Nonimmigrant Work Visas

Petition-based (H/L/O/P/Q)

Applicants for H, L, O, P, Q visas must submit the following items:

• A signed passport valid for at least six months after your date of entry into the U.S., with any covers removed.  Please obtain a new passport prior to your interview if
  
• your passport will expire within the next six months,
• the biographic page of your passport is separating from the remainder of your passport, or
• your passport is otherwise torn, damaged or mutilated.

U.S. visas cannot be placed in soon-to-expire or damaged passports

• A completed and signed Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-156) with photo (See "photo requirements" ) for each applicant. 
  All applicants are required to use the Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) (link to http://korea.usembassy.gov/ds_156.html).  You must type the information required into the appropriate spaces on the DS-156 then print the completed DS-156. 
  
  
• A completed Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-157) for each applicant.  DS 157 can be downloaded from this web site.
  
  
• A receipt from Shinhan Bank for the visa processing fee. The fee may be paid at any of the bank's branches in Korea. There is a branch only a short walk from the Embassy; click for map. A receipt showing payment of the visa application fee for each applicant, including each child listed in a parent's passport who is also applying for a U.S. visa, is needed.
  
  
• A copy of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Notice of Action (I-797) showing petition (I-129) approval.
  
  
  Even if your petition has been approved, if the request for a change of status or extension was denied, please bring your denial letter from USCIS.
  
   
  
  
  
• A copy of I-129 with supporting documents (except for Blanket L-1 visa applicant).
  
  
• An employment letter or Job offer letter from your U.S. employer confirming your employment. The letter must be dated within one month of your interview date.
  
  
• A copy of your most recent W-2 form or pay slips, if you have been working in the U.S.
  
  
• Korean income tax document, from tax office and current employment letter from company in Korea-must be dated within one month of the application (mandatory for initial L visa applications).
  
  
• Entry/Exit record from Korean Immigration for all applicants. (See "How to Obtain a Certificate of Entry/Exit Record" Please note that your most recent entry into Korea is not required.)



• Proof of principal applicant's current H, L, O, P, or Q status in the U.S., if you are a spouse or child applying without the principal application.
  
  
• Notice of Appearance (G-28) if represented by a lawyer.
  
  
• All non-English documents must be translated into English. Does not need to be notarized.
  
  
•  A courier receipt from an Embassy-approved courier company (Ilyang: 1588-0002; Hanjin:1588-0011) within Korea.  Courier service receipt will be needed to return your passport to you after the visa issuance.  Each passport has a separate courier service form attached.  Courier forms are available at the Embassy. more

You can now track your passport's delivery on-line! Click on a logo for more information.

Additional Documents

For former F visa holder only:
school transcripts and copy of employment authorization card if you had an optional practical training.

For former J visa holder only:
If you are still subject to 212(e) and applying for H or L visa, please provide the Approval Notice of the Application to waive Foreign Residence Requirement.

For Blanket L:
1. Three copies of the approval notice for the blanket L petition.
2. One original and two copies of I-129S forms with signature of responsible officer.
3. $500 fraud prevention and detection fee; The U.S. Embassy collects the $500 fraud prevention and detection fee for Blanket L-visa applicants. This fee does not apply to the spouse/children of applicant. The fee will be payable at the time of the interview. No personal checks are acceptable and all fees are non-refundable.

• Cash (US dollar or Korean Won-equivalent to US dollar with exchange rates slightly higher than bank selling rate to avoid handling numerous coins of small denomination)  However combination of US Dollar & Korean Won is not accepted to the system.
• Credit Card
  

For Dependents:

• Please submit the following documents to prove family relationship. Each certificate must be issued within one month of the application date.
1. The former Family Census Register/Jejeok Deung-Bon (one copy for the entire family)
2. Certificate of Family Relationship (one copy for the entire family)
3. Basic Certificate for each person
4. Marital Status for each person
5. Adoption Certificate for each children
   


• A clear photocopy of the principal applicant's passport, a copy of I-797 (notice action), and a clear photocopy of H, L, O P, or Q visa, if your family members apply separately.
  
  
• Follow this link for information on applying for dependent of H, L, O P or Q visas.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please go to USA VISA Information Services at http://www.us-visaservices.com. USA VISA Information Services is available 24 hours a day, and can be accessed from both inside and outside of Korea.

For nonimmigrant visa (NIV) inquiries (excluding E, H, L, O, P, Q visa inquiries), please e-mail us at : seoulniv@state.gov. For E, H, L, O, P, Q visa inquiries, please e-mail us at : seoulgoldteam@state.gov.

The applicant, not the U.S. Government, assumes full responsibility for all documents and materials submitted in connection with any consular or visa matter, and for qualifying for the required visa or travel document in time to meet the applicant's needs.

This is an official U.S. Government source of information on the WWW. Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links or information does not imply endorsement of contents.


Updated August 22, 2008