The G-1 miscellaneous visa (treatment, litigation, industrial accident)
G-1 is granted when you do not fit another status but must remain in Korea for a specific reason. When the reason ends, so does the status.
When it is granted
- Under medical treatment requiring continued care in Korea
- An industrial accident claim in progress
- Litigation or an investigation where you must remain as a party or victim
- An unpaid wages case in progress
- A refugee application and other reasons set by law
Steps
- Prepare documents proving the reason — medical certificate, industrial accident papers, case documents.
- Apply for a change of status at your immigration office.
- Receive permission after review. The period is set by the reason.
- Apply for extension while the reason continues.
- When it ends, depart or change to another status.
What you need
- Passport and Alien Registration Card, if any
- Documents proving the reason
- Treatment: medical certificate, hospitalisation confirmation
- Industrial accident: documents from the Workers' Compensation service
- Litigation: case number, filing confirmation
- Unpaid wages: the labour office complaint receipt
- The fee — check on HiKorea
Where to go
- Your immigration office · 1345
- 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labor (unpaid wages, industrial accidents)
- 1588-0075 Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service
- 132 Korea Legal Aid Corporation
- Your local support centre for foreign workers
Questions people ask
My stay expired while my industrial accident claim is ongoing. Changing to G-1 may be possible. Do not hide — talk to 1345, 1350 or a support centre first.
Can I work on G-1? Restricted in principle, but activity-outside-status permission is possible depending on the reason and period. Check with 1345.
What happens when treatment ends? When the reason ends you must depart or change status. Get advice in advance.
What about health insurance? It depends on status and period. Check with 1577-1000.
Take care
If you are dealing with unpaid wages or an industrial accident and your stay is running out, do not run or hide. The fact that a case is in progress can itself be grounds to continue your stay. Talk to 1350 and 1345 first.
Related
work-injury · unpaid-wages-report · overstay-consequences · change-of-status
Source
Ministry of Justice HiKorea www.hikorea.go.kr / As of 2026-08