South Korea

Embassies and consulates in South Korea

embassies in Seoul

Diplomatic missions from 86 countries are based in South Korea, 102 missions in all (85 embassies, 12 consulates, 4 honorary consulates and 1 other office). Most embassies, 84 of 85, are in the capital, Seoul. Consulates are also found in Busan, Jeju City and Gwangju.

Asia

South Korea

Capital
Seoul
Population
51,684,564
Currency
South Korean Won (KRW)
Calling code
+82
Languages
Korean, English
  • 102missions
  • 85embassies
  • 12consulates
  • 4honorary consulates
Visa-free: 114 destinations#2 in the world

Map

All missions in South Korea

Other cities in South Korea

Outside Seoul, missions are found in Busan (12), Jeju City (3) and Gwangju (1); most of them are consulates general, consulates and honorary consulates.

By country

  1. China 6
  2. Japan 3
  3. Canada 2
  4. Switzerland 2
  5. Germany 2
  6. Italy 2
  7. Mongolia 2
  8. Russia 2
Show all 86

Visa rules for South Korea

How the world’s passports enter South Korea198 in total

  • Visa-free62
  • Electronic travel authorisation48
  • e-Visa88

South Korea visa guide · 16 visa types

Visa rules

Of the 198 passports in the visa data, 62 can enter visa-free, 48 need an ETA and 88 need an e-Visa for South Korea.

Visa statistics

Schengen visa applications in South Korea

YearApplicationsVisas issuedRefusedRefusal rateMultiple-entry share
2023 3,8183,29045112.0% 16.0%
2024 (part of the year) 4,3623,80047411.0% 14.6%
2025 5,1614,45958311.5% 17.1%

By Schengen state, 2025

CountryApplicationsVisas issuedRefusal rate
Spain 8257453.6%
Italy 7857099.7%
Germany 7016329.2%
France 68157912.1%
Netherlands 38531118.7%
Belgium 32219836.1%
Czech Republic 3073041.0%
Switzerland 2862647.3%
Austria 26318726.4%
Portugal 1361248.8%
Hungary 1159515.9%
Poland 104949.3%

Schengen consulates in South Korea received 5,161 short-stay visa applications in 2025, and issued 4,459 visas. 11.5% of applications were refused (worldwide: 14.6%). That is barely different from 2024 (11.0%). Applications rose by 18% compared with 2024 (4,362).

Most applications went to Spain (825), Italy (785), Germany (701) and France (681).

Among the states with at least 500 applications, the lowest refusal rate was Spain’s (3.6%) and the highest France’s (12.1%).

Bulgaria and Romania began issuing Schengen visas on 31 March 2024, so their 2024 figures cover part of the year. The numbers include every nationality applying in South Korea.

Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates 2023–2025 (© European Union, reused under CC BY 4.0). Short-stay (type C) visas. How these figures are made

US visas issued to citizens of South Korea

Visas issuedFY 2024FY 2025
Visitor (B)15,51412,226
Student (F, M)16,63513,468
Exchange (J)12,84411,165
Work and treaty (H, L, O, E…)20,26319,477
Transit and crew (C, D)5,6925,487
Diplomatic and official (A, G)3,7103,800
Fiancé(e) (K)201132
Total74,85965,755
B visa refusal rate (adjusted)15.0%24.7%

In fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 to September 2025) the United States issued 65,755 nonimmigrant visas to citizens of South Korea, the 20th highest number of the 206 nationalities listed. Work and treaty visas (H, L, O, E and others) made up 30%, student visas 20% and visitor visas 19%. That is 12% fewer than in fiscal year 2024 (74,859).

From October 2025 to February 2026, citizens of South Korea received 29,715, 24% more than in the same months a year earlier.

For visitor visas (B1/B2) the State Department reports an adjusted refusal rate of 24.7% for citizens of South Korea in fiscal year 2025 (fiscal year 2024: 15.0%).

Source: US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly nonimmigrant visa issuances up to February 2026 and adjusted refusal rates (public domain). US fiscal years run from October to September. How these figures are made

United States visa for citizens of South Korea

South Korea’s own missions abroad

South Korea’s embassies abroad (218)

In the other direction, South Korea runs 218 missions in 127 countries. Its largest networks are in the United States (17), Japan (11), China (9), Germany (8) and Russia (7).

Upcoming closures

Public holidays in South Korea

  • Christmas Day

    Friday

  • New Year's Day

    Friday

  • Lunar New Year

    Saturday

  • Lunar New Year

    Monday

Good to know

Where the embassies are

Most embassies, 84 of 85, are in the capital, Seoul. The largest foreign networks in South Korea are those of China (6), Japan (3), Canada (2), Switzerland (2) and Germany (2).

Travel advice for South Korea

Foreign ministries’ advice on travel to South Korea: the US State Department rates South Korea at Level 1, exercise normal precautions (updated 27 May 2025), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to South Korea (updated 14 May 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for South Korea (updated 13 October 2026). The advice is aimed at each government’s own nationals.

Frequently asked questions

Which country has the most consulates in South Korea?

China, with 6 missions, followed by Japan (3).

Do I need a visa for South Korea?

Of 198 passports, 62 can enter visa-free, 48 need an ETA and 88 need an e-Visa for South Korea; the visa rules page for your own passport has the answer for you.

When are embassies in South Korea closed?

On South Korea’s public holidays and on each mission’s own national day; the next public holiday is Christmas Day on Friday 25 December 2026.