South Korea

Navigating Korea's Modern Immigration Framework

Whether you're planning to explore Seoul's vibrant districts, conduct business in Busan's industrial hubs, or pursue academic excellence at prestigious Korean universities, understanding South Korea's visa requirements forms the foundation of your successful journey. Citizens of 67 countries and territories, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and most European nations, are currently exempt from the K-ETA requirement through December 31, 2026, making short-term visits more accessible than ever.

Professional Immigration Guidance Overview

South Korea maintains a structured yet increasingly accessible visa policy that accommodates diverse traveler categories while ensuring compliance with national security standards. Visa-free access permits stays of 90 days or less for business or tourism for eligible nationalities, while longer stays and specific purposes require formal visa applications. The country has introduced digital streamlining measures, including a mandatory e-Arrival Card system that replaced paper forms as of January 1, 2026.

Key Traveler Categories:

• Business Professionals - Corporate meetings, trade opportunities, and short-term consultations under B-1 or C-3 categories
• Academic Visitors - University programs and research initiatives through D-2, D-4, and E-1 visa pathways
• Cultural Enthusiasts - Tourism and cultural immersion experiences, with visa-free access for many nationalities
• Digital Nomads - F-1-D Workation Visa for remote workers earning over 66,000 USD annually
• Employment Seekers - E-series visas covering professors, foreign language instructors, researchers, and specialized professionals

Our comprehensive guidance transforms complex Korean immigration processes into clear, actionable strategies tailored to your unique travel objectives and timeline requirements. From navigating the temporary K-ETA exemption period to understanding new digital entry procedures, we provide current information that ensures compliance with South Korea's evolving immigration framework.

Whether you need a visa for South Korea depends on your nationality, passport type, and purpose of visit. Many travelers can enter visa-free for short stays, while others require advance visa approval.

Visa-Free Entry by Country

Citizens from 106 countries can enter South Korea visa-free for tourism or business purposes. Most EU countries including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, plus United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and United States citizens can stay up to 90 days for tourism or business.

30 days visa-free access is granted to visitors from certain countries including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, along with several other Asian nations.

Transit passengers remaining in the airport transit area without entering Korea and departing on the same calendar day typically do not require a visa. Connections exceeding 24 hours or requiring immigration clearance may need transit visas or K-ETA.

K-ETA Exemption Through 2026

The K-ETA exemption for 67 countries has been extended through December 31, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027, K-ETA will be required again for visa-exempt travelers. During the exemption period, travelers from eligible countries can enter without applying for K-ETA, though they may still choose to apply voluntarily to skip completing an arrival card upon entry. The K-ETA application fee is 10,000 KRW (approximately 8 USD).

Passport Requirements

• Passport must be valid during your stay in South Korea with no minimum 6-month validity requirement
• Minimum one blank page for entry stamp
• Return or onward ticket required for visa-free travelers

While South Korea does not enforce a 6-month passport validity rule, airlines may require 6 months validity as their own policy. Verify with your airline before travel if your passport expires within 6 months of your trip.

Who Needs a Visa

Citizens from China, India, Russia, Vietnam, Philippines, and most African and Middle Eastern countries must obtain visas in advance. A visa is required for all travel purposes beyond short-term tourism or business, including employment, teaching English, and stays longer than 90 days.

Diplomatic passport holders from certain countries may enter without a visa for up to 90 days. Jeju Island offers separate visa-free arrangements for some nationalities not eligible for mainland Korea exemptions, including special provisions for travelers with permanent residence permits from Five Eyes countries.

Entry Declaration Requirements

Since February 2025, travelers can complete the e-Arrival Card online at www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr up to 3 days before arrival. From January 1, 2026, South Korea has abolished paper arrival cards, making digital submission mandatory for most travelers. Those with approved K-ETA are exempt from submitting the e-Arrival Card.

Verification

Always verify current requirements through the Korean Embassy website or official government portals, as visa policies can change. Ensure you meet all entry conditions including valid passport, proper visa or exemption status, return tickets, and digital entry declarations before traveling to South Korea.

South Korea offers diverse visa categories designed to accommodate various travel purposes, from short-term tourism to permanent residence. Understanding the specific requirements and conditions for each visa type ensures a smooth application process and successful entry into the country.

Tourist and Visitor Visas

C-3 Short-term Visit permits stays up to 90 days for tourism, business meetings, or visiting family. This single or multiple-entry visa requires proof of accommodation and financial capacity. B-2 Tourist visa allows entry for tourism or transit purposes, typically valid for about 30 days. The F-1-D Workation Visa, now a permanent fixture in 2026, targets digital nomads earning over 66,000 USD (88 million KRW) annually and allows travelers currently on a visa-free stay to switch to this visa without leaving the country. Transit passengers staying less than 24 hours in airport transit areas do not require a transit visa.

Business and Employment Visas

Professional travelers benefit from several specialized categories:

• E-7 Special Activity Visa for certain designated professions specified by the Korean government
• E-9 Non-professional Employment for manual labor and service industries
• D-8 Corporate Investment for foreign investors establishing businesses
• C-4 Short-term Employment for temporary work assignments up to 90 days
• E-1 Professor for foreign professors teaching at higher educational institutions
• E-2 Foreign Language Instructor for foreign nationals teaching their native language

Student and Academic Visas

D-2 Student Visa enables enrollment in degree programs at accredited institutions and allows you to stay in South Korea for the duration of your studies. D-4 General Training covers language courses and non-degree programs, with visa fees approximately 60-90 USD and processing taking 2 to 4 weeks. Both categories require educational institution sponsorship and proof of financial support.

Family and Special Purpose Visas

F-1 Visiting and Joining Family permits those visiting or joining family in South Korea for a long-term stay. F-2 visa is for foreigners married to Koreans or meeting requirements like age, language skills, and income to qualify. A-1 Diplomatic and A-2 Official visas serve government representatives. F-4 Overseas Korean accommodates ethnic Koreans living abroad and is typically a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 5 years with a 2-year period of stay per entry.

New Visa Categories for 2026

The K-Culture Training Visa is a new pilot for 2026, allowing foreign fans of Korean entertainment to stay for up to two years to study at local academies. This reflects South Korea's focus on attracting value-driven tourism and cultural engagement.

Processing times have been reduced, with average tourist visa processing now taking 5-7 days. E-7 Employment visas usually take about 7 to 10 working days, though processing may be longer if there are many applicants or if submitted information is incomplete. Multiple-entry options are available for qualified applicants with established travel history.

Standard Processing Times

Tourist visas typically process within 5-15 business days, while business visas require 5-20 business days. Student visas generally take 2-4 weeks for completion, and work visas involve extended processing of 3-6 weeks depending on visa type and employer documentation. D-8 and D-9 business visas are experiencing longer processing times due to increased scrutiny by consular officials. Processing may take up to 3 weeks once the embassy begins review, with longer timeframes during peak seasons.

Application Costs & Fee Structure

• Visa fees change semi-annually according to the exchange rate set by the Republic of Korea government, with revised fees valid until June 30, 2026
• C-3-2 short-term group visa: 18,000 KRW (approximately 12-13 USD)
• Single-entry tourist visa: 40-60 USD
• Multiple-entry business visa: 90-120 USD
• Work visa (E-series): 50-80 USD
• Student visa (D-2): 60-90 USD
• Service charge at Korea Visa Application Centers: 1,380 INR (approximately 17 USD) per person, with optional courier service at 550 INR (approximately 7 USD)
• Group visa fee waiver for India, China, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, and Cambodia extended until June 30, 2026, eliminating the 18,000 KRW processing fee

Application Locations & Methods

Applications are submitted through Korean consulates, embassy visa sections, or authorized Korea Visa Application Centers (KVAC). In Europe, the Republic of Korea has centralized visa processing through IOM-operated centers in Berlin, Paris, London, and The Hague. Many locations offer online appointment scheduling and document pre-screening services through the official Korea Visa Portal.

Peak Processing Periods

Summer months (June-August) and December-January experience increased processing times. Plan applications 2-3 weeks earlier during peak seasons. Korean holidays may extend standard timeframes by 3-5 additional business days.

Essential Documentation

• Valid passport with 6+ months validity
• Completed application form with recent photograph
• Bank certificate (bank statements no longer required for Filipino applicants as of February 20, 2026)
• Travel itinerary and accommodation confirmation
• Employment verification or student enrollment documentation
• Mandatory e-Arrival Card must be completed within 72 hours of landing for all travelers, regardless of K-ETA exemption status

Express Processing Options

Expedited processing reduces standard timeframes by 50-70% for additional fees. Same-day processing available for emergency travel situations with proper documentation and higher fees. Rush processing surcharges typically add 30-50 USD to standard visa fees.

Step 1: Determine Your Visa Category

Identify the appropriate visa type based on your travel purpose and intended duration. Tourist visas (C-3) suit short-term visits up to 90 days, while business visas (C-4) cover commercial activities. Students require D-2 visas, and workers need specific employment-based categories.

Step 2: Document Collection and Preparation

Gather essential documents systematically:

• Valid passport with minimum 6-month validity from the date of application submission
• Completed application form with recent photograph
• Purpose-specific documents (invitation letters, enrollment certificates, employment contracts)
• Financial proof demonstrating sufficient funds
• Travel itinerary and accommodation reservations

Ensure all foreign documents are apostilled or consularized and translated into Korean by certified translators. As of February 2026, certain nationalities no longer need to submit bank statements for tourist visas, and students may submit either a school certificate or student ID rather than both documents.

Step 3: Complete Application Forms

Fill out the visa application form online through the Korea Visa Portal. For eligible nationalities from 67 countries, K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) remains temporarily exempt through December 31, 2026, though you may still apply at least 72 hours before boarding your flight. Double-check all information matches your supporting documents exactly.

Step 4: Schedule and Submit Application

No appointment is required to submit your application at Korean consulates or authorized Korea Visa Application Centers. Simply walk in during submission hours with all documents. Personal appearance is mandatory for all applicants, as biometric data including photographs and fingerprints must be provided in person at the center.

Step 5: Complete e-Arrival Card

As of January 2026, paper arrival cards have been abolished and the e-Arrival Card is now mandatory for all travelers without a valid K-ETA. The e-Arrival Card must be completed online within 72 hours before landing. You can complete it for free at e-arrivalcard.go.kr.

Step 6: Fee Payment

Pay the required visa fee using accepted methods (cash, money order, or credit card, depending on the consulate). The K-ETA fee, if applicable, is 10,000 KRW (approximately 7-8 USD). Retain payment receipts for tracking purposes.

Step 7: Status Tracking

Monitor your application progress through the Korea Visa Portal Application Status feature, ARS at 02-2650-6363, text message, or email. Standard processing takes around 2-3 weeks for most visa applications.

Step 8: Visa Collection

South Korea now issues visas through a fully digital Visa Grant Notice system. After approval, visit the Korea Visa Portal to print your Visa Grant Notice rather than receiving a physical visa label. You can collect your passport from the Visa Application Center in person by presenting your receipt and government identification, or arrange courier delivery for an additional fee. If rejected, review the refusal letter carefully and consider reapplication with additional documentation or appeal procedures if available.