South KoreaVisits and short stays

South Korea tourist visa (C-3)

C-3 short-term visit visa (C-3-9 ordinary tourist, C-3-1 general)

In short

Most visitors from visa-waiver countries enter Korea with a K-ETA. The C-3 short-term visit visa is for nationals of other countries, for travellers refused a K-ETA and for anyone else needing a visa for tourism, family visits, conferences or similar short stays of up to 90 days without paid work.

Apply on Korea Visa Portal (Ministry of Justice) checked 25 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Up to 90 days
Validity
Enter within three months of the visa issue date
Fee
US$40Basic Korean visa fee for a single entry of up to 90 days (USD 60 for 91 days or more, USD 70 double, USD 90 multiple). Some passports pay adjusted fees or are exempt.
Funds required
Korean missions set their own proof-of-funds rules for visitors; show enough means for the whole stay in the form the mission where you apply asks for.
Processing time
Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel
Work
No paid activity
Where to apply
At the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence, following its appointment rules

Who needs a C-3 visa

Nationals of countries without visa-free entry need a C-3 visa for any visit, and nationals of visa-waiver countries need one if their K-ETA is refused. Apply at the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence; missions set their own rules for applicants who are not nationals of the country where they apply, so check them before booking an appointment.

Purpose-specific documents

Independent travel: a detailed itinerary, hotel booking and flight reservation. Family visit: an invitation, the host's ID such as a Korean residence card, a family relationship document, a personal reference (guarantee) letter and the flight booking. Documents from Korea, such as invitations and guarantee letters, must be Korean-notarised originals; scans and copies are not accepted.

Required documents

Identity

  • Original passport valid at least six months beyond travel, plus a copy

Travel

  • Flight reservation and, for independent trips, itinerary and hotel booking

Money

  • Proof of sufficient funds for the stay, in the form the mission asks for (not needed if a work contract states the salary)

Other

  • Completed visa application form and one recent colour photo 3.5 x 4.5 cm

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Identity

  • If you are not a national of the country where you apply: proof of legal residence there

Family

  • Family visit: Korean-notarised invitation and guarantee letter, host's ID and proof of relationship

Proof of funds

Korean missions ask visitors to show that they can pay for the stay, usually with recent bank statements in the applicant's own name. The amount and the documents accepted are set by each mission, so check its checklist. If you are invited by family in Korea, the host's guarantee letter supports the file.

Fee and timing

The basic fee is USD 40 for a single entry of up to 90 days; some passports pay adjusted fees or are exempt, and missions decide the payment method. Processing times differ between missions and cannot be shortened for a booked flight, so apply at least one month before travel.

How to apply, step by step

  1. Confirm why you need a visa (for example a K-ETA refusal) and choose C-3-9 (tourism) or the C-3 subtype for your purpose.
  2. Check the application rules of the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence and book an appointment if it requires one.
  3. Fill in the visa application form and prepare original documents; papers issued in Korea should be originals.
  4. Submit the application as the mission requires and pay the visa fee.
  5. Wait for the decision; processing times differ between missions, so apply well before travel.
  6. Enter Korea within three months of issue and register as a foreign resident within 90 days of entry.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a C-3 visa if I have K-ETA approval?

No. With an approved K-ETA, a national of a visa-waiver country enters without a visa for the stay allowed for that nationality.

Can I extend a C-3 stay in Korea?

Short-term visits are generally not extended except for compelling reasons such as illness; apply at the immigration office before your stay ends.

Is the visa fee the same for every nationality?

No. The basic fee is USD 40 for up to 90 days, but some passports pay adjusted fees, for example USD 45 for US citizens and USD 130 for UK citizens, and some are exempt.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for South Korea

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days
  • Investor visa 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 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 Maximum stay: Period of stay granted according to the study programme; register within 90 days
  • Language course visa Maximum stay: Granted per course term; register within 90 days if staying longer
  • Researcher visa 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 Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel
  • Job seeker visa 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 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 Processing time: Usually a month or more; longer if documents are checked, an interview or field investigation is needed
  • Family reunification visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel

Residence

Online travel permits

Protection

South Korea visa guide