For foreigners living in Korea, receiving a notice from Korean Immigration can be a serious and unexpected situation.
Some foreigners are contacted by immigration after receiving a criminal punishment for DUI, assault, drug offenses, voice phishing, or other legal violations.
Others may face immigration issues due to:
Illegal employment
False documents
Violation of visa conditions
Problems related to residence status
Many foreigners ask:
“I already paid the fine. Why is immigration investigating me again?”
or
“My criminal case is finished. Do I still have to leave Korea?”
However, immigration procedures are separate from criminal procedures.
A criminal case determines responsibility for an offense, while immigration authorities review whether a foreign national can continue staying in Korea.
Therefore, if you are searching for an immigration lawyer in Korea, it is important to understand your current immigration stage and prepare the appropriate response.
At Majung Law Firm, we assist foreign nationals with immigration and criminal-related matters in Korea.
CONTENTS
01
Why Criminal Punishment Does Not End Immigration Issues
02
What Should You Do If Immigration Contacts You?
03
Departure Order vs Deportation Order: What Is the Difference?
04
Can You Respond After Receiving an Immigration Decision?
05
Why You Need an Immigration Lawyer in Korea
01
Why Criminal Punishment Does Not End Immigration Issues
Many foreigners believe that once they complete criminal procedures, the matter is finished.
However, even after paying a fine or receiving a suspended sentence, immigration authorities may separately review whether the person can continue staying in Korea.
Immigration authorities may consider:
RESULT
Type of offense
Criminal outcome
Length of stay in Korea
Current visa status
Possibility of repeated violations
Family and personal circumstances
Criminal punishment and immigration decisions have different purposes.
Criminal law focuses on the violation itself, while immigration procedures focus on whether continued residence is appropriate.
This is why an experienced korean lawyer should review not only the criminal result but also how the case may affect your immigration status.
02
What Should You Do If Immigration Contacts You?
Simply saying:
“Immigration contacted me.”
is not enough to determine the situation.
The next steps depend on whether you are facing:
01
A request to confirm facts
02
An immigration investigation
03
An immigration offender review
04
A departure order procedure
05
A deportation procedure
Each stage requires a different response.
Before attending an immigration interview, it is important to organize:
CHECK POINT
✔ Why you need to remain in Korea
✔ Your family relationships
✔ Your employment or academic situation
✔ Your residence history
✔ Evidence supporting your circumstances
Statements made during immigration procedures may affect future decisions.
Therefore, preparing your explanation and documents in advance is important.
03
Departure Order vs Deportation Order: What Is the Difference?
Many foreigners use the terms “forced departure” or “deportation” without knowing that immigration procedures are different.
departure order
A departure order generally requires a foreign national to leave Korea within a given period.
deportation order
A deportation order is a stronger measure where immigration authorities determine that the person falls under grounds for removal under Korean immigration law.
The appropriate response depends on:
The reason for the order
The evidence considered
Current immigration status
Personal circumstances
i
If you receive an immigration notice, do not assume that all options are already closed.
First, it is important to confirm:
01
What type of order you received
02
Why the decision was made
03
Whether any legal response is available
An immigration lawyer in Korea can help analyze the documents and determine the appropriate next step.
04
Can You Respond After Receiving an Immigration Decision?
Some foreigners believe:
“Immigration already decided, so nothing can be changed.”
However, depending on the circumstances, legal procedures such as administrative appeals or lawsuits may need to be considered.
The important issue is not simply claiming that the decision is unfair.
It is necessary to examine:
What facts immigration authorities relied on
Whether important circumstances were properly considered
Whether the decision was appropriate based on the individual situation
Important factors may include:
Long-term residence in Korea
Korean spouse or family members
Children being raised in Korea
Employment and financial stability
Details of the criminal case
Possibility of rehabilitation
If a departure date is approaching or a person is under immigration protection, timing becomes especially important.
05
Why You Need an Immigration Lawyer in Korea
Immigration cases involving foreigners often require understanding both legal procedures and personal circumstances.
A single record from a police investigation, criminal case, or immigration interview may affect later decisions.
For this reason, it is important to review:
Previous statements
Criminal records
Immigration documents
Visa history
Supporting evidence
Majung Law Firm assists foreign nationals by reviewing the entire situation, not only the current immigration notice.
Our strengths include:
WHY MAJUNG?
Immigration Lawyer in Korea, Why Majung?
Immigration Office Experience
✔ Attorneys with experience in the Immigration Office Investigation Division
Certified Visa & Refugee Law Specialists
✔ Korean Bar Association-certified specialists in Visa & Refugee Law
Multidisciplinary Legal Experience
✔ Korean Bar Association-certified specialists in Criminal, Family, and Industrial Accident Law
Multilingual Consultation
✔ English and multilingual consultation support
Overseas Consultation Access
✔ Video consultations available for overseas clients
Extensive Foreign National Case Experience
✔ More than 13,000 foreign national cases handled
Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q. I received a fine for a crime. Does that mean I can keep my visa?
Not always. Criminal punishment and immigration decisions are separate. Immigration authorities may review whether your continued stay in Korea is appropriate based on the circumstances of your case.
Q. Can a departure order or deportation order be changed?
Depending on the facts and available procedures, legal responses such as administrative appeals or lawsuits may be considered. Early review of the documents and circumstances is important.
Q. When should I contact an immigration lawyer?
It is better to seek advice before an immigration investigation or review rather than waiting until a final decision is made. Early preparation can help organize statements and supporting materials.
FINAL NOTE
Protect Your Future in Korea
Immigration issues are not always resolved simply because a criminal case has ended.
For foreigners, the key questions are:
Can I maintain my visa?
Can I continue living in Korea?
Can I protect my family and life here?
If you are searching for an immigration lawyer in Korea or need assistance from a korean lawyer, understanding your current situation early is the first step toward protecting your future.
The right preparation at the right stage can make an important difference in immigration cases.
Multilingual consultation available in English and Chinese.
Professional interpreters assist from the first consultation to the conclusion of the case.
Offices in Seoul, Daejeon, Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju
Don’t face the legal system alone. Let Majung fight for you!
