South Korea Visa

South korea is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and lying to the east of the Asian mainland. This country offers the traveller a dazzling range of experiences, beautiful landscapes and 5000 years of culture and history.

Foreign nationals entering Korea are required to have a valid passport and a Korean visa issued by the Korean embassy or consular offices in their country. However, citizens from many countries are now permitted visa-free entry for a limited period under certain conditions. In order to check whether you are allowed to enter Korea without visa issuance and for other requirements, please contact a Korean embassy or consular office in your country or visit the nearest embassy/consulate to confirm.

South Korea exempts the citizens of several countries and territories from obtaining a tourist visa to visit the country. They can visit and stay in South Korea for a period of 30 to 180 days without a visa.

The following is the list of the visa-exempted countries and territories for South Korea:

There are many types of South Korea visa, based on your purpose of traveling to choose a visa types that fit to you best. you can apply for a visa at the South Korean Embassy or consulate in your country.

1. A-1        Diplomat 
   A-2        Government Official 

             A-3        Treaty 

2.          B-1        Visa Exempted
             B-2        Tourist/Transit 
Note: The B-2 status allows travellers who are passport holders of various jurisdictions, including the People’s Republic of China mainland, to stay in South Korea for a maximum period of 30 days, provided that they are using Incheon International Airport as a transit stopover.

Read more: Korea Tourist Visa

3.          C-1        Short-Term News Coverage Activities C-1  
             C-2        Short-Term Business Visitor 

             C-3        Short-Term General (Tourist) 
             C-4        Short-Term Employment 

             D-1        Cultural/Artist 
             D-2        Student ( Read more detail: Korea Student Visa )

             D-3        Industrial Trainee 
             D-4        General Trainee 
             D-5        General News Coverage Activities/Journalist
             D-6        Religious Visitor/Missionary 
             D-7        Employee of Foreign-Invested Company/Supervisor 
             D-8        Corporate/Foreign Investor     
             D-9        International Trade and Management 

             D-10     Job Seeking Visa  

4. E-1        University Professor 
   E-2         Foreign Language/ English Conversation Teacher           
                 E-3        Researcher             
                 E-4        Technical Instructor              
                 E-5        Professional Consultant           
                 E-6        Entertainer           
                 E-7        Specially Designated Profession 
                 E-8        Employed Trainee 

              E-9        Non-professional Employment              
              E-10      Vessel Crew 

5.           F-1         Visiting or Joining Family              
              F-2         Long-Term Resident  
              F-3         Accompanying Spouse
              F-4        Overseas Korean 
              F-5         Permanent Foreign Resident 
              F-6         Foreign Spouse – replaces F-2-1 visa 

6. G-1        Others/Miscellaneous
7.           H-1       Working holiday
                 H-2       Working visit 

Read more: Korea Work Visa

Commonly requested documents for a work visa application

• Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of the application
• Passport-style photograph(s)
• Completed and signed visa application form
• Original CCVI (see above)
• Application fee

Student visa requirements

To obtain south korea student visa, you should prepare the following documents:

• Your original passport
• A passport type photo
• A duly completed and signed application form
• A statement indicating the amount of money in your bank account as proof that you can cover your expenses during your stay in South Korea
• A copy of your school certificate or your most recent diplomas
• A photocopy of your resident permit.

Conference visa requirements

• original passport
• a passport-sized photo
• a duly completed signed application form
• an invitation letter from the conference organiser in South Korea
• a copy of the South Korean company’s commercial record
• a copy of your presentation for the conference, as well as a conference program
• a copy of your flight ticket
• proof of your hotel reservation
• an extract of your criminal record
• a certificate of employment or education

Family visit visa requirements

• submit your original passport
• a passport-sized photo
• your application form
• a complete copy of your marriage certificate
• the first five pages of your spouse’s passport
• your spouse’s resident card in South Korea.

Journalist visa requirements

• you must submit a valid passport
• a passport-sized photo
• a duly completed and signed application form
• documents relating to the news coverage, such as a certificate of dispatch or a media coverage order
• proof of employment with the media company.