Korea grants temporary stay and work permits to foreign children seeking parental recognition

The Korea Times - Nov 6, 2026

Foreign children seeking legal recognition from Korean parents can now secure long-term stay rights and legal employment during court proceedings, eliminating a regulatory loophole that often forced vulnerable families into financial hardship or overstaying their visas. Under updated immigration guidelines revealed Friday by the Ministry of Justice, children without citizenship and their custodial parents involved in paternity suits will be eligible for a G-1 visa, a long-term humanitarian status granted in six-month increments for the duration of legal disputes. Crucially, the policy opens a pathway to temporary work permits for parents and guardians following review by an internal human rights committee, allowing them to support themselves legally while navigating the court system. "The measures are designed to fulfill the state's minimum humanitarian obligation by preventing hardship for children of Korean lineage and their guardians during trial proceedings," acting Justice Minister Lee Jin-soo said. Until now, foreign mothers or fathers entering Korea on short-term C-3 tourist visas

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