What disadvantages do foreigners face for their stay in Korea if they drive under the influence?

Yes, there are disadvantages. If you are punished for drunk driving, your request to extend your stay or change your visa status may be denied. If you are caught several times, or if your sentence is heavy, you may be subject to a departure order or deportation.

How your driver's license is handled

• A blood alcohol concentration of 0.03% or higher counts as drunk driving.
• At 0.03% or higher but under 0.08%, you get 100 penalty points and your license is suspended.
• At 0.08% or higher, your license is revoked. It is also revoked if you cause an accident while drunk and someone is hurt, or if you drive drunk again.
• Your license is also revoked if you refuse a police alcohol test or interfere with the test.
• Separately from the license action, you also receive criminal punishment (a fine or imprisonment).

Usual effects on your stay

• Extension and change review: Immigration checks your criminal record during review. Even one fine can lead to denial or a shorter permitted period.
• Repeated violations or a heavy sentence: You may be subject to a departure order or deportation. Under the Immigration Act (출입국관리법), a sentence of imprisonment without labor or heavier is grounds for deportation.
• Permanent residence (F-5) and naturalization: You may fail the "good conduct" requirement. It may be hard to apply for several years.
• What action you receive after a certain number of violations depends on internal standards and your personal situation. The exact standards are not public, so we cannot say for certain.

⚠️ If you have already been caught

Do not hide your criminal record when you apply for an extension. If you apply with false information, that alone can be grounds for deportation. You can file an objection against the license action within 60 days from the day you received it. File it with the Provincial Police Agency (시·도경찰청) for your address. However, the penalty will not be reduced if your blood alcohol concentration was over 0.1%, there was an accident with injury, or you have a drunk driving record within the past 5 years.

If you have ever been caught, get advice from the Kevi administrative agent (행정사) (Visa Service in the app) before you apply for an extension. Make the final check at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or 1345.