Types of South Korea visas

The South Korean eVisa is an electronic visa that allows eligible travelers to apply for and receive a visa to enter South Korea without the need to visit an embassy or consulate in person.

To apply for a South Korean student visa, you will need the following documents:

  • Single-entry Visa : You can enter once before the expiry date
  • Double-entry Visa : You can enter twice before the expiry date (6 months)
  • Multiple-entry Visa : You can enter unlimited times before the expiry date (1 year, 3 years, 5 years)

Note: Requirements may vary depending on the embassy or consulate, so be sure to check the specific guidelines before applying.

There are many types of South Korean Visa:

  • Short term visit
  • Professional
  • Investment
  • Medical Treatment
  • Work & Visit
  • Trainee
  • Intra-Company Transfer
  • International Trade
  • Family visitor- Dependent family
  • Non- Professional
  • Study-Language & Training
  • Journalism - Religious affairs
  • Overseas Korean
  • Marriage migrant
  • Diplomacy- Official Business

Yes, there are several types of South Korean visas for various purposes such as: The type of visa you need will depend on your purpose of visit and how long you plan to stay in South Korea.

  • Short term visit : A short term visit typically refers to a temporary stay in a place for a brief period of time, usually for tourism, business, or personal reasons.
    • Visa Exempted (B-1)
    • Tourist / Transit (General) (B-2-1)
    • Tourist / Transit (Jeju) (B-2-2)
    • Short-Term General (C-3-1)
    • Group Tourist (C-3-2)
    • Business Visitor (General) (C-3-4)
    • Business Visitor (Agreement) (C-3-5)
    • Business Visitor (Sponsored) (C-3-6)
    • Short term Visitor (Overseas Korean) (C-3-8)
    • Ordinary Tourist (C-3-9)
    • Working Holiday (H-1)
    • Direct Transit Visa(Air-side)(C-3-10)
  • Professional: The South Korean professional visa (also known as an E-7 visa) is a type of work visa for foreign nationals who wish to work in South Korea in certain skilled occupations such as IT, engineering, science, or academia. Requirements for this visa may include:
    • Short-Term Employee (C-4)
    • Job Seeker (D-10-1)
    • Business Startup (D-10-2)
    • Professor (E-1)
    • Foreign Language Instructor (General) (E-2-1)
    • Teaching Assistant (E-2-2)
    • Foreign Language Instructor (by FTA) (E-2-91)
    • Researcher (E-3)
    • Technical Instructor / Technician (E-4)
    • Professional (E-5)
    • Artist (E-6-1)
    • Hotel and Adult Entertainment (E-6-2)
    • Athlete (E-6-3)
    • Foreign National of Special Ability (E-7-1)
    • Independent Professional (by FTA) (E-7-91)
    • Special talent (F-5-11)
  • Investment : The South Korean investment visa (also known as the D-8 visa) is a type of visa for foreign investors who wish to start or manage a business in South Korea.
    • Incorporated Enterprise (D-8-1)
    • Business Venture (D-8-2)
    • Unincorporated Enterprise (D-8-3)
    • Technology and Business Startup (D-8-4)
    • Intra-Company Transferee (by FTA) (D-8-91)
    • Big Investor (F-5-5)
  • Medical Treatment : The South Korean medical treatment visa is a type of visa for foreign nationals who wish to receive medical treatment in South Korea.
    • Medical Tourist (C-3-3)
    • Treatment and Recuperation (G-1-10)
  • Work & Visit: A work and visit visa is a type of visa that allows foreign nationals to both work and travel in a foreign country for a specific period of time. This type of visa is designed for individuals who wish to combine work and leisure activities, and typically has restrictions on the type and duration of work that can be performed.
    • Work and Visit (Family Connection) (H-2-1)
    • Work and Visit (Parents/Spouse of D-2 Student) (H-2-2)
    • Work and Visit (By lottery) (H-2-5)
    • Work and Visit (Expired visa) (H-2-7)
  • Trainee : The South Korean trainee visa (also known as a D-4 visa) is a type of visa for foreign nationals who wish to participate in a training program in South Korea.
    • Korean Arts and Culture (D1-00)
    • Industrial Trainee (D-3-11)
    • Industrial Trainee (Technology) (D-3-12)
    • Industrial Trainee (Plant) (D-3-13)
    • General Trainee (Others) (D-4-2)
    • Trainee Chef (Korean Cuisine) (D-4-5)
    • General Trainee (Private Institute) (D-4-6)
  • Intra-Company Transfer : The South Korean Intra-Company Transfer visa is a type of work visa for foreign nationals who are being transferred within the same company to a branch or affiliate in South Korea.
    • Intra-Company Transferee (Foreign Company) (D-7-1)
    • Intra-Company Transferee (Domestic Company) (D-7-2)
    • Intra-Company Transferee (by FTA) (D-7-91)
    • Contractual Service Supplier (by FTA) (D-7-92)
  • International Trade: The South Korean International Trade visa is a type of visa for foreign nationals who are engaged in international trade activities in South Korea.
    • International Trade (D-9-1)
    • Technician (Industrial Machinery) (D-9-2)
    • Technician (Ship Building) (D-9-3)
    • Individual Foreign Business Man (D-9-4)
  • Family visitor- Dependent family : The South Korean Dependent family visa (also known as a F-3 visa) is a type of visa for foreign nationals who are the spouse or dependent children of a South Korean national or foreign national with valid residency status in South Korea.
    • Cohabitee of diplomat/foreign government official (F-1-3)
    • Spouse/underage children of F-4 Overseas Korean (F-1-9)
    • Parents of international student (F-1-13)
    • Underage children of Korean National (F-2-2)
    • Spouse of permanent resident (F-2-3)
    • Dependent Family (F-3-1)
  • Non- Professional : The South Korean Non-Professional visa (also known as an E-9 visa) is a type of work visa for foreign nationals who are engaged in non-professional work activities in South Korea, such as manual labor or other unskilled activities.
    • Manufacturing (E-9-1)
    • Construction (E-9-2)
    • Agriculture (E-9-3)
    • Fishery (E-9-4)
    • Service (E-9-5)
    • Coastal Crew (E-10-1)
    • Fishing ship crew (E-10-2)
    • Cruise Ship Crew (E-10-3)
    • Household assistant of diplomat (F-1-21)
    • Household assistant of big investor (F-1-22)
    • Household assistant of high-tech investor (F-1-23)
    • Household assistant of professional (F-1-24)
  • Study-Language & Training : The South Korean Language & Training visa (also known as a D-4 visa) is a type of visa for foreign nationals who wish to study Korean language or participate in a training program in South Korea.
    • Associate Degree (D-2-1)
    • Bachelor's Degree (D-2-2)
    • Master's Degree (D-2-3)
    • Doctoral Degree (D-2-4)
    • Research Study (D-2-5)
    • Exchange Student (D-2-6)
    • Korean Language Trainee (D-4-1)
    • Student (Elementary, Middle, High School) (D-4-3)
    • Foreign Language Trainee (D-4-7)
  • Journalism - Religious affairs : The South Korean Journalism and Religious Affairs visa is a type of visa for foreign nationals who are engaged in journalism or religious activities in South Korea.
    • Short-Term News Coverage (C-1)
    • Long-term News Coverage (D-5)
    • Religious Worker (D-6)
  • Overseas Korean: The South Korean Overseas Korean visa (also known as a F-4 visa) is a type of visa for foreign nationals of Korean descent who wish to reside in South Korea.
    • Overseas Korean (F-4-11)
    • Descendant of Overseas Korean (F-4-12)
    • Former D or E visa holder (F-4-13)
    • University Graduates (F-4-14)
    • Permanent resident of OECD country (F-4-15)
    • Corporate Executive (F-4-16)
    • Entrepreneur of $100,000 (F-4-17)
    • Multinational Company (F-4-18)
    • Representative of overseas Koreans organization (F-4-19)
    • Government Employee (F-4-20)
    • Teacher (F-4-21)
    • Person of Age 60 or older (F-4-25)
  • Marriage migrant : The South Korean Marriage Migrant visa (also known as a F-6 visa) is a type of visa for foreign nationals who are married to a South Korean national and wish to reside in South Korea.
    • Spouse of a Korean National (F-6-1)
    • Child Raising (F-6-2)
  • Diplomacy- Official Business: The South Korean Diplomacy and Official Business visa (also known as a A-1/A-2 visa) is a type of visa for foreign diplomats or officials who are posted to South Korea for official business.
    • Diplomacy (A-1)
    • Foreign Government Official (A-2)

How to apply South Korea visa

  • e-Visa Application via the Visa Portal
    • Confirmation of Visa Issuance Application via the Visa Portal
  • Visa Application via Korean Diplomatic Missions Abroad
    • Confirmation of Visa Issuance Application via Korean Immigration

South Korea e-Visa Application via the Visa Portal

The South Korean government has introduced an e-Visa system for certain eligible foreign nationals, which allows them to apply for a South Korean visa online through the official visa portal.

The following are the general steps for e-Visa application via the visa portal:

  • Check eligibility for e-Visa: Not all foreign nationals are eligible for e-Visa application, check the eligibility criteria on the visa portal.
  • Create an account on the visa portal
  • Complete the online application form, upload the required documents and pay the visa fee
  • Wait for processing of your application, which may take several days
  • Receive your e-Visa via email, if approved

It is recommended to check the most up-to-date visa requirements and procedures on the official visa portal of the South Korean government.

Confirmation of Visa Issuance Application via the Visa Portal

To check the status of your South Korean eVisa, you can follow these steps:

  • Go to the official website
  • Look for the "Visa Inquiry" or "Check Application Status & Print" section
  • Enter the necessary information such as your Application number, passport number and date of birth or name in English (Type your name as shown in your passport) to log in
  • Check the status of your visa application.
  • If you are unable to check the status online,

South Korea Visa Application via Korean Diplomatic Missions Abroad

To apply for a South Korean visa through a Korean diplomatic mission abroad.

The following general steps may be followed:

  • Determine the type of visa you need based on your purpose of visit
  • Check the requirements for the specific visa category you need
  • Collect the required documents, including a passport, application form, and supporting materials
  • Submit your application and pay the visa fee in person at a Korean diplomatic mission abroad
  • Attend an interview or provide biometric information if required
  • Wait for processing of your application, which may take several weeks

Confirmation of Visa Issuance Application via Korean Immigration

To check South Korea visa status, follow these steps:

  • Visit the official website of the Korean immigration service at
  • Click on "VISA Inquiry" in the "Check Application Status & Print" section.
  • Enter your Application number, passport number and date of birthor name in English (Type your name as shown in your passport).
  • Check the status of your visa application.

Note: If you have applied for a visa through a Korean embassy or consulate, you may need to contact them directly for information on your visa status.

Frequently asked questions

The following documents are generally required for a South Korea visa application:

  • Passport: Valid for at least 6 months with at least one blank visa page.
  • Application form: Completely filled out and signed.
  • Photo: Recent passport-style photo.
  • Proof of financial support: Bank statements or pay slips showing sufficient funds to cover expenses in South Korea.
  • Proof of accommodation: Confirmation of hotel booking or invitation letter from a host in South Korea.
  • Return flight ticket: Confirmation of your return flight or onward travel arrangements.
  • Purpose of trip: Proof of the reason for your trip, such as a business invitation or conference registration.
  • Employment certificate: If employed, a certificate from your employer stating your position, salary, and length of employment.

Note: Requirements may vary depending on the type of visa and the purpose of the trip

To visit your child who is studying in Korea, you can apply for a short-term visitor visa that allows you to stay in the country for up to 90 days. If necessary, please visit a jurisdictional Immigration office before your current visa expires so they can extend its validity period.

The duration of stay is the maximum number of days that you can legally spend in a country from the date you enter. Expiry date is when your visa becomes invalid and states when an immigrant has to leave or risk being illegal. Immigration officials will reject your entry if you do not have a valid visa.