Visa Application to South Korea 2025

Planning a trip to South Korea? Before packing your bags, it’s essential to understand the visa requirements based on your nationality. South Korea offers various visa exemptions and electronic travel authorizations (K-ETA) for foreign travelers, but requirements can vary. This guide will help you determine the right visa for your journey.

What is K-ETA?
K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is an electronic travel authorization system that foreign travelers must obtain before entering South Korea.

You must apply for and receive approval for K-ETA at least 24 hours before your trip to Korea.

Function of K-ETA:

K-ETA approval shortens the immigration screening time, allowing for quicker entry.
It enables proactive screening of traveler information to strengthen national security and identify individuals who should be denied entry.
Once approved, a K-ETA is valid for multiple entries over a period of 3 years, making travel to Korea more convenient.

I. Visa-Free Entry & K-ETA Exemptions

Good news for travelers from the select countries! South Korea has temporarily exempted K-ETA requirements for 22 countries and regions, allowing visitors to enter visa-free for short-term tourism.

K-ETA Temporary Exemption (No Visa, No K-ETA Required)
If you are from one of the following 22 countries, you do not need a visa or K-ETA for short-term stays (90 days or less):

Europe:

Finland, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, UK

Asia:

Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Singapore, Taiwan

Americas:

Canada, US (including Guam)

Oceania:

Australia, New Zealand

For further details, visit the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Finland.

https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/fi-en/brd/m_9574/view.do?seq=754918&page=1

II. K-ETA Required for Entry

Travellers from the following countries are visa-exempt but must apply for a K-ETA before departure:

Europe:

Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Russia, Romania, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Malta, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Slovakia, Iceland, Ireland, Czech Republic, Portugal, Hungary, Monaco, Montenegro, Holy See, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino, Andorra, Albania, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia

Asia:

Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Thailand, Turkey, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait

Americas:

Guatemala, Grenada, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Dominica, Mexico, Barbados, Bahamas, Venezuela, Brazil, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Suriname, Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda, El Salvador, Uruguay, Jamaica, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama, Peru, Guyana, Argentina, Honduras, Paraguay, Ecuador

Oceania:

Nauru, New Caledonia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Palau, Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu

Africa:

Lesotho, Morocco, Tunisia, Republic of South Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles, Eswatini, Botswana

K-ETA application eligibility guide: https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/guide/viewetaalification.do

How to Apply for a K-ETA

The K-ETA application fee is KRW 10,000 per person. You can apply through the official K-ETA website.

https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do

Step-by-step process of how to apply for the K-ETA

III. Visa Required for Entry

Citizens from countries that are not considered visa-exempt for South Korea need to apply for a “C-3” short-term tourist visa to visit the country, which allows for stays up to 90 days for tourism purposes. If your country is not listed above, you must obtain a visa before your trip.

To apply for a visa, visit South Korea’s official visa website. It’s best to check with the nearest South Korean Embassy for specific requirements.

Visa application requirements

Visa application requirements for South Korea can vary depending on the applicant’s nationality and the specific embassy or consulate where the application is submitted. While there isn’t a centralized list detailing requirements for every country on the Embassy of the Republic of Korea’s website, most embassies and consulates provide specific guidelines tailored to their respective jurisdictions.

Common General Requirements

Most embassies and consulates typically require the following documents:

Visa Application Form: Completed and signed. Many embassies recommend filling out the e-form available on the Korean Visa Portal.
Passport: Original passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry, with at least one blank visa page.
Photograph: Recent passport-sized color photo (usually 2×2 inches) taken within the last six months.
Proof of Residence: For non-citizens applying outside their home country, a valid residence permit or visa.
Financial Evidence: Bank statements or proof of sufficient funds to cover the stay in South Korea.
Travel Itinerary: Flight reservations and accommodation bookings.
Visa Fee: Payment of the applicable visa processing fee.

Country-Specific Requirements:

Some embassies have additional or specific requirements based on the applicant’s nationality or local considerations. For instance:

United Arab Emirates: Applicants must submit a copy of their UAE residence visa, valid for at least six months from the application date, and an original Emirates ID.
Saudi Arabia: Applicants need a company letter notarized by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce, an original bank statement showing a balance over SAR 30,000, and a copy of their Iqama (residence permit).
https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ae-dubai-en/brd/m_24986/view.do?page=1&seq=737913&utm_source=chatgpt.com

Recommendations:

Consult the Nearest Korean Embassy or Consulate: Visit the official website of the Korean embassy or consulate in your country or region to obtain the most accurate and up-to-date visa application requirements.

Use Official Resources: Always refer to official sources, such as the Korean Visa Portal, for general information and e-forms.

Prepare Additional Documents: Depending on your specific situation, additional documents such as employment letters, invitation letters, or proof of academic enrollment may be required.

By consulting the specific requirements of the Korean embassy or consulate in your area, you can ensure that you gather all necessary documents for a successful visa application.

https://www.visa.go.kr/main/openMain.do

Republic of Korea visa portal

IV. New e-Arrival Card Requirement (From February 24, 2025)

Starting February 24, 2025, travelers exempt from K-ETA will need to apply for an e-Arrival Card before entering South Korea. Who Needs to Submit an e-Arrival Card:

All foreign nationals entering South Korea are required to submit an entry declaration form, which can now be done electronically via the e-Arrival Card system.

However, certain groups are exempt from this requirement:

Registered Residents: Individuals who are registered residents in South Korea, including Permanent Resident Card and Overseas Korean Resident Card holders, do not need to submit an e-Arrival Card.
K-ETA Holders: Travelers who have a valid Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) are exempt from submitting the e-Arrival Card.
Group Visa Holders: Individuals traveling under group (electronic) visas are not required to submit an e-Arrival Card.
Airline Crew Members: Crew members of airlines are exempt from this requirement.
https://www.humanresourcesonline.net/foreign-visitors-can-now-travel-to-south-korea-using-an-e-arrival-card?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Important Details:

The e-Arrival Card must be submitted up to 3 days before entry (Korean Standard Time).
It is valid for 72 hours from approval.
The e-Arrival Card is free—avoid third-party sites charging a fee.
If travelers forget to apply, they can fill out a paper arrival card at the airport.
Apply through the official e-Arrival Card website.
https://www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr/portal/main/index.do
For additional details, visit Korea’s official tourism website.
https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/contents/contentsView.do?vcontsId=221425

V. Final Tips

Check visa requirements early: Some visas take time to process, so don’t wait until the last minute.
Use official websites: Apply for visas, K-ETA, and e-Arrival Cards only through official sources to avoid scams.
Prepare the right documents: Ensure your passport has at least six months’ validity from your arrival date.
With the right visa and travel documents, you’ll be ready to explore South Korea hassle-free! Have an amazing trip!