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A-1 Diplomat

South KoreaSpecial cases

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Explore pathways in South Korea Read the five questions ↓

What exactly is the official special programme/status and why does it exist?

A-1 (Diplomat) is a status of stay in Type A, the group for persons staying in Korea for diplomacy, official duty, or under an international agreement.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The source gives only the category heading; it does not state the legal basis or rationale for the status.

What circumstance, event, relationship, nomination, invitation or status activates access?

Access is triggered by being a member of a consular or diplomatic delegation of a foreign government approved by the Republic of Korea, or by holding equivalent diplomatic privileges under international agreements or practice; immediate family members are covered.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Source is the Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles page; it states that required documents may vary by consulate/embassy.

What sponsor, authority, nomination, certification, evidence or other step must occur before the status can be obtained?

Before the visa is issued the applicant submits an official overseas assignment letter (proof of employment and overseas assignment, or a letter of cooperation from the applicant country's Minister of Foreign Affairs), and marriage/birth certificates for accompanying family; the visa fee is waived.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Source is the Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles page; it states that required documents may vary by consulate/embassy.

What immigration status and rights result, how long do they last, can family be included, and what happens if the special qualifying circumstance ends?

A-1 is held for the period of the post (period of stay: "During Incumbency"), and the family members of mission/consular members are covered by the same status. The official source does not state the rights attached to A-1 or what happens when the incumbency ends.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Rights attached to A-1 (e.g. work) are not stated.
  • What happens when the incumbency ends is not stated.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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