Countries Exempted From South Korea Visa

Specific countries found on the list below enjoy visa-exemption benefits. This means citizens of these countries can travel to South Korea without a pre-approved visa. However, the permitted duration to stay in South Korea without a visa differs from one country to another:

• EU countries except for Cyprus         –  Jamaica                    –  Japan
• Kuwait                                                –  Liechtenstein           –  Macau
• Malaysia                                              –  Mexico                     –  Morocco
• New Zealand                                       –  Nicaragua                 –  Norway
• Panama                                                –  Peru                          –  Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia                                          –  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Serbia                                                  –  Singapore                 – Suriname
• Switzerland                                         –  Taiwan                     –  Thailand
• Trinidad and Tobago                           –  Turkey                      –  United Arab Emirates
• United States                                      –  Uruguay                   – Bahamas
• Venezuela                                           –  Australia                  – Brazil
• Antigua and Barbuda                          – Chile                         – Barbados      
• Dominican Republic                           – Dominica                  – Ecuador
• El Salvador                                         – Grenada                    – Guatemala
• Haiti                                                    – Hong Kong               – Iceland
• Israel                                                   – Monaco                     – Montenegro
• Nauru                                                  – Oman                        –  New Caledonia
• Palau                                                   – Paraguay                   –  Qatar
• Samoa                                                 – San Marino               –  Saudi Arabia
• Seychelles                                           – Solomon Islands       – South Africa
• Tonga                                                  – Tunisia                      – Tuvalu
• Vatican City                            –  Albania                                – Andorra
• Argentina                                –  Bahrain                                – Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Botswana                                –  Brunei                                  – Cyprus
• Eswatini                                  –  Fiji                                        – Guam
• Guyana                                    –  Honduras                             –  Kazakhstan
• Kiribati                                    –  Marshall Islands                  –  Mauritius
• Micronesia                               – Lesotho and Russia               – Canada

Type of Visas

If you are not a citizen of any of the countries mentioned above, then you should apply for a South Korean visa before you visit the country on a short or long-term basis. If you want to visit South Korea, there are eight visa types you can apply for. These are:

• Tourist Visa

 Anyone who wants to travel to the country for tourism and recreational purposes should apply for this visa. The tourist visa also applies to those seeking medical treatment, visiting a friend or family, attending sports or cultural events. 

• Business Visa

You can apply for a business visa as an intra-company transferee, a specialist in some practices such as foreign investment, or a specialist in a South Korea company.

• Student Visa

Those who intend to complete their studies in South Korea should apply for a D-2 visa. If you are studying for a 4-year Bachelor’s degree or a 2- year Associate or Graduate degree, you should apply for a D-2 visa. On the other hand, if you have been accepted for a South Korea training course, then a D-4 visa is what you need.

• E2 Visa

You can apply for this visa to take up the job of an English teacher in South Korea. However, this visa needs to be sponsored by educational institutions, universities, and other private academies.

• Diplomatic Visa

The diplomatic visa is also known as the A-1 visa. South Korea issues diplomatic visas to government officials and diplomats who are visiting South Korea for official purposes.

• C4 Temporary Visa

This visa is for short term or temporary employment, which is valid for less than 90 days. The C4 visa is meant for those in the creative field – Literature, Fine Arts, Professional sports team, Fashion model, and so many more.

• Military Dependent

This is also known as an A-3 visa. It is issued to the dependents of military personnel assigned to South Korea.

• Work Visa

This work visa is commonly used for long term employment. It is known as the C-7 visa, and it is for those having a contract with a company registered in Korea. For this visa, the applicant must have both educational and work experience.

Document Requirements for South Korea Visa

The general document requirements that you need, irrespective of your choice visa, are:

• South Korea visa application form for your choice visa type
• Passport – (6 months of validity with two blank pages)
• Passport-sized photo (White background and taken not more than three months)
• Proof of itinerary to South Korea
• Proof of funds cover your duration of stay in South Korea
• Proof of accommodation in South Korea

Apart from these standard documents, you will have to provide extra documents depending on the type of visa you applied for. For instance, for student visa applications, you need a reference letter and a letter of acceptance from the university/ college/school.

Similarly, for a work visa, you need an employment visa letter from the employer. An invitation letter from a South Korean company also needs to be submitted.

Process Of South Korea Visa Application

• Select the South Korea visa application form that suits your choice visa type. You can visit the official website to fill and submit your form. Click on English on the page when you visit the site if you don’t understand the Korean language. 
• After completing the application, the fee needs to be paid. The visa fee differs based on the type of visa applied for. Here is a guide with an approximate fee to be paid:Get more visa Guides to other countries here

• Once your application is filed, and your fee is paid, apply, and confirm your visa processing invitation. The processing time of the South Korea visa application depends on the consulate or embassy through which you are applying in. However, the earliest submission of your application can start three months before the date of your travel. To be on the safe side, ensure you apply at least 20 days before the date of your trip.
• After the due process, your application would either be accepted or rejected. In case your application has been approved, you can print the e-visa issued.

Check your application status

You also have an option to check your application status by following these simple steps. To check your application status, you would need the following information:

• Type of application
• Passport Number/application number/receipt number
• Name of the applicant as shown in the passport
• Date of Birth

FAQs

What are the available fee payment methods?

You can make fee payments through credit cards. For the official website, you can use one of the following credit cards to make the payment.

• Visa
• MasterCard
• JCB
• American Express
• UnionPay

What is the surcharge during the fee payments?

If you are paying the processing fee on the visa portal, then an additional fee for using the credit card facility and electronic payment services also needs to be paid. This is the surcharge.

What is the Arrival Card?

This is also known as Form No.41-2. The completed arrival card needs to be provided along with your passport at the port of entry.

Covid19 Travel Restrictions for South Korea

Due to the pandemic, certain measures have been implemented to restrict travel to South Korea as the time of writing this article. Find out more here.

Conclusion

South Korea is a country that attracts thousands of tourists and entrepreneurs every year. This all-inclusive guide on the South Korea Visa Application process will help you complete the process hassle-free and get your visa approval early.