Immigration Cost in Seoul (2026)
Quick Answer
Partially verifiedIn Seoul, immigration-related costs usually combine fixed government application fees with optional professional help from an immigration lawyer or administrative scrivener. Verified government fees for common statuses are often in the tens to low hundreds of thousands of won, while professional assistance in Seoul is typically estimated at roughly KRW 200,000 to KRW 2,000,000+ depending on whether you need a simple extension, a visa change, or a more complex corporate or investment case.
Overview
In Seoul, the cost of immigration services usually has two parts: official fees paid to the Korean immigration authorities, and service fees charged by private advisers such as immigration lawyers, law firms, or certified administrative specialists. Official fees are relatively transparent and are set by the government, but private service charges vary widely depending on the visa type, urgency, paperwork volume, and whether Korean-language support or employer/corporate sponsorship documents are involved. For straightforward matters such as extension of stay, re-entry permits, alien registration-related applications, or status changes, the government fee is often the smallest part of the total. The main cost difference comes from whether you prepare the filing yourself or hire a professional in Seoul to manage eligibility checks, forms, translations, document review, and appointments. Business-related cases such as work visas, corporate sponsorship, foreign investment visas, or appeals typically cost more because they require more documentation and strategy. South Korea’s immigration framework is administered by the Ministry of Justice through Korea Immigration Service, while legal representation may also involve the Korean Bar Association and, for administrative procedure support, the Korea Association of Administrative Attorneys. If you only need the official filing, costs can remain comparatively modest; if you need end-to-end representation, the total can rise significantly.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Stay extension application fee(per application) Official immigration civil petition fee schedule includes extension of stay fees. Verified from source | KRW 60,000 – KRW 60,000 | Verified from source |
| Status of stay change application fee(per application) Official immigration civil petition fee schedule includes change of status of stay fees. Verified from source | KRW 100,000 – KRW 100,000 | Verified from source |
| Single re-entry permit(per permit) Official immigration fee schedule lists re-entry permit charges. Verified from source | KRW 30,000 – KRW 30,000 | Verified from source |
| Multiple re-entry permit(per permit) Official immigration fee schedule lists multiple re-entry permit charges. Verified from source | KRW 50,000 – KRW 50,000 | Verified from source |
| Professional help for simple immigration filing in Seoul(per case) Estimated range based on typical market rates for straightforward visa extensions, renewals or document-preparation support by Seoul-based immigration specialists and administrative practitioners; official provider price lists are not consistently published. Estimated range | ~KRW 200,000 – KRW 500,000 | Estimated range |
| Professional help for complex business/work visa or immigration case in Seoul(per case) Estimated range based on typical market rates for employer-sponsored work visas, corporate sponsorship matters, investor visas, appeals, or multi-document immigration representation in Seoul. Estimated range | ~KRW 700,000 – KRW 2,500,000 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Government filing fee if stated separately by the authority
- Document checklist and eligibility review
- Application form preparation
- Appointment booking or online filing support
- Basic liaison with immigration office
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: Korea Immigration Service / Ministry of Justice; Korean Bar Association; Korea Association of Administrative Attorneys
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Simple filings may be prepared in a few days, while complex business or status-change cases can take several weeks excluding government processing time.
How Fees Work
Usually a fixed government fee plus either a fixed case fee or, for more complex legal work, a consultation fee and/or tailored package price.
Factors Affecting Price
- Whether you only pay the official immigration filing fee or also hire a lawyer or administrative specialist
- Visa type and complexity, such as simple extension versus work, investor, family, or corporate-sponsored status
- Amount of document gathering, translation, notarisation, apostille or consular legalisation required
- Urgency and whether repeated consultations or representation at immigration offices are needed
- Whether the case involves an employer, a Korean company, or a change of status rather than a routine renewal
Local Context
In Seoul, official immigration fees are generally standard nationwide rather than district-specific, but private professional fees are often higher than in smaller cities because of stronger demand for English-language and corporate immigration support. VAT may or may not be added to private service quotes depending on the provider and invoice structure, so it is worth checking whether a quote is VAT-inclusive. Tipping is not customary in South Korea.
Some figures here are still being verified.
Where a verified figure isn’t available yet, we say so rather than guess. For the most current pricing, check the official source below.
All figures are in South Korean won (KRW). Government fees are typically fixed, while private service quotes may be issued as flat case fees rather than hourly rates.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Hi Korea · government
Official Korea Immigration Service portal used for immigration procedures and fee schedule references including extension of stay, change of status, and re-entry permit fees.
- Korean Bar Association · industry
Relevant professional body for licensed lawyers who may provide immigration legal services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to hire an immigration lawyer in Seoul?+
No. Many immigration applications in South Korea can be filed directly with the immigration authorities if you meet the requirements and prepare the documents correctly. A professional is most useful for complex, business, or status-change cases.
What is the cheapest way to handle immigration in Seoul?+
The lowest-cost route is usually to submit the application yourself and pay only the official government fee. This works best for straightforward renewals or permits where the requirements are clear.
Are government immigration fees separate from service fees?+
Yes. The official application fee is paid to the immigration authority, while any lawyer or administrative specialist charges separately for advice, document preparation, and representation.
Do Seoul providers usually charge hourly or fixed fees?+
For standard visa matters, fixed per-case pricing is more common. Hourly billing is more likely for complex legal advice, appeals, compliance work, or corporate immigration strategy.
Can business immigration cases cost much more than personal visa renewals?+
Yes. Employer-sponsored work visas, investor visas, and cases involving a Korean company usually cost more because they need more supporting documentation and legal review.
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Check current prices at the official source
Korea Immigration Service / Hi Korea
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