Paid arts work in Korea over 90 days needs E-6; shorter jobs use C-4-5

This guide is for Korean companies that invite foreign musicians, performers, models or athletes for paid work, and for the artists themselves. The rule: paid arts, entertainment or sports activity of more than 90 days needs the arts and entertainment visa E-6 (예술흥행); activity of 90 days or less uses the short-term employment visa C-4-5 (단기취업). It follows the Ministry of Justice (법무부) visa and stay manuals updated on October 19, 2026.

E-6 or C-4-5: the 90-day line

Korean law treats any stay of more than 90 days as a long-term stay (Immigration Act, Article 10-2). The Ministry of Justice manual states that an E-6 type activity lasting 90 days or less falls under C-4-5.

Nationals of certain countries designated by the Ministry of Justice generally need a CCVI even for C-4-5. A C-4-5 performance under the Performance Act needs the same recommendation as E-6 (see below).

A single one-day concert normally fits C-4-5. Examiners have questioned E-6 applications built around one show and asked why C-4-5 was not used. If you apply for E-6, show activity across the whole period, such as a series of performances, rehearsals and recordings.

The three E-6 types

E-6 also covers managers, make-up artists and others who travel with the performer. E-6-2 has stricter rules: a recommendation from the Korea Media Rating Board, a qualification or at least 3 years of career (2 years for people who completed 2 years of normal E-6-2 work in Korea and left), a personal guarantee and a confirmation of the venue. A change of status into E-6-2 inside Korea is not allowed.

Who must recommend the artist

• Performances under the Performance Act (공연법): anyone who invites a foreigner to perform in Korea needs a recommendation from the Korea Media Rating Board (영상물등급위원회) (Performance Act, Article 6). In Jeju, the Jeju governor issues it. The Act exempts performances invited by the state or a local government, performances for religious ceremonies, friendship or research presentations, and invitations by public-interest corporations for the public good.
• Broadcasting: an employment recommendation (고용추천서) from the broadcasting regulator. The manual still names the Korea Communications Commission (방송통신위원회), which was replaced by the Broadcasting Media and Communications Commission (방송미디어통신위원회) on October 1, 2025.
• Sports: a recommendation from the league or association, or a cooperation letter from the competent ministry.
• Other cases: a recommendation from the competent ministry, or documents that prove why the company needs this person. The stay manual lists the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (문화체육관광부), the Korea Media Rating Board, the broadcasting regulator and professional sports leagues as issuers.

Step by step

1. Check the inviting company. A business that supplies or arranges entertainers' services, or trains and manages them for that purpose, must register as a popular culture and arts planning business (대중문화예술기획업) with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act, Article 26). For advertising models, the visa manual asks for this registration certificate, a VAT tax base certificate (부가가치세 과세표준증명) and a tax payment certificate (납세증명서).
2. Get the recommendation that fits the activity.
3. File for the CCVI at the immigration office (출입국·외국인관서) that covers the inviter's address (Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Article 17(2)). You cannot pick another office to save time. Basic papers: application Form No. 21 (별지 제21호서식), the artist's passport and one standard photo, a copy of the business registration certificate, a copy of the employment contract, the recommendation and a performance plan, plus a legal guardian's consent for a minor.
4. The artist applies for the visa at a Korean embassy or consulate with the CCVI number.
5. After entry, the artist registers as a foreign resident (외국인등록) within 90 days (Immigration Act, Article 31).

What examiners look at

The office may add or drop documents to check that the invitation is genuine and that both sides qualify. In practice, offices have asked inviting companies for VAT certificates, national and local tax payment certificates and staff numbers, so keep these ready. Write a clear contract. For advertising models, the manual requires the contract to state the payment method, the rights and duties including copyright, and the signatures or seals of the parties. Requests for more documents add time, so start at least three months before the first show.

After arrival

• Changing or adding a workplace: E-6-1 and E-6-3 holders report within 15 days after the change; E-6-2 needs permission in advance. Employers have their own reporting duties too: Employers of foreign staff in Korea must report changes within 15 days.
• Extension (체류기간 연장허가): apply before the stay expires. E-6-1 and E-6-3 get the contract period plus one month, up to 2 years. E-6-2 gets up to 1 year, or up to 6 months if the Korea Media Rating Board rated the show harmful to minors. Bring the recommendation, the contract, a copy of the business registration certificate and proof of address.
• A change into E-6 inside Korea is possible only in limited cases, for example from student (D-2) or job seeker (D-10) status, or for a player who entered for a tryout, and never into E-6-2.

Checklist

• Confirm the activity lasts more than 90 days; otherwise use C-4-5.
• Confirm the agency is registered as a popular culture and arts planning business.
• Obtain the Korea Media Rating Board or ministry recommendation.
• Prepare an activity plan that covers the whole stay, not one date.
• Have the company's tax payment and VAT certificates ready.
• Book foreign resident registration within 90 days of entry.