What is a VISA?

A visa can be defined in two ways: as an "entry permit confirmation" that acknowledges a foreigner to enter a country, or as a "consular recommendation act" for a foreigner's entry permit application.
In South Korea, it is understood in the latter sense. It is a "consular recommendation act" for a foreigner's entry permit application.
Therefore, even if a foreigner has a visa, entry may be denied if the immigration officer at the airport or seaport determines that the entry requirements are not met.

Cases Where Entry Without a Visa is Permitted

• In principle, a visa is a basic requirement for one to be allowed entry into a country, and foreigners who wish to enter South Korea must generally hold a visa.
• However, the following individuals can enter without a visa (Article 7, Paragraph 2 of the Immigration Control Act):
  • A person who has been granted a re-entry permit or exempted from a re-entry permit and enters the country before the expiration of the period for which the permit or exemption is granted
  • A national of a country that has signed a visa waiver agreement with the Republic of Korea and who is exempted under the agreement
  • Persons entering South Korea for international friendship, tourism, or the interests of South Korea, and who have been granted an entry permit as prescribed by the Presidential Decree.
  • A person who has been issued a refugee travel certificate and leaves the country and re-enters the country before the expiration of the validity period.

Types of Visas

Single-Entry Visa

• Allows entry only once within the validity period.
• Validity: 3 months from the date of issuance.

Multiple-Entry Visa

• Allows entry twice or more within the validity period.
• Validity: From the date of issuance
  • Visas under Diplomatic (A-1) or Agreement (A-3) categories are valid for up to 3 years.
  • Visas issued under a multiple-entry visa issuance agreement are valid for the period specified in the agreement.
  • Visas issued considering reciprocity, national interest, or other factors have a validity period determined separately by the Minister of Justice.

Important Notes

• If a person who requested visa issuance approval enters the country before the approval decision is made, the application will be considered abandoned, and will be denied.
• If you wish to receive a visa more than three months after the visa application date or the date you received the Minister of Justice's approval notification, you must reapply for the visa.

  Residence Status	Preparation Before Entry	Entry	Stay	Departure
  Visa Waiver (B-1) Tourist Transit (B-2)	In cases of [visa-free entry], entry into South Korea is possible without a visa. Visa-Free Entry	Passport + Immigration Card	Extension of Stay Change of Status of Stay	Passport
  Short-Term Visit (C-3)	Those who intend to stay for a period not exceeding 90 days for sightseeing, transit, medical treatment, friendly visits, friendly games, participation in or observation of various events or meetings, cultural activities, general training, lectures, attendance at religious ceremonies, collection of academic data, or other similar purposes Tourists and transiting individuals, including group tourists and individual tourists Short-term visitors under foreign patient visas Commercial activities such as market research, business contacts, consultations, contracts, etc., and APEC Card holders entering without a visa Those who have received an invitation from a company or organization that has been selected as a preferential enterprise Excluding for-profit purposes Visa Issuance Eligibility / Procedure / Required Documents	Passport + Visa + Immigration Card	Extension of Stay

Visa Application Fees

• Single-entry visa for a stay of 90 days or less : USD 40 equivalent
• Single-entry visa for a stay of 91 days or more : Equivalent to USD 60
• Multiple-entry visa for up to 2 entries : Equivalent to USD 70
• Multiple-entry visa with unlimited number of entries : Equivalent to USD 90
• Group tourists (China, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, India) : Equivalent to USD 15 per person

Fees are waived for nationals of countries with which a fee exemption agreement has been established.