E6 · Visa

Entertainment (E6)

Scope of activity
Visa issuance
Visa change
Service

Scope of activity

You need an E6 visa to work as an artist and entertainer like a TV cast member, ad model, athlete, etc.

There are subtypes based on the activity:

Art, broadcasting and entertainment (E6-1)
- Artistic activities: musician, painter, photographer, writer, theater artist, sculptor, etc.
- Broadcasting activities: TV actor/actress, TV cast member
- Modeling activities: ad model, fashion model
- Related activities: makeup artist, manager, etc.
Hotel show (E6-2): entertainment activities in tourist facilities like hotels, international convention facilities, theme parks, etc.
- Musician, acrobat, magician, actor/actress
Sports (E6-3): athlete, coach, manager

The period of stay is up to 2 years and can be extended. It is determined according to the contract period, the recommendation period for performances, etc. E6-2 visa has a total duration limit of 2 years. If you stay for 90 days or less, you need a C4 visa instead.

Visa issuance

Your inviter must apply for the visa eligibility certificate at the competent immigration office after a labor contract or exclusive management contract with you. After that, you can apply for an E6 visa at the Korean consulate overseas.

Art, broadcasting and entertainment (E6-1)

Performance at a venue requires a recommendation from the Korean media rating board.

Modeling activities: you must meet the requirements below.

An inviter must be registered as an entertainment agency at the government.
A foreign model must have a career for modeling activities.

Broadcasting activities: you must meet the requirements below.

An inviter must be a broadcasting company or staffing agency. A staffing agency must have permission for staffing business.
You need a recommendation for employment from the government.

Artistic activities: you need a recommendation for the employment from the government based on the activity type. In this case, the inviter must be registered as an entertainment agency.

Other activities: you need to prove the need for employment.

Hotel show (E6-2)

An inviter must have permission for staffing business.

You need a performance recommendation from the Korean media rating board.

Filipinos must have OEC or OFW ID to enter Korea.

Sports (E6-3)

You need to prove the need for employment.

Visa change

You don't need to change to an E6 visa or have permission for activities not covered by your current visa if you perform artistic and entertainment activities temporarily for a small gift.

You can change to an E6-1 and E6-3 only if:

You are short-term visa (B, C) holder and have unavoidable reasons like sports tryout and international games.
You are a D2, D10 visa holder.
You are an F3 visa holder as a spouse of an E1-E7 (except E6-2) visa holder.
Other long-term stayers can change to an E6 visa if you want to engage in these activities for a short period before departure from Korea. However, if you can work without restriction as an F visa holder, you don't have to change to an E6 visa.

You cannot change to an E6-2 visa.