Departure Order (출국권고) — What It Means and How to Respond

A departure order (출국권고) is a recommendation issued by Korean immigration authorities for a foreign national to voluntarily leave the country. It is the least severe immigration disposition in Korea, but failing to comply will escalate to forced deportation.

What Is a Departure Order?

Under the Immigration Control Act, a departure order is an administrative disposition issued following an offense review or enforcement action. While not immediately forced, failure to depart within the specified window results in detention (보호) and a forced deportation order.

• Severity: Least severe immigration disposition
• Compliance window: Typically 7–14 days to depart voluntarily
• Re-entry ban: A ban of 6 months to several years may apply after departure
• Non-compliance: May escalate to detention and forced deportation

The Departure Order Process

A departure order is issued through the following process after an offense review or enforcement.

1. Offense review or immigration enforcement action
2. Interview and review at Immigration Office
3. Departure order notice issued
4. Voluntary departure within specified period
5. Re-entry ban period applied after departure

How Vision Can Help

Our office provides the following assistance for those who receive a departure order:

• Assessing whether an administrative appeal is viable
• Preparation of documents to argue for reduced or no re-entry ban
• Negotiation to shorten the re-entry ban period
• Post-departure support for lifting the re-entry ban

Frequently Asked Questions