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A-3 International Agreement

South KoreaSpecial cases

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

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Explore pathways in South Korea Read the five questions ↓

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

A-3 (International Agreement) 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 heading does not itself name the agreement or explain why the status exists.

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

A-3 (SOFA) is triggered by working for USFK or holding non-military SOFA status, including the civilian component and contractors invited by the U.S. Department of Defense; immediate family members are covered, but a family member over 21 should apply for the F-1 visa instead.

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.
  • The page covers the SOFA sub-type; other international-agreement cases (e.g. Fulbright A-3-99) are separate.

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

The applicant submits an official work/travel/dispatch order (PCS, TDY, leave order, etc.) whose official station, leave address or assignment is in Korea and whose dates are valid, a U.S. military ID, and marriage/birth certificates for family, whose names must appear on the order. Those moved directly to a U.S. base in Korea by U.S. military aircraft can apply after arrival, coordinating with the USFK officer or commander.

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-3 applies to those covered under the SOFA Agreement, with period of stay listed as "For Duration of Status"; immediate family members are covered. The official source does not state the rights attached to A-3 or what happens when SOFA status ends.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Rights attached to A-3 (e.g. work) are not stated.
  • What happens when SOFA status 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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