C34 Short-Term Business Visa (General Business)
The C-3-4 short-term business visa is a visa category that allows foreign nationals to visit Korea for business purposes. It is typically used for activities such as:
- Market research
- Business meetings
- Contract negotiations
For simple visits such as tourism or attending general meetings, applicants usually apply for a C-3-1 visa. However, the C-3-4 visa is specifically designed for individuals engaging in commercial or business-related activities, and therefore requires different supporting documents.
Notarization of Invitation Letter and Guarantee Letter
When inviting a Pakistani national (or other foreign business partners), certain documents must be carefully prepared.
In particular:
- Invitation Letter
- Letter of Guarantee
These documents must be notarized before submission.
The invitation letter should clearly describe:
- The background of the invitation
- The business purpose of the visit
- Justifiable reasons for inviting the foreign national
Providing sufficient explanation and supporting evidence is crucial to demonstrate the legitimacy of the invitation.
Countries with High Risk of Illegal Stay
According to Appendix 5 of the Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Act, additional documents may be required for applicants from countries designated as having a high rate of illegal stay.
These countries are specified under MOJ Notice No. 2011-534, including:
Ghana, Nigeria, Nepal, Mongolia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Iran, Egypt, India, Indonesia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Pakistan, Peru, and the Philippines (total 21 countries)
Applicants from these countries often face:
- Stricter screening
- Additional document requirements
Since Pakistan is included in this list, extra care must be taken when preparing visa application documents.
Recent Case: Invitation of a Pakistani Business Partner
In a recent case, a client company based in Daegu requested assistance with inviting a Pakistani business partner to Korea.
The background was as follows:
- The client met a Pakistani textile manufacturer in Dubai
- They planned to import and process Pakistani fabrics in Korea
- The company representative wished to invite the manufacturer for business purposes
For a successful C-3-4 visa application:
- The invitation letter must align with the purpose of the Immigration Act
- The business purpose and necessity must be clearly justified
- The visa application must be submitted to the correct jurisdiction depending on the applicant’s place of residence
Since Pakistan is classified as a high-risk country for illegal stay, document preparation was especially important.
Despite some challenges:
- Communication difficulties (limited English proficiency)
- Urgency and personality differences
The visa was successfully issued after careful preparation and proper documentation.