South Korea•Asia

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E-6 — Arts and Entertainment Visa (E-6)

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

At a Glance

Processing Time

14-28 days

Application Fee

40 USD

Stay Duration

2 years

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Required

Dependents

Not Specified

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Not Required

Official Information

Overview

For foreign entertainers, musicians, athletes, and performers engaging in professional entertainment activities.

...E-6-1 (Arts & Performance) for music, art, and broadcasting; E-6-2 (Hotel & Entertainment) for performances at hotels and entertainment venues; and E-6-3 (Athletes) for professional sports and managers...

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

2 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

South Korea

Closed

F-2 — Resident Visa (F-2)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, can lead to permanent residency after 5+ years)

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be engaged in profit-making activities in the fields of arts, entertainment, sports, or broadcasting.

Must have a valid employment contract with a Korean entertainment company or venue.

Must demonstrate professional experience or qualifications in the relevant field (often 2+ years for E-6-1).

Must be at least 20 years old for most entertainment-related positions.

Must have a clean criminal record and meet health requirements.

Must have a performance recommendation letter from the relevant authority (e.g., Video Rating Board) if applicable.

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

none or higher

Experience

2+ years

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Passport

Visa application form

Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance (CCVI)

Employment contract

Performance plan

Employment recommendation letter

Professional certifications or evidence of experience

Criminal background check

Medical certificate

Business registration of the inviting organization

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Legal authorization to work in the Korean entertainment, sports, or arts industry.
Protected under Korean labor laws (minimum wage, working hours, safety).
Allows for multiple entries if specified in the visa terms.
Opportunity to work in a professional capacity in Korea's vibrant cultural sector.

Worth Knowing

Work is strictly restricted to the specific venue or employer listed in the contract.
Visa duration is often tied to the contract length (typically 6 months to 1 year initially).
Requires significant documentation from the sponsoring employer.
Strict oversight by the Korean government to prevent visa abuse.

Application Process

Entertainment company contract: Employment offer

Company petition: Entertainment company applies

Visa application: At Korean embassy

Visa processing: 2-4 weeks

Visa issuance: Entertainer work visa

Application Forms

E-6 Entertainer Visa Application

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Overview

For foreign entertainers, musicians, athletes, and performers engaging in professional entertainment activities.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be engaged in profit-making activities in the fields of arts, entertainment, sports, or broadcasting.

Must have a valid employment contract with a Korean entertainment company or venue.

Must demonstrate professional experience or qualifications in the relevant field (often 2+ years for E-6-1).

Must be at least 20 years old for most entertainment-related positions.

Must have a clean criminal record and meet health requirements.

Must have a performance recommendation letter from the relevant authority (e.g., Video Rating Board) if applicable.

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

none or higher

Experience

2+ years

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Passport

Visa application form

Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance (CCVI)

Employment contract

Performance plan

Employment recommendation letter

Professional certifications or evidence of experience

Criminal background check

Medical certificate

Business registration of the inviting organization

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Legal authorization to work in the Korean entertainment, sports, or arts industry.
Protected under Korean labor laws (minimum wage, working hours, safety).
Allows for multiple entries if specified in the visa terms.
Opportunity to work in a professional capacity in Korea's vibrant cultural sector.

Worth Knowing

Work is strictly restricted to the specific venue or employer listed in the contract.
Visa duration is often tied to the contract length (typically 6 months to 1 year initially).
Requires significant documentation from the sponsoring employer.
Strict oversight by the Korean government to prevent visa abuse.