C-4 — Short-Term Employment Visa (C-4)

The C-4 Short-Term Employment Visa was established to bridge the gap between casual business visits and long-term work permits. It is specifically designed for foreign nationals who need to perform remunerative work or professional services in South Korea for a limited duration of 90 days or less. By creating this category, the Korean government ensures that short-term labor—ranging from technical consulting to artistic performances—is properly documented, taxed, and regulated, preventing the misuse of tourist visas for unauthorized employment.

This visa is intended for professionals, artists, athletes, and technical experts who have been contracted by a Korean entity for a specific, time-bound project. It is essential for those involved in fields like film production, fashion modeling, specialized technical guidance, or temporary lecturing. What makes the C-4 distinctive is its strict requirement for a formal employment contract or dispatch order; it is the only legal way to perform 'labor' in Korea for a short period, making it a critical compliance tool for international companies and project-based professionals.