it strictly blocks changes or extensions. If you stay on G-1 for more than 2 years, they usually do a field investigation before deciding. If the reason is clear, such as an industrial accident or cancer, they do not do a field investigation.

If your period of stay has already ended or you received a departure order, do not handle it alone. Get K-VISA AI administrative agent consultation through the visa service in the app.

Apply at the immigration office in charge of where you live. Before applying, ask 1345 first whether your reason qualifies, or check on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr).