South Korea Visa for Indians

About South Korea Visa

South Korea is a fascinating country where you find a combination of rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and modern cities like Seoul. If you are planning to visit South Korea for tourism, business, study, or work, you must apply for a South Korea visa first. Before we get into the South Korea visa requirements, here are some key facts about this country.

Features of South Korea Visa

Here are the key features of the South Korea visa requirements for Indian citizens:

• Express Visa: South Korea offers Express Visa within 3 working days to specified Indians who have previously visited South Korea through valid visas.
• Medical certificate for TB: Before applying for certain long-stay visas to South Korea, you must obtain a health certificate from designated hospitals stating that you do not have Tuberculosis.

South Korea Visa Fees

Here's a summary of the South Korea visa fees that you have to pay based on the duration and number of entries allowed for your visa type.

*Visa fee subject to exchange rate fluctuations

South Korea Visa Types

Before we explain how to apply for a South Korea visa, you must understand the various visa types. There are several South Korea visa types meant for different travel purposes.

Documents Required to Apply for a South Korea Visa

Applicants must submit several documents while applying for a South Korea visa from India. Here's a table outlining the documents needed for a South Korea tourist visa (visa type C-3-9).

Documents Required for South Korea Business Visa

Those visiting South Korea for business meetings, signing contracts, international trading, market research, etc., can apply for a Business Visitor (General) visa C-3-4. In addition to a passport, application form, and photos, you must submit additional documents described below.

Documents Required for South Korea Student Visa

Here's a table outlining the documents needed for a South Korea student visa (visa type D).

Documents Required for South Korea Work Visa

You can visit South Korea as a job-seeker, a professional, a professor, a startup founder, an artist or an athlete. For work-related purposes, you must apply for a visa type D or E with the following additional documents.

Who Can Apply for a South Korea Visa?

You are eligible to apply for a South Korea visa from India if you are:

• You are an Indian citizen with a valid passport who is visiting South Korea for valid travel purposes like tourism, family visits, study, employment, or business.
• You have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay in South Korea.
• You satisfy the additional eligibility criteria described for the specific type of visa you are applying for.

While not mandatory, make sure to buy South Korea travel insurance for your trip. It will protect you from many financial emergencies during your stay in Korea. From abrupt flight cancellations to medical emergencies, you can avoid many out-of-pocket expenses during your trip.

How to Apply for a South Korea Visa?

You can apply for a South Korea visa electronically or by submitting an application to the Korean embassy in India. Certain visa types, such as short-term general visas, medical tourist visas, business visitor visas, and short-term employee visas, are eligible for an e-visa. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a South Korea visa from India electronically.

• Visit the official Korean e-visa portal, click on 'Application' and select 'e-Form Visa'.
• Click on the 'Fill out the form' button at the bottom to view the visa form.
• Select the diplomatic office you would visit, the purpose of your trip, and your desired visa type.
• Attach your photo complying with the South Korea visa photo requirements and fill out the form with your personal details.
• Make the payment for your visa application fee during your appointment. Note that this fee is usually non-refundable.
• Print the e-form that has a bar code and submit it to the Korean embassy in your jurisdiction. The form should clearly display a bar code. Submit it along with your passport, photographs, visa fee receipt and documents.
• Be patient during South Korea visa processing time and await the outcome of your application. South Korea visa processing time is around 10 days for a regular application and 3 days for an Express Visa application.

How to Check South Korea Visa Status

During the processing time, you can check your South Korea visa status online. Follow these simple steps to check your South Korea visa Status.

• Visit the official Korea Visa Portal and click on 'Check Application Status'.
• Select the type of visa application.
• Enter your passport number, your name in English, and your date of birth.
• Click on 'Search' to reveal your South Korea visa status.

Also Read: What is South Korea Famous For?