The 8 Best Immigration Lawyers in Seoul

Pureum suits residents planning a long-term future in Korea, from permanent residency through to citizenship. Its immigration and nationality team, headed by founding partner Simon Lee and a group of dedicated paralegals, handles F-4 and F-5 applications, D-8 and investment visas, and corporate immigration for companies hiring foreign staff. Dual citizenship and military service obligations are treated as a practice area of their own. The team works in English from offices in Yongsan and Pyeongtaek, which is convenient for residents living south of Seoul.

Merits is worth a call for teachers, students and foreign workers who need to challenge a decision in court rather than simply file paperwork. The Guro firm brings administrative lawsuits over refused residence permits and refugee applications, and sues to cancel departure orders. It also helps with obtaining and renewing visas. Representative attorney Kim Dong-hyun is an advisory lawyer to KOTRA, and the firm can be reached on KakaoTalk, Telegram and Line.

Kang & Shin is a sensible choice when a visa issue overlaps with an investigation or a criminal charge. The Seocho firm handles routine applications for E-2, D-8, F-2 and F-5 status, extensions and changes of status, but it also defends clients in immigration investigations and challenges deportation and exit orders. Attorney Won Sang Kang is licensed in Korea and California, and both partners work in English. Employers can get guidance on sponsoring foreign staff as well.

Kristen Lee's team suits families whose immigration questions are tied to nationality, such as former Korean citizens or children with two passports. The practice covers family, employment and investment visas and permanent residency, plus renunciation, reinstatement and dual citizenship. It also represents clients facing deportation or departure orders. The firm, formerly known as LEE&LEE and now part of Law Firm LKB & PS, offers English-speaking representation from an office in Seocho.

Rockcliffe works only for foreign clients, which makes it a natural first call for expats unsure where a visa problem fits in Korean law. The Itaewon boutique names immigration as a core focus because most of its clients come from abroad. Consultations are handled directly by Korean Bar lawyers in English, without interpreters. A first enquiry through the website form is free, and the firm also answers on WhatsApp, Telegram and KakaoTalk, which suits people who are still outside Korea.

YUSU is the firm to call when an immigration decision has already gone against you, rather than for a routine application. The Mapo practice states plainly that it does not act as a general visa agency. Instead it handles denied extensions, immigration notices, refugee and asylum claims, deportation and re-entry, and status problems caused by a criminal case. It is led by a former prosecutor, and attorney Kyungmin Kim advises English-speaking clients directly, without an interpreter.

Majung suits foreign workers whose immigration status is caught up in another dispute, such as a workplace accident, unpaid wages or a traffic offence. Its foreign nationals team handles visa and entry-exit risks and provides interpretation for clients who do not speak Korean. Its published cases include departure orders and immigration offence reviews that followed a criminal charge. The head office is three minutes on foot from Gwanghwamun Station, and the firm answers calls seven days a week.

Shin & Kim is the choice for companies moving executives and staff to Korea, and for individuals whose case needs a large firm behind it. Its immigration and citizenship team arranges investment, assignment and employment visas and manages residence for foreign employees. It also takes on deportation cases, immigration offence reviews and requests for release from detention. A senior adviser on the team spent around three decades in the Ministry of Justice immigration service.