Korea Visas & Passports

Quick Links:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade:

- http://www.mofat.go.kr (Korean, English)

Korea Immigration Service:

- http://www.immigration.go.kr (Korean, English)

Hi Korea:

- http://www.hikorea.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Foreign nationals entering the Republic of Korea are generally required to have a valid passport and a Korean visa. However, many are permitted visa-free entry for a limited time under certain conditions following the "Citizens of the Countries under the Visa Exemption Agreement" (see Tables 1, 2, & 3). 
As of January 1, 2014

[Table 1] Countries under Visa Exemption Agreement

[Table 1] Countries under Visa Exemption Agreement

Country	Applicable Passport Type	Period	Seafarer's Book  (for ferry arrivals)
ALGERIA	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
ANGOLA	Diplomatic, Government Official	30 Days	×
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA	Standard, Diplomatic,  Government Official	90 Days	○
AUSTRIA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	Standard: 90 Days/ Diplomatic & Government Official: 180 Days/ Resident government official: Incumbency
ARGENTINA	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
ARMENIA	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
AZERBAIJAN	Diplomatic, Government Official	30 Days	×
BAHAMAS	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	○
BANGLADESH	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	○
BARBADOS	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	○
BELARUS	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
BELGIUM	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	3 Months	×
BELIZE	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
BENIN	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
BOLIVIA	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
BRAZIL	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
BULGARIA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
CAMBODIA	Diplomatic, Government Official	60 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency
CHILE	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
CHINA	Diplomatic	30 Days	×
COLOMBIA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
COSTA RICA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	○
CROATIA	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days/ Standard (B-2, 30 Days)	×
CYPRUS	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
CZECH REPUBLIC	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
DENMARK	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	○
DOMINICAN REP	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
ECUADOR	Diplomatic, Government Official	Government Official: 3 Months/ Diplomatic: Unlimited	×
EGYPT	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
EL SALVADOR	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	○
ESTONIA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
FRANCE	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
FINLAND	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
GABON	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
GEORGIA	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
GERMANY	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	Standard: 90 Days/ Diplomatic & Government Official: Unlimited/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
GREECE	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	Standard: 90 Days/ Diplomatic & Government Official: Unlimited	×
GRENADA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	○
GUATEMALA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
HAITI	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	○
HUNGARY	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
ICELAND	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
INDIA	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
IRAN	Diplomatic, Government Official	3 Months	×
IRELAND	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
ISRAEL	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
ITALY	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
JAMAICA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	○
JAPAN	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	Standard: B-2 (90 Days)/ Diplomatic & Government Official: 90 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
KAZAKHSTAN	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
KYRGYZSTAN	Diplomatic, Government Official	30 Days	×
LAOS	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
LATVIA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
LESOTHO	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	60 Days	×
LIBERIA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	○
LIECHTENSTEIN	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
LITHUANIA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
LUXEMBURG	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	3 Months	×
MALAYSIA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	3 Months	×
MALTA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
MEXICO	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
MOLDOVA	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
MONGOLIA	Diplomatic, Government Official	30 Days	×
MOROCCO	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	○
NETHERLANDS	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	3 Months	×
NEW ZEALAND	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	3 Months/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
NICARAGUA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	○
NORWAY	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
PAKISTAN	Diplomatic, Government Official	3 Months	×
PANAMA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
PARAGUAY	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
PERU	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	○
PHILIPPINES	Diplomatic, Government Official	Unlimited	×
POLAND	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
PORTUGAL	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	60 Days	○
ROMANIA (D. O. S.)	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
RUSSIA	Standard (60 Days), Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
SINGAPORE	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
SLOVAKIA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
SPAIN	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	○
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	○
ST. LUCIA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	○
ST. VINCENT	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	○
SURINAME	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
SWEDEN	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	3 Months	×
SWITZERLAND	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	3 Months	×
TAJKISTAN	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
THAILAND	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	Standard: 90 Days/ Diplomatic & Government Official: Unlimited	○
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	○
TUNISIA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	30 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
TURKEY	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	3 Months	×
TURKMENISTAN	Diplomatic	30 Days	×
U.A.E.	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	30 Days	×
UKRAINE	Diplomatic	90 Days	×
UZBEKISTAN	Diplomatic	60 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
UNITED KINGDOM	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days	×
URUGUAY	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
VENEZUELA	Standard, Diplomatic, Government Official	Standard: 90 Days/ Diplomatic & Government Official: 30 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×
VIETNAM	Diplomatic, Government Official	90 Days/ Resident Government Official: Incumbency	×

[Table 2] Designated Countries & Regions Granted Visa-Free Entry to Korea 
*Allowed to stay in Korea for 30 days only (unless otherwise specified below) for the purposes of tourism and visitation.

[Table 2] Designated Countries & Regions Granted Visa-Free Entry to Korea 
*Allowed to stay in Korea for 30 days only (unless otherwise specified below) for the purposes of tourism and visitation.

	Countries
Asia	Japan (90 Days), Hong Kong (90 Days), Macao (90 Days), Taiwan (90 Days), Brunei, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain (90 Days)
North America	United States (90 Days), Canada (6 Months)
South America	Argentina, Honduras, Paraguay, Uruguay, Ecuador, Guyana
Europe	Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Cyprus, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia (90 Days), Vatican, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro
Oceania	Australia (90 Days), Guam, Fiji, Nauru, Palau, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tuvalu, Tonga
Africa	Republic of South Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles, Swaziland, Egypt

[Table 3] 2 Countries under Visa Exemption Agreement: Diplomatic/Government Official Passport Holders 
*Allowed to stay in Korea for 30 days only (unless otherwise specified below) for the purposes of tourism and visitation.

[Table 3] 2 Countries under Visa Exemption Agreement: Diplomatic/Government Official Passport Holders 
*Allowed to stay in Korea basically for 30 days only with the purpose of tourism and visiting for Visa-Free Entry to Korea.

	Country
Asia	Indonesia, Lebanon

♣ Tourism and Visits by Japanese Passport Holders

Japanese passport holders visiting Korea are permitted Visa-Free Entry to Korea.
*Period: 90 Days
*Allowed range of activity: Tourism, business, attending a conference, visit relatives, etc (except for getting a job or commercial activity)

♣ Visa-Free Entry to Jeju Island

*Applicable countries
-With the exception of the countries listed below that are not eligible for visa-free entry, most foreign nationals arriving at Jeju International Airport or passenger terminals for the purpose of tourism or transfer are eligible for visa-free entry
*Countries Not Eligible for Visa-Free Entry to Jeju Island (11 countries)
- Ghana, Nigeria, Libya, Macedonia, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Palestine
*Period: 30 Days
*Allowed region and range of activity: Jeju Island
*Conditions: Those eligible must take planes or ferries with direct routes to Jeju Island, or with Jeju Island listed as their final destination.

Type of Visa

*Tourist & Business Visas

Citizens from a country excluded from the Visa Exemption Agreement but granted visa-free entry and intending to stay in the country for 30 days or more must apply for a visa. (Generally, visa-free entry is possible for tourism or visiting purposes for up to 30 days. Canadian citizens can stay up to six months without a visa. Those from Macau, the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, Slovenia, Japan, Taiwan, and Bahrain can stay up to 90 days.) All visa applicants are required to submit a completed application form, a valid passport, a passport-sized (3.5cm x 4.5cm) color photo taken within six months of the application date, other documents as determined by the status of their country, and a visa processing fee. Applicants may be asked to submit additional documents if required for examination. Furthermore, visas may be extended for up to 90 days. All visas, including long-term visas, are for a single visit (single-entry visa). For business visas, the intention of the visit must be clearly stated on the visa application form. 

*Work Visa

With the sponsorship of an employer in Korea, a foreign national may obtain a Korean work visa in the applicant’s home country. Foreign nationals already residing in Korea must obtain a work visa from a Korean embassy or consulate outside of Korea. Work visas are usually valid for up to three years, starting from the date of issue. The work visa application process usually takes 1-2 weeks, but may differ depending on the applicant’s visa status. A foreign national can get his or her work visa extended if they continue to work for the same employer. Furthermore, foreign nationals residing and working in Korea must obtain a residence permit from the Immigration Office. Those who engage in remunerative activities without a work visa may be fined or, in some cases, deported.


* Non-professional employment work visas are valid for up to three years and may be extended for another year and 10 months (total of four years and 10 months) at the request of the same employer. Professional or technical employment work visas are valid for 2, 5, or 7 years, depending on the job.

Visa Application

1. ①Application for a Korean visa must be made at a Korean embassy or consulate outside Korea.
2. ②All visa applicants are required to submit a completed application form, a valid passport, a passport-sized (3.5cm x 4.5cm) color photo taken within six months of the application date, other documents as determined by the status of their country, and a visa processing fee. For detailed information, please visit the Hi Korea website:http://www.hikorea.go.kr.
3. ③The visa processing fees are as follows: 
   a. Single-entry visa (less than 90 days): US$ 30 
   b. Single-entry visa (more than 90 days): US$ 50
   c. Multiple-entry visa: US$ 80 
   d. Chinese group tourist visa: US$ 10 per person
4. 
   * Citizens from a country with a visa fee exemption agreement with Korea are exempted from the visa fee. For detailed information, please visit the Hi Korea website: http://www.hikorea.go.kr.
5. ** Countries that have not signed a visa fee exemption agreement with Korea but have an agreement with the Korean government that includes a provision of visa fee exemption are also exempt from visa processing fees.

Visa Extension

Tourist visas can be extended in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as an accident, health problem, flight cancellation, etc. Visitors must apply for a visa extension at a local immigration office. Visa extension applications must be submitted to an immigration office two months prior to the expiration date of the current visa. There is a fine if the visa extension is applied for after the period of sojourn has expired.

Sample of Republic of Korea Visa

1. ① Visa Number: Visa issuance serial number
2. ② Status: Classification of visa holders by activity or status while in Korea
3. ③ Period of Sojourn: Permitted term of stay starting from the date of entry into Korea
4. ④ Visa Type: Type of visa such as single-entry, multiple-entry, etc. (S: single-entry visa, M: multiple-entry visa)
5. ⑤ Issue Date: The date the visa was issued
6. ⑥ Expiration Date: Valid term of visa, i.e. the date until the visa remains effective. The visa holder must depart Korea before this date. Visa is automatically rendered void after this date.
7. ⑦ Issuing Place: Information on the location where the visa was issued