What should USFK personnel know about Korean visas?
Before arriving in Korea, SOFA status personnel, besides active duty military, should have visa category A-3 stamped in their United States passport by officials of a Korean Embassy or consulate nearest their duty station. Korea’s embassy to the United States is in Washington, DC, and Korean consulates are located in New York City, Los Angeles, Honolulu and other cities. The A-3 category visa identifies persons residing (sojourning) in Korea pursuant to the terms of an international agreement like the SOFA; therefore, it’s common for people to refer to A-3 as the “SOFA visa.” Within 60 days of arrival in Korea, you are required to present your passport and other pertinent documents to Korean authorities so they can verify your status: a “Verified Under ROK-US SOFA” stamp will be affixed in your passport by Korean immigrations authorities next to the A-3 visa stamp. If your passport and/or visa should expire before your tour in Korea ends, you must apply at the American Embassy for a ne
