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A-2 Foreign Government Official

South KoreaSpecial cases

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

Official link

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

A-2 (Foreign Government Official) 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?

A-2 is triggered by working for an international organisation or foreign government approved by Korea, by being dispatched by a foreign government or international organisation on an official mission with the Korean government, or by attending a conference or event hosted by an international organisation; immediate family 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?

The applicant submits an official overseas assignment letter (proof of employment and assignment, or a letter of cooperation from the head of the applicant's agency or organisation), plus marriage/birth certificates for accompanying family; no visa fee.

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-2 lasts for the period of the official duty (period of stay: "During Official Duty"), and the officials' family members are covered by the same status. The official source does not state the rights attached to A-2 or what happens when the official duty ends.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Rights attached to A-2 (e.g. work) are not stated.
  • What happens when the official duty 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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