For short stays, citizens of a number of countries may enter South Korea without the need for a visa. Foreign nationals who enter the country under the visa-exempt system are not permitted to operate or participate in any paid position activities.
Who needs a South Korea visa?
The countries below can travel to South Korea without a visa for up to 90 days:
- European Union countries (Cyprus is excluded)
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Israel
- 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
- Venezuela
If you are from the following countries then you can travel to South Korea for up to 30 days:
- Albania, Andorra, Argentina
- Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana
- Brunei, Cyprus, Eswatini
- Fiji, Guam, Guyana
- Honduras, Kazakhstan, Kiribati
- Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia
- Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru
- New Caledonia, Oman, Palau
- Paraguay, Qatar, Samoa
- San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles
- Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga
- Tunisia, Tuvalu, Vatican City
Other exemptions:
- Citizens of Canada can enter South Korea for 180 days without a visa
- Lesotho and Russia can enter for up to 60 days
South Korea visa requirements
Applying for a visa to South Korea requires you to send multiple documents to back up your visa request. The requirements vary depending upon the visa type as well as the country from where you apply.
However, here is a list of the basic documents that you will most likely need for your South Korean visa application:
- The application form of the visa
- A valid passport for at least the next 6 months
- Biometric photographs
- Evidence that you have enough money to cover your living expenses
- Accommodation evidence
- Payment of the fee
- In most cases, you may also require an invitation letter, a cover letter,or the itinerary of your trip
Keep in mind that additional documentation can be required depending on the type of visa you are applying for.
South Korea visa types
If you plan to travel to South Korea and require a visa then you should know which type of visa to apply for. This is very important because the visa type will depend on your purpose of travel and in case you apply for the wrong type of visa which has nothing to do with your travel intent, then it will most likely be refused.
The South Korea visa types are classified into the following:
- Tourist visa to South Korea
- Visa for business in South Korea
- Visa for a family visit to South Korea
- Work visa in South Korea
- Study visa for South Korea
- And Holiday working visa in South Korea
South Korea tourist visa
The South Korean tourist visa is granted to tourists who wish to visit South Korea solely for the purpose of vacation or entertainment.
Besides tourism, this visa can also be for transit, medical assistance, to visit a relative, to participate in a cultural event, or other short-stay purposes.
Remember that this tourist visa to South Korea can only grant the holder a maximum of 90 days and it does not enable you to find a job and work in South Korea.
Visa for business in South Korea
A business visa will be issued to citizens who travel to South Korea for the purposes of doing business. This can be for negotiations, signing a contract, etc.
Keep in mind that for this visa you will also be required a letter from your employer as well as a letter of invitation.
Work visa to South Korea
If you wish to work in South Korea then this visa is for you. Lecturers, foreign language instructors, scholars, as well as those engaged in another occupation approved by the Justice Ministry via an agreement with a public or private institution or corporation in South Korea are all qualified for a South Korea Work Visa.
South Korea study visa
Those who wish to study in South Korea’s educational institutions must apply for a South Korea study visa.
In order to be eligible for this type of visa, the applicant must first be enrolled in an institution and provide supporting documents such as evidence of enrollment, an acceptance letter, and a reference letter.
South Korea holiday working visa
People from countries with a Working Holiday Arrangement with South Korea may apply for this type of visa.
It enables the holder to stay for up to a year in South Korea for purposes of vacation, work, or study.
In order to obtain the holiday working visa you need to:
- Be a citizen of the countries that have an arrangement for such type of visa with South Korea.
- Have at least the age of 18 and 30
- Have enough financial resources to cover your living expenses
- No criminal records
- You are traveling solely for holiday purposes
South Korean family visit visa
If you fall into one of the following groups, you must request a visa for a Family Visit:
- You will spend more than 90 days in South Korea
- You’re married to a citizen of South Korea
- You have a spouse or child with a South Korean citizenship
- If you have previously had South Korean citizenship, you may be eligible to apply for this type of visa
Application form of the South Korean visa
To obtain the visa application form you can do so in the following ways:
- If it is accessible, you could download it through the official website for visa applications
- Through the embassy or consulate when you schedule an interview
- Through a visa application agency
Make sure that once you obtain the application form, to fully complete it sincerely. It’s important that the writing is clear and readable.
How much does a South Korea visa cost?
The fees for a South Korea visa are:
- $40 for single-entry visas
- $60 for single-entry visas if you plan to stay more than 90 days
- $70 for double-entry
- $90 for multiple-entries
