South Korea
South Korea visa guide
- 16 visa types
- checked 25 October 2026
How visas for South Korea work
Nationals of countries with a visa waiver agreement or visa-free entry may stay in South Korea for tourism, family visits, conferences and business meetings for the period set for their nationality, often 90 days, but most of them must first obtain a K-ETA electronic travel authorisation. Anyone refused a K-ETA, nationals of countries without visa-free entry, and anyone who wants to work, study or stay longer, need a visa.
Korea uses alphanumeric statuses of stay: C for short stays, D for study, investment and job seeking, E for employment, F for residence and family and H for working visits. Visas are applied for at the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for the applicant's place of residence, under its own appointment and document rules. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes basic visa fees of USD 40 for a single entry of up to 90 days, USD 60 for 91 days or more, USD 70 for double entry and USD 90 for multiple entry, with adjusted fees or exemptions for some passports.
After arrival, long-stay residents register within 90 days at the immigration office to obtain a residence card. Extensions, changes of status and most permits are handled inside Korea at immigration offices with an appointment booked through HiKorea.
Which visa do I need?
Up to 90 days for holidays, family visits or meetings: K-ETA. Short paid assignments under 90 days: C-4. University degree: D-2; Korean language course: D-4-1. Researchers invited by a Korean institute: E-3; professionals with a job offer: E-7. Looking for a job after study or with good qualifications: D-10.
Managers sent by a foreign company: D-7. Foreign investors putting at least KRW 100 million into a Korean company: D-8-1; technology founders: D-8-4. Married to a Korean citizen: F-6-1. Family of a foreign worker or student: F-3. Long-term residents and large investors: F-5 permanent residence.
Visa types for South Korea
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa C-3 short-term visit visa (C-3-9 ordinary tourist, C-3-1 general)
Most visitors from visa-waiver countries enter Korea with a K-ETA.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days
Business and self-employment
- Business visa C-3-4 short-term business visit and C-4 short-term employment
Business visitors who only hold meetings, do market research, negotiate or sign contracts enter visa-free with a K-ETA or, if needed, on a C-3-4 visa.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days - Investor visa D-8-1 corporate investment visa (foreign-invested company)
D-8-1 is for essential professionals who manage or work in production or technology at a company with foreign investment under Korea's Foreign Investment Promotion Act.
Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel - Entrepreneur and start-up visa D-8-4 technology start-up visa and D-8-2 venture business visa
D-8-4 is Korea's start-up visa for founders of a corporation who hold intellectual property or equivalent technology and have a degree (a Korean associate degree or higher, or a bachelor's degree or higher from abroad) or a recommendation from a central government agency.
Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel
Study and training
- Student visa D-2 study visa (degree, exchange and research study)
The D-2 visa is for degree programmes at Korean colleges and universities (associate, bachelor's, master's, doctorate), research study and exchange semesters.
Maximum stay: Period of stay granted according to the study programme; register within 90 days - Language course visa D-4-1 Korean language trainee visa
The D-4-1 visa is for people with at least a high-school diploma who will study Korean at a language institute attached to a Korean university or college.
Maximum stay: Granted per course term; register within 90 days if staying longer - Researcher visa E-3 research visa
The E-3 visa is for researchers invited by a Korean public or private institute to carry out research and development in advanced industrial technology or the natural sciences.
Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel
Work
- Skilled worker visa E-7 specially designated activities (E-7-1 professionals; E-7-4 skilled worker points visa)
E-7 is Korea's main visa for foreign professionals: it covers people working under a contract with a Korean public or private organisation in a field designated by the Minister of Justice for national competitiveness.
Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel - Job seeker visa D-10 job seeker visa (D-10-1 job seeking, D-10-2 start-up preparation)
The D-10-1 visa allows qualified foreigners to stay in Korea to look for work or do training, including short paid internships, in fields covered by the professional statuses E-1 to E-7.
Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel - Intra-company transfer visa D-7 intra-company transferee visa
The D-7 visa is for employees who have worked at least one year at a foreign public institution or at the headquarters, branch or other office of a foreign company and are dispatched to its affiliate, subsidiary or branch in Korea in a role requiring expertise.
Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel
Family
- Spouse and partner visa F-6-1 marriage migrant visa (spouse of a Korean national)
F-6-1 is for foreign spouses who want to live in Korea with their Korean husband or wife.
Processing time: Usually a month or more; longer if documents are checked, an interview or field investigation is needed - Family reunification visa F-3 dependent family visa
F-3 lets the spouse and unmarried minor children of foreigners holding statuses from D-1 to E-7 live with them in Korea.
Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel
Residence
- Golden visa and residence by investment Immigrant Investor Scheme for Public Business (F-2 residence by investment)
Under the Immigrant Investor Scheme for Public Business, foreigners who invest at least KRW 500 million, or KRW 300 million for retiree investors over 55, in a Ministry of Justice public fund or designated development projects receive the Resident (F-2) status.
- Permanent residence F-5 permanent residence
F-5 is Korea's permanent residence status.
Maximum stay: Indefinite; the permanent residence card is renewed
Online travel permits
- Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)
K-ETA is the online travel authorisation that visa-exempt foreigners need before boarding a flight or ship to South Korea.
Maximum stay: As set for your nationality in the K-ETA eligibility list, 90 days per visit for many countries
Asylum and international protection
- Asylum and international protection Refugee status under the Refugee Act
South Korea joined the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol in 1992 and has had a separate Refugee Act since 1 July 2013.
Processing time: Decision within 6 months of the application, extendable by up to 6 months
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for South Korea?
Not for short visits if your nationality has visa-free entry, but most visa-exempt travellers need a K-ETA before boarding. Nationals of other countries need a visa, and work, study and longer stays always need one.
How much does a Korean visa cost?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes basic fees of USD 40 for a single entry up to 90 days, USD 60 for a single entry of 91 days or more, USD 70 for double entry and USD 90 for multiple entry. Some passports pay adjusted fees, for example USD 45 for US citizens, and some are exempt; the mission sets the payment method.
How long does a Korean visa take?
Each Korean mission sets its own processing time, and marriage visas usually take longer because the documents are checked in detail. Apply at least a month before travel.
Where do I apply for a Korean visa?
At the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence, following its appointment rules. If a Korean employer, university or host has obtained a Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance in Korea, you present its number at the mission with a reduced set of documents.
What happens if my K-ETA is refused?
You must apply for a visa, usually C-3, at the Korean embassy or consulate for your place of residence; mention the K-ETA refusal when you apply.
How much money do I need to show?
It depends on the visa and the mission. Korean missions set their own proof-of-funds rules for visitors; for work visas an employment contract stating the salary usually serves as proof, and D-2, D-4, F-3 and F-6 applicants follow the rules of their own category.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 25 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.