Visa Summary Upon Entering Korea

There are many people that are curious about what kind of visas they need when traveling abroad especially to Korea. With all the ongoing changes with travel and travel restrictions, it can be confusing to try to figure out what kind of visa you are eligible for if you want to come to Korea. Today, we will introduce what kind of visa you need and the documents you need to submit to travel to Korea by nationality!

Keep in mind that all visas and eligibility is subject to change in accordance to travel restrictions and the COVID-19 situation

Korea Visa Types

There are various Korea Visas depending on the purpose of visit and stay period. You will be familiar with the B-1, B-2 Visa needed to visit Korea or the D-2, D-4 Visa to study Korean~ These are all of the visas that are applicable for those coming to Korea.

B Group: B1 and B2 are the status of residence for citizens of countries that have a visa exemption agreement with Korea. You can stay in Korea for various purposes, such as traveling, sightseeing, attending an event, attending a meeting, or visiting a relative, even if your passport does not have a separate visa sticker.

C Group: C1 is a status of residence granted to foreigners for the purpose of temporary coverage and C4 for short-term employment activities, while C3 is issued for various purposes such as B1 and B2. Short-term visas that can stay for less than 90 days, such as the B Group, are different in that the B Group does not require a visa application process, while the C Group requires a visa application process.

D Group: Foreigners who wish to study in Korea are granted D2 qualifications, and students who wish to study Korean are granted D4 qualifications, which are language study visas. In addition to this, D1 is for studying Korean culture and arts while D5 is for those who want to report through long-term stays, D6 is for religious activities such as missionary activities, D7 is issued to people working in domestic branches of foreign companies, and foreigners. There are D8, D9 visas that are issued to investors, and D10 visas for those seeking jobs in Korea.

E Group: E1 is for native speakers in university, E2 is for native speaking instructors in an academy, E3 is for researchers, E4 is for providing or transferring skills in special fields, E6 is for broadcasting / performance activities. In the case of specialized work for foreigners such as translation and overseas marketing, E7 is given. E8 is given to those working in short term labor in rural areas. E9 is for those who do non-professional work in the manufacturing industry, and E10 is for sailors.

F Group: F1 is for those who are visiting relatives, F2 is for foreign residents to reside in Korea, F3 is for families of foreigners with work visas, F4 is for Overseas Koreans, F5 is for Korean permanent residents. Foreign nationals with F2, F4, F5 and F6 status are allowed to work.

H-Group: H1 is issued to those who intend to engage in short-term employment activities for the main purpose of tourism and to cover the accompanying expenses. H2 is and employment visa issued to ethnic Koreans from 11 different countries.

G-Group: G1 vis issued to foreigners who wish to receive medical treatment at a Korean medical institution and to their spouses or caregivers that will need to enter the country to take care of the patient.

2022 Visa Information

Following is just a general guide, but we highly recommend that you contact or check the embassy website of your home country for more specific information.

Short-Term Visas

Short term visas will begin issuance again starting June 1st, 2022.

Visa-Waiver & Visa-Free Entry

Due to COVID-19, as of April 13, 2020, visa-waiver and visa-free entry programs have been temporarily suspended for 90 countries, so citizens of those countries wishing to enter Korea must apply for a visa. In addition, diplomats must also apply for a visa prior to their diplomatic mission.

In addition, travelers that don't need a visa to enter Korea can apply for K-ETA to travel more conveniently. Starting September 1, 2021, it will be made mandatory to apply. Also, 28 more eligible countries have been added, so please check the link mentioned for more information.

You must apply at least 24 hours before boarding. K-ETA will be valid for multiple trips over 2 years and the application fee is 10,000 KRW/person.

A list of eligible countries can be found here.

Long-Term Visa Holders

All long-term visa holders (except A-1, A-2, A-3, F-4 holders) must submit a re-entry permit to enter the country. You can apply at your local immigration office or the airport.

The documents needed when applying for the re-entry permit are: Passport, copy of Alien Registration, Re-entry permit application, letter of explanation, and consent for medical examination and submission of diagnosis.

As of January 8, 2021, all foreigners entering South Korea with a re-entry permit are required to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate that is issued within 72 hours prior to departure. The medical examination exemption certificate is no longer accepted.

Visa Application

Currently, only single-entry visas are being issued for both short-term and long-term visas and there is also a restriction on tourism visa issuance.

Please check with your embassy office to find the application form, required document, and to check if you need to make an appointment. The main documents needed are an application form, valid passport, passport photo, health status report, and consent to quarantine form. There is a 14 business day screening period for your application.

As of July 1, 2020, all Korean embassies have stopped issuing visa labels and will notify applicants of their visa details by issuing a "Visa Grant Notice" online. Applicants can print out this document by entering their passport information and must present it to immigration officers during immigration clearance.

List Of Visa Waiver Countries

Green : Visa Waiver Agreement CountriesThe Visa Waiver Agreement is a system where entry into another country without a visa is possible through unilateral or mutual agreements. Due to COVID-19, Visa Free entry has been temporarily suspended for 90 countries and citizens of these countries must apply for visas to enter Korea.

Taiwan	Korean Embassy in Taiwan
Japan	Korean Embassy in Japan
Hong Kong	Hong Kong

K-ETA

Source: K-ETA Website

Currently there are also countries that are apart of the visa waiver agreement or a country where visa -free entry into Korean is allowed for reasons such as tourism, visiting relatives, or participating in various events such as conferences etc. Citizens from these countries can take advantage of the K-ETA, which is a system that allows you to obtain a travel permit quickly and easily.

If you have.a passport from any of the following countries listed in the link below, then you can apply for the Korean K-ETA for entry permit into Korea.

To check if your country is an eligible country, click the link below.

K-ETA Eligible Countries

If you need to visit Korea for longer than the period of time that is indicated on the K-ETA for a separate purpose, you must apply for the correct visa in accordance to the visit purpose.

Visa issuance is doe through the Korean embassy in each country. For the required documents for the visa, please refer to the website of the embassy.

1. K-ETA

K-ETA application must be completed at least 72 hours prior to boarding of the aircraft or vessel, otherwise you may face disadvantages such as not being issued an electronic travel permit.

The K-ETA is valid for 2 years, and the K-ETA permit does not guarantee entry into the Republic of Korea. The final decision on whether or not to you will be able to enter the Republic of Korea is determined by the immigration screening of the Korean Immigration officials.

if you submit false or inaccurate information when applying for K-ETA, your K-ETA permit may be denied or revoked at any time, and you may be punished or restricted from entering the country according to the relevant laws of the Republic of Korea. The same applies for those that are applying on your behalf.

The K-ETA fee is 10,000 KRW (approx. 9-10 USD) which is a fee for screening and is non-refundable, even if the application is rejected.

K-ETA Center is not responsible for fees charged by third parties (agents, etc.).

Even if the K-ETA validly period (2 years) is still valid, if the name, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport information (passport number and validity period), criminal history, and infection disease information have changed, you must reapply for the K-ETA again to enter the country.

If the purpose of entry, place of stay, and contact information are changed after K-ETA issuance, it must be corrected on the K-ETA website. Those who have obtained the K-ETA permit are exempted from filling out the immigration form when entering the country and can go through immigration conveniently.

K-ETA can be applied for by a proxy and up to 30 people including the applicant can apply and pay at one time.

2. K-ETA Application

K-ETA must be applied for at least 72 hours before boarding an aircraft or vessel bound for Korea, and can be applied for via the main website or on the mobile app.

After agreeing to the application terms and conditions, entering your e-mail, passport information, and application information, payment of the fee will be processed.

The review will take around one day.

3. K-ETA Fee

K-ETA fee is about 10,000 KRW per person who applies.

When paying the fee, an additional payment fee for online payment is added.

Fees paid are non refundable regardless of the outcome of your application. If your card is blocked from overseas payments, fees may not be paid normally. For details, please contact your credit card company.

K-ETA Homepage

China

You can find the following information at the Korean Embassy Site. Korean Embassy in China

1. Required Documents for Regular Tourism (C-3-9) Visa

• Visa Application Form link
• 1 Photo
• Passport
• Identification
• Proof of Financial Ability
  1. Certificate of Employment and Employment Social Insurance Proof
  2. If the above documents do not exist, the original bank statement of the last six months and the original proof of payment of personal income tax for the last six months can be used.

*The following people will be omitted for proof of financial ability.

• Large city residents : Replaced with identification and passport copies
• Elementary, Middle School Students : Replaced with certificate of enrollment
• University Students : Replaced with electronic transcripts (www.chsi.com.cn)
• Excellent travel agency applicant
• Foreigners in China

  Persons who have visited 22 countries among OECD countries: Visa, Immigration Stamp, Immigration Stamp, Immigration Records (issued by Public Security Bureau)

2. General Procedure for Visa Application

Please apply at your local jurisdictions.

• Visa Registration and Issuance Time

Reception : 09:00~11:30
Grant : 14:00~17:00

3. Examination Period

• Tourist visa application through a priority travel agency: 4 days
• Tourist visa application through a non priority travel agency: 5 days

4. Visa Screening Fee

• Short-term visa (within 90 days of stay) 280 yuan
• Long-term visa (over 91 days of stay) 420 yuan

* Only a single visa will be issued during the COVID-19 period

*Expedited Visa issuance is temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 period

Vietnam

You can find the following information at the Korean Embassy Site. Korean Embassy in Vietnam

1. Required Documents for C-3 Short Term Visa

• Original passport and two-sided copy of resident registration card
• Link to Visa Issuance Application Form (including 1 photo 3.5 x 4.5)
• ID documents
• Documents proving economic ability (copies of both sides of savings bankbook and balance certificate of servings bankbook)
• Korea travel itinerary (in English or Korean)
• Accommodation Certificate in Korea
• Original copy of invitation letter and invitation copy of guest's passport
• Copy of Alien Registration Card
• Invitee's employment certificate and school enrollment certificate (English or Korean)
• Certificate of employment and enrollment of inviter

2. General Procedure for Visa Application

1) Submit Application: Korean Embassy in Vietnam

Address: Lô SQ4 Khu Ngoại Giao Đoàn, Đỗ Nhuận, Xuân Tảo, Bắc Từ Liêm, Hà Nội, Việt Nam

2) Visa Application and Issuance Hours: Weekdays 09:00 - 17:00

3. Visa Application Fee

Less than 90 days: 20 USD

91 or more days: 50 USD

Double Visa: 60 USD

Multiple Visa: 80 USD

Indonesia

You can find the following information at the Korean Embassy Site. Korean Embassy in Indonesia, Indonesia Visa Information

1. Required Documents for C-3-9 Short Term Visa

• One copy of the original passport and passport information
• Link to 1 copy of visa issuance application form
• 1 passport photo (all colors 3.5cm x 4.5 cm) attached to the visa issuance application form
• Applicant's identity document
  • For Employment: Certificate of Employment
  • For Students: Student Certificate of Enrollment
  • For Business: Business Registration Certificate
• Copy of Indonesian Family Relations Certificate
• Financial ability documents (Choose 2)
  • Bank statements for the last 3 months (original transaction statements issued by the bank)
  • Pay stubs for the last three months
  • Tax payment certification documents for at least 1 year
  • A copy of the vehicle ownership certificate (for four wheeled vehicles)
  • Original credit card statement for the last three months
  • Other documents proving income for the last year
  • Motorcycle certificate, land certificate and building certificates are not acceptable
• Quarantine Agreement Form

2. Visa Application General Procedure

1) Where to apply:

• At the Embassy : A-1, A-2, Group Visa
• Korea Visa Application Center : Other visas besides the ones mentioned above
  Address : KVAC, 5th floor, Lotte Shopping Avenue, Jalan Prof.DR.Satrio No.3-5, Jakarta Selatan.

2) Visa Application and issuance time:

• Reception hours: Weekdays 10:00-15:00
• Issuance Hours: Weekdays: 11:00-16:00

3) Review Period: 8 Business days

3. Visa Fees

Single Visa (90 days or less): 816,000 Rp

Single Visa (more than 91 days): 1,104,000 Rp

* Group visas cannot be accepted due to the current COVID-19 situation

India

You can find the following information at the Korean Embassy Site. Korean Embassy in India

*Currently, visa issuances is restricted for general visits, including tourist visits to acquaintances and relatives, and business that is requested by invitation letter.

*As an exception, in case of essential business activities such as investments/ technological provision in Korea, the embassy examines and issues the required documents upon submission. (Valid after 04/01/2022)

1. Documents Required for C-3 Visa

• Visa Application Form link
  When applying for a C-3 visa, you only need to fill out the four required items below.
  • Personal Information
  • Passport Information
  • Contacts
  • Visit Information
• 2 Passport Photos
• Original Passport (At least 6 months left before expiry date)
• Certificate of tax payment for the past year or bank statement of the past 6 months.
• Health status certificate
• Quarantine agreement

2. General Visa Application Procedure

1) Submission: New Delhi VFS center or Kalkata KVFS center official website

2) Visa application and issuance time

- Kalkata

Reception Hours: Weekdays: 10:00-15:00

Issuance Hours: Weekdays: 10:00- 15:00

- New Delhi

Reception Hours: Weekdays 09:30-12:#0

Issuance Hours: Weekdays: 09:30-17:00

*Visa Reception and Issuance Center (VFS) is currently accepting visas 3 times a week (Mon, Wed, Thurs) due to the COVID-19 situation (Valid after 07/21/2021)

3. Review Period:

1,000 hrs- 13,000 hrs

3. Visa Application Fee

Philippines

You can find the following information at the Korean Embassy Site. Korean Embassy in Philippines

*Qualification for visa issuance

Short-term visa: A person who visits Korea for essential business activities such as diplomacy/ official duties, family members of citizens, family members of long-term foreign residents (F-3), shift crew members, investment/ technology provision, and humanitarian causes such as death of a family member are recognized for Temporary Coverage (C-1), Short Term Worker (C-4).

Long-term visa: All long-term visas )A, D, E, F, H series visas that can stay for more than 91 days) can be issued

1. Documents required for C-3 Visa

• Visa Application Form link
• 1 Passport Photo
• Valid Passport (Over 6 months before expiry date)
• 1 Copy of Passport (Side of photo)
• 1 Copy of Visa for Tourist Visa Holders of OECD countries
• Original ID Card of Applicant (Work Certificate, School ID, Business Registration Card)
• Original copy of applicant's bank balance (Parent's documents in the case of a student)
• Copy of applicant's most recent 3 month bank transaction (Parent's documents in the case of a student)
• Copy of income tax payment certificate (Not required for students)
• 1 copy of Philippine long-term residence visa, I-CARD, and Philippine entry stamp
• 1 Copy of the applicant's bank balance verification (including account type, current balance, account opening date, and average balance for 6 months)
• 3 months worth of applicant's bank statement (transaction details for the past 3 months from the date of application)
• Additional forms may be required upon request

Students: 1 original copy of school enrollment certificate, 1 copy of income tax payment certificate

Employees: 1 original company employment certificate, 1 copy of income tax payment certificate

Businessman: 1 copy of business registration certificate, 1 copy of business license, 1 copy of income tax payment certificate

* For personal invitation : 1 copy of invitation letter, and Korean ID card
* For company invitation : 1 copy of invitation letter with a seal, and copy of business registration certificate

2. General Visa Application Procedure

1) Submission: In the case of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines, you can apply for a visa only through a designated travel agency. Check them out here: Designated Travel Agency List

2) Visa Application and Issuance Time:

Reception Hours: Weekdays 8:00-11:00

Issuance Hours: Weekdays: 13:30-16:00

*Spouses and children of citizens, holders of visa issuance certificates, public business travelers, and urgent humanitarians that need to visit Korea may apply for / receive their visa by visiting the embassy in person.

3) Review Period: 10 business days

We hope that this summary helps all of those planning on coming to Korea! If you have any additional questions, please leave a comment below or send us an email at help@creatrip.com! Also make sure to follow us on Instagram, Tik Tok and Facebook to stay updated on all things Korea!