I entered on a C-3 short-term visit. Can I extend my period of stay?

Yes, you can extend. But it is not available to everyone. It is possible only if the need for an extension is recognized within 90 days from your date of entry.

Your activity must fall within the C-3 scope, and there must be no suspicion of illegal employment. Immigration (출입국) reviews the need for the extension and decides.

Examples of reasons considered for an extension

• There is no flight or ship to leave on, or an accident or illness occurred that you could not predict when you entered
• You came to visit relatives or for language study, and there is no suspicion of illegal employment (for example, ethnic Korean foreigners, families of marriage immigrants)
• You came for business, but export/import shipment or sailing was delayed
• You hold a multiple-entry visa and explain the circumstances that require you to stay beyond the granted period

Prepare these documents

• Basic documents (application form No. 34, original passport, fee)
• Documents showing why you need the extension: for example, a medical certificate, a flight cancellation confirmation, an invitation letter, or shipment delay documents

Steps to apply

1. Before your period of stay expires, book a visit on HiKorea (하이코리아, hikorea.go.kr).
2. Submit your documents to the immigration office with jurisdiction over your area (출입국·외국인관서).
3. Wait for the result. If you applied before expiry, you can stay while you wait, even if the result comes late.

⚠️ Points to watch

• Group tourism (C-3-2) and guaranteed individual visas are stricter. Extension or status change is possible only for unavoidable reasons, such as having no flight to leave on or applying for permanent residence or naturalization.
• If your purpose of stay is unclear or illegal employment is suspected, your extension may be denied.
• If your expiry date has passed, you may become an illegal overstayer. Get a consultation with an administrative agent (행정사) right away (Visa Service in the Kevi app).

If you think the extension will not be approved, check your departure plans first. Check once more with HiKorea or the Foreigner Helpline (외국인종합안내센터, 1345) to be sure.