Visa, Immigration, Residency
SOFA/Non-SOFA, ARC Card, More
SOFA/Non-SOFA, ARC Card, More
May 8, 2024
As a non-working retired military member living in Korea you no longer have SOFA status and it's umbrella of protection or the A-3 visa that came with it. Below ae some basic guides and some URL links to help you navigate through obtaining a new type of visa that fits your situation.
Notes
As a retiree in Korea it's important to understand you are still basically just another US citizen in Korea. Your military retiree status gives you no extra compensation as an expat in Korea. On-base? Of course. Off-base? Nothing. So plan AND ACT accordingly, because the USFK will do basically nothing to help you out of any jams you might find yourself in. For those times, you can reach out to the VFW posts around Korea.
Some hire/use an immigration lawyer in Korea to fill out paperwork and forms for your signature. The lawyer will submit for the Korean born spouses their FBI background check. Many times the lawyers are in the same building as Korean government Immigration buildings. A Google search or asking friends/coworkers is the best way to find them.
A couple of websites that may help are:
https://www.expatkidskorea.com/listing/immigration-lawyers-in-korea
https://www.expatguidekorea.com/seoul/best-immigration-lawyers-korea
When visiting any immigration office, you must make a reservation/appointment. Visit the HiKorea website to make reservations https://www.hikorea.go.kr/resv/ResvIdntR.pt#this
The Korean government requires an FBI Identity History Summary Check, i.e. background check for all new F-type visas, so your initial Korean Visa application will require that background check.
The FBI has implemented a new option to electronically submit and receive responses for these background checks called Electronic Departmental Order (eDO). The new eDO background check option, found on the FBI website at https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks, allows faster processing times of requests, which the FBI estimates to be 3-5 business days upon their receipt of your fingerprint card. Visit the https://www.edo.cjis.gov for all the details and How To Submit A Request. During the process you will need to:
https://www.k-eta.go.kr/
The Korean Government implemented the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) granting permission to non-Korean citizens to travel to the Republic of Korea from Visa-free countries. The cost is around $10.
Not every traveler needs a K-ETA
Obtaining a K-ETA is done online by applying via the K-ETA website prior to starting travel. Successful registration will result in generation of a printable certificate for each person that will be received via an email provided by the requestor. Each certificate comes with a unique number and is good for two years. The website does not differentiate between adult, adolescent, or infant travelers. Those who are required to obtain a K-ETA and fail to, may be denied entry and may be subsequently told to re-board a plane back to their point of origin.
K-ETA FAQ https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/board/viewboardlist.do?tmpltNm=faq
Apply for K-ETA at https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do
Korea Visa Portal ( Family Visitor - Dependent Family ) https://www.visa.go.kr/
Eligible Applicant Example(s)
Retirees living with Korea born family members (spouse) are eligible for this visa. F1 (Visiting & Joining Family) is a single-entry visa that is open to those who have relatives living in Korea to sponsor them under the visa category to visit relatives in Korea. This Korean visit visa has a maximum stay of 90 days. A Spouse of Overseas Korean (F-4) visa holders.
Korea Visa Portal ( Overseas Korean ) https://www.visa.go.kr/
Eligible Applicant Example(s)
Retirees with Korea born spouses, even if they are a U.S. Nationalized Korean, are eligible for an F-4 visa.
Eligible Applicant Example(s)
A multi-entry visa for foreigners with no connection to a Korean relative, but wish to stay in Korea long-term. If you leave Korea after obtaining an F-5 visa, you must return to Korea every 2 years in order to keep it active, You must renew the Visa every 10 years. This is a difficult Visa to get.
Requirements and How to Apply: https://www.visaskorea.com/f-5-permanent-residency-visa/
Korea Visa Portal ( Marriage / Immigrant ) https://www.visa.go.kr/
Eligible Applicant Example(s)
A multiple-entry F-6 Visa is for a spouse married to a Korean with a valid marital status who plans to stay in Korea to continue his/her marriage. A US citizen with a valid marriage to a Korea citizen is eligible for an F-6 Visa, which includes US military retirees who's spouse is a Korean citizen.
F-6 Visa allows the Visa holder to work in the Republic of Korea for two years.
How to Apply, Korea Visa Portal: https://www.visa.go.kr/openPage.do?MENU_ID=10105
Korea Visa Portal ( Short Term Visit ) https://www.visa.go.kr/
Eligible Applicant Example(s)
A person who plans to stay for a short period of time on the purpose of visiting relatives, investing in public business, participating in a non-official sport games, attending events or meetings, performing cultural art, engaging in a training, taking lessons, attending a religious ceremony, collecting documents for academic research, or any other equivalent activities.
Tourists expected to stay of 90 days or less.
You must complete a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) online either before you travel or at the airport when you arrive. Requires departure from Korea every 90 days to restart the 90 day clock. At the 90 day point, or prior, many individuals fly to Japan, Okinawa, Guam etc for the day and then return. Upon returning to Korea, the 90-day clock restarts, but requires another K-ETA.
For those retirees still working federal jobs here with SOFA Status
You must be a U.S. government employee to be eligible for and A-3 Visa i.e. Civil Service (GS/NAF/WG/GG etc), Invited Contractor with a form 700-19, AAFES, and also includes non full-time employees as NAF, Civil Service, and AAFES (but not Invited Contractors) that are less then 40 hours a week flex or intermittent time (usually 20-36 hours a week). A good rule of thumb is, if you are employed in Korea with a CAC card that has overseas privilege's of Exchange, Commissary, MWR printed on it, then you're getting SOFA status and covered under an A-3 visa. However, for any 411th Contractor Command persons reading this - overseas privilege's on a CAC card and SOFA status do not mean the same thing, Having these privilege's DOES NOT give you SOFA status.
Unlike years past, the SOFA Stamp and the A-3 Visa are one in the same now. One stamp vs two separate stamps (stickers).
Common Question: I am currently under a A-3 visa with SOFA status, and even have a Korea Registration Card. I am about to terminate my government position here in Korea and prepare to move out of Korea. How long may I remain in Korea before I must leave the country?
Answer: You retain SOFA status under your A-3 Visa for 30 days after employment end date, at which point you must leave the country and return under another visa status. If returning as a tourist (C-3), then you must leave the country every 90 days. That 90 days does not begin immediately after losing A-3/SOFA status i.e. staying in Korea 30 days + 90 days consecutive after termination government employment. If you have a Korea Registration Card (called ARC previously), as your A-3 is expiring, you must update your ARC card visa status at an Immigration office. Your ARC card does not automatically extend that 30 day requirement and allow you to remain longer in Korea past the 30 days. Even if you re applying for an F-5 or 6 visa to remain, that new visa must be obtained within the 30 days.
There are several locations to obtain a SOFA Visa:
Seoul Global Center
Jongro 38, Jongno-gu
Seoul, Korea
Phone: 02-2075-4180
Direcions:
Osan Air Base, Air Mobility Command (AMC) Terminal
Mon / Wed / Fri: 0900-1300
Initial ARC Applications accepted (no renewals)
Tue & Thu: 1100-1300
No ARC applications
USAG Humphreys SOFA A-3 VISA Office
SOFA A-3 Visa Office, located in Maude Hall, building 6400, twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for SOFA Stamps for either the blue Tourist Passports or the brown Official Passport. Read this article at https://www.army.mil/article/268872?fbclid=IwAR0NdhpP-Plr75FPy7m0eetK2pLZWJBT11MMQRHBhj-g_8VPU6agcvgAJGA
For information on acquiring a SOFA A-3 Visa stamp, visit
https://home.army.mil/humphreys/application/files/8515/8701/0740/20191001_Billboard_SOFA_Stamp_Office_Humphreys_v3.pdf
The new Residence Card is essentially a Korean national identification card for foreigners, providing a form of ID and social security. It is required for signing up for services like cell phone plans, internet, banking, and health insurance.
In January 2021 Korea changed the Alien Registration Card (ARC) as many of us know it. In response to the criticism over the negative connotation of the term “alien,” the Ministry of Justice announced a revision to replace the name of the “alien registration card” with a more neutral one by removing the word “alien.” So, starting from January 2021, the card has been called a “Residence Card” instead of an “Alien Registration Card”.
While you will not read too much about the details of this on the Ministry of Justice or Korea Immigration websites, you will definitely find out about it when you apply for a card. There is also a good article on it at https://www.korvia.com/the-new-residence-card-in-south-korea-whats-changed-and-how-to-obtain-it/.
If you have a current ARC card that is not expired, it is still good as-is! When you get it renewed you will get the new one. Anyone applying for the first time now will get the new card.
Registration Cards are a must have for non-SOFA status personnel, but SOFA status folks with an A-3 visa are still highly encouraged to get one as well.
Residence Card (most common for retirees): Issued to foreigners who intend to stay in the Republic of Korea for more than 90 days from the date of entry and have completed resident registration.
Permanent Resident Card: Issued to foreigners who hold permanent residency status, and it is valid for 10 years.
Overseas Korean Resident Card: Issued to foreigners who are overseas Koreans with foreign nationality and have reported their place of residence in Korea.
- If you are retiring in Korea
- If If you intend to stay more than 90 days in Korea
- If you lost SOFA status, but will remain in Korea
Download the application form on the Hi Korea official website at https://www.hikorea.go.kr/board/BoardApplicationListR.pt?page=1&locale=EN.
You must go to an Immigration Office downtown in your area, but you must make a reservation online for your office visit. Go to the immigration homepage at https://hikorea.go.kr/resv/ResvIntroR.pt#this to Reserve a Visit (book a date and time). Apply at the Immigration Office in your residential area. Offices outside of your addressed area will not serve you.
NOTE: If you currently have an A3 SOFA Visa, you can apply at the Osan AMC Terminal Immigration window or at the USAG Humphreys SOFA Stamp Issuing office in Maude Hall (OneStop 2nd floor). No appointment needed to apply, but you must go in-person to the Immigration Office to pick up your card, which in the Osan area is the Pyeongtaek Immigration Office in Songtan. It's published name however is Suwon Immigration Office, Pyeongtaek Branch (directions using Waze).
Click here to open 2022 revision of the ARC Application Form
Click here to go to Hi Korea Forms page for ARC Application Form (called 'Integrated application form')
You do have the option to have your ARC card delivered to you via Korea Post mail, but make sure to ask the immigration agent about it. They do not automatically tell you about it, but if you ask then they will. You of course can also return to the immigration office and pick it up.
The card must be returned to the Immigration Office / immigration officer at the departure airport or port upon final departure. Failure to return will result in fine. For more information, please contact Immigration Call Center at 1345 (within Korea).
For your spouse to apply for residency in the US, start by going to the U.S. Department of State FAQ page for DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/forms/online-immigrant-visa-forms/ds-260-faqs.html
Websites with more information
YES. First, you must be a U.S. government employee to be eligible for SOFA Status and an A-3 Visa. SOFA status does cover non full-time employees such as NAF, some Civil Service (usually WG wage grade jobs), and AAFES that are less then 40 hours a week, more commonly referred to as flex or intermittent time. Flex time is 20-36 hours a week.
Short answer NO
