The status of stay for a baby born in Korea must be applied for within 90 days of the birth, even when both parents are foreigners living in Korea on a visa. The application is filed at the local Immigration Office, and the outcome decides which visa status the child holds while living in Korea in the years that follow.
This guide explains who must apply, the documents and steps involved, the deadline, and what status of stay the child receives based on the parents’ visa. It also covers what happens if you apply late, and a related reporting duty that applies to registered foreigners in Korea as their child grows.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who it applies to | A newborn child born in Korea to foreign parents |
| Deadline to apply | Within 90 days of the birth |
| Where to apply | The local Immigration Office, in person or through an appointed agent |
| What status is granted | Depends on the parents’ visa status, for example F-3, F-5, F-1, or the same status as the parent |
| If you miss the deadline | A fine under the Immigration Act |
| Documents needed | Varies by case — confirm the current list on the official page |
| Related duty | Registered foreigners must report certain personal detail changes within 15 days |
Who Needs a Status of Stay for a Baby Born in Korea
A status of stay for a baby born in Korea is required because, technically, the child is a foreigner staying in Korea without permission until the application is granted. This applies to any newborn child born in Korea who has foreign parents, regardless of the parents’ visa type.
The same ‘Granting of Status of Stay’ procedure also covers two other groups of applicants, so it is worth knowing where a newborn child fits among them.
- Newborn child born in Korea who has foreign parents
- Former Koreans who lost or gave up their Korean nationality
- Other foreigners who are currently in Korea without a status of stay
The reason a newborn needs this application is procedural, not a judgment on the family. A status of stay is granted, it is not automatic, so every child born in Korea to foreign parents starts without one until the local Immigration Office processes the request.
These three groups are handled under the same overall procedure, but the deadline and the resulting status differ by case, so parents of a newborn should focus on the rules that apply specifically to a child born in Korea.
How to Apply: Documents and Steps
You apply by presenting the required documents to the local Immigration Office. An appointed agent can submit the application on the parents’ behalf, which is useful if one or both parents cannot go in person.
- Check which status of stay your baby is likely to receive, based on the parents’ current visa status.
- Gather the documents needed for your case, confirming the current list on the official page before your visit.
- Go to the local Immigration Office in person, or arrange for an appointed agent to submit the application for you.
- Present the documents together with the completed application to the immigration officer.
- Wait for the office to process the application and grant the status of stay.
⚠️ The exact document list depends on your case, so confirm the current requirements on the official page before you go to the Immigration Office.
The application procedure covers three different applicant groups at once, so the local Immigration Office may ask different applicants for different supporting documents depending on their case. This is another reason to confirm the current document list before your visit, rather than relying on what another family needed for a different case.
Deadline to Apply for a Status of Stay for a Baby Born in Korea
The deadline to apply for a status of stay for a baby born in Korea is 90 days from the birth. Other applicants under this same procedure must apply within 60 days of the event that requires the change, so newborn children have a longer window than most other cases.
| Applicant type | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Newborn child born in Korea with foreign parents | 90 days from the birth |
| Former Koreans who lost or gave up Korean nationality | 60 days from the reason |
| Other foreigners in Korea without a status of stay | 60 days from the reason |
If you do not apply within the 90-day period, you will be fined under the Immigration Act. There is also a separate rule for a foreigner who is departing Korea: an applicant may depart without first being granted a status of stay, within 60 days from the time of the reason for the departure.
The 60-day rule for former Koreans and other foreigners without a status of stay works the same way as the 90-day rule for a newborn. The clock starts from the date of the event that creates the need to apply, not from an earlier date. For a newborn child, that event is the birth itself, so the 90 days start counting from the child’s date of birth.
⚠️ Filing late does not cancel the requirement — it only adds a fine on top of the application you still need to make.
What Status of Stay Your Baby Will Receive
The status of stay granted to your baby depends entirely on the status held by the parents. The table below lists the outcomes stated for children born in Korea, based on the parents’ visa category.
| Parent’s status | Child’s resulting status |
|---|---|
| Diplomacy (A-1), Official Business (A-2), or Convention/Agreements (A-3) | Same status as the parent |
| Registered foreigner (general case) | Usually Dependent Family (F-3) |
| Permanent Residence (F-5), child under 20 | Permanent Residence (F-5) |
| Residency (F-2) | Family Visitation (F-1) |
| Industrial Training (D-3) or Nonprofessional Employment (E-9) | Check the official page for the exact status for your case |
None of these outcomes are something you choose. The status granted depends on the parent’s status of stay, exactly as shown in the table above.
⚠️ Two more categories appear on the official page under this same procedure: the spouse of a Permanent Residence (F-5) holder who gave up Korean nationality, and former U.S. troops who were discharged from service while stationed in Korea. These do not apply to a newborn child, but they show that the ‘Granting of Status of Stay’ procedure covers more than one kind of applicant.
Common Mistakes and a Related Reporting Duty
Parents often assume the child automatically receives the same status as one parent, but the table above shows the outcome depends on the specific parent status and the details of the case. Confirm your child’s expected status before you go to apply, so you bring the right documents and expectations.
- Waiting past the 90-day deadline and being fined as a result
- Assuming the child’s status without checking the parent’s exact visa category
- Not knowing that an appointed agent can file the application on the parents’ behalf
- Overlooking the separate 15-day reporting duty for registered foreigners once other personal details change
Separately, a registered foreigner must report certain changes to their foreigner registration card within 15 days of the change. This 15-day duty is distinct from the 90-day application for a baby, but it can apply later to the same family as circumstances change.
- A change in name, gender, date of birth, or nationality
- A change in passport number, issue date, or validity period
- Whether the child is enrolled in elementary, middle, or high school
This means the reporting duty can apply to your child again later, once the child is old enough to start school. A registered foreigner who misses the 15-day deadline for these changes is in violation of Article 35 of the Immigration Act and must pay a penalty fine, in the same way that missing the 90-day deadline for a newborn’s status of stay results in a fine.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I have to apply for a status of stay for a baby born in Korea?
You must apply within 90 days of the birth. This is longer than the 60-day period that applies to other applicants under the same procedure, such as former Koreans who gave up their nationality. Applying late results in a fine under the Immigration Act.
Where do I apply for my baby’s status of stay?
You apply at the local Immigration Office by presenting the required documents. You can also have an appointed agent submit the application for you, which is useful if the parents cannot go in person.
What visa status will my baby get?
It depends on the parents’ visa status. Children of a registered foreigner generally receive Dependent Family (F-3) status, children of a Permanent Residence (F-5) holder under age 20 receive F-5 status, children of a Residency (F-2) holder receive Family Visitation (F-1) status, and children of a parent with Diplomacy (A-1), Official Business (A-2), or Convention/Agreements (A-3) status receive the same status as that parent.
What happens if I miss the 90-day deadline?
You will be fined under the Immigration Act. The application is still required after the deadline passes, so you should apply as soon as possible even if you are late.
Apply for the status of stay for a baby born in Korea within 90 days of the birth to avoid a fine, and confirm the exact documents needed for your case on the official page. Because the resulting status depends on the parents’ exact visa, and the required documents can vary by case, check your specific situation at the local Immigration Office before you go. Rules can change, so always confirm the current requirements on the official page first.
Last checked: September 27, 2026. Rules, fees and required documents in Korea change often, and some depend on your visa type and district office. Always confirm the current details on the official pages below before you go.