However, citizens of the 99 countries listed below are permitted to enter Korea for a limited time without a visa according to visa-exemption agreements (Table 1), orin accordance with principles reciprocity or national interest (Table 2).
Countries under Visa Exemption Agreements
Country/Period(days) | Country/Period(days) | Country/Period(days) |
---|---|---|
Europe | ||
Austria / 90 | Belgium / 90 | Bulgaria / 90 |
Czech Republic / 90 | Denmark / 90 | Estonia / 90 |
Finland / 90 | France / 90 | Greece / 90 |
Germany / 90 | Hungary / 90 | Iceland / 90 |
Ireland / 90 | Italy / 60 | Liechtenstein / 90 |
Luxembourg / 90 | Malta / 90 | Netherlands / 90 |
Norway / 90 | Portugal / 60 | Poland / 90 |
Romania / 90 | Spain / 90 | Slovak Republic / 90 |
Sweden / 90 | Switzerland / 90 | United Kingdom / 90 |
Asia and Oceania | ||
Bangladesh / 90 | Israel / 90 | Malaysia / 90 |
New Zealand / 90 | Pakistan / 90 | Singapore / 90 |
Thailand / 90 | Turkey / 90 | - |
Americas | ||
Antigua and Barbuda / 90 | Bahamas / 90 | Barbados / 90 |
Brazil / 90 | Colombia / 90 | Costa Rica / 90 |
Common wealth of Dominica / 90 | Dominican Republic / 90 | El Salvador / 90 |
Grenada / 90 | Haiti / 90 | Jamaica / 90 |
Mexico / 90 | Nicaragua / 90 | Panama / 90 |
Peru / 90 | St. Lucia / 90 | St. Kitts and Nevis / 90 |
St. Vincent &the Grenadines / 90 | Surinam / 90 | Trinidad and Tobago / 90 |
Africa | ||
Lesotho / 60 | Liberia / 90 | Morocco / 90 |
Tunisia / 30 | - | - |
Countries under Visa Exemption Agreements
Country/Period(days) | Country/Period(days) | Country/Period(days) |
---|---|---|
Asia | ||
Brunei / 30 | Hong Kong / 90 | Japan / 90 |
Kuwait / 30 | Macao / 30 | Oman / 30 |
Qatar / 30 | Saudi Arabia / 30 | Taiwan / 30 |
United Arab emirates / 30 | Yemen / 30 | - |
Visa Type
Tourist & Business Visas
Visitors from countries not under Visa Exemption Agreements must apply for a visa extension if planning to stay for more than 30 days. Barring unforeseen circumstances, visa extension will be issued 1 to 3 days from the day of application. Applicantions require a completed application form, a recent passport-sized color photo and the application fee. Visitors are not required to show an outbound ticket. Visas may be extended usually for a period of up to 90 days. All visas including long-term visas are for a single visit (single-entry visa). Therefore anyone who wishes to leave the country and re-enter during the visa period should obtain a Re-entry Permit from the Ministry of Justice prior to departure. For business visas, the intention of activities must be clearly stated on the visa application form.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Homepage : http://www.mofat.go.kr
Work Visas
Visitors may obtain work visas in their home country with the endorsement of the employer in Korea. If the visitor is already in Korea, he/she must obtain the work visa from an embassy or consulate in a country outside Korea. Work visas are usually valid for 1 year from the date of issue and take about 2-4 weeks to process. Work visa extensions are allowed if the visitor remains with the same employer. Visitors with work visas must obtain a residence permit from the Immigration Office. Visitors engaging in remunerative activities without a work visa can be subject to fines and/or deportation.
Applicition for Visas
- It is required that visa applicants submit a passport, application forms, a recent passport-size, color photograph, and other documents as determined by the status of stay.
- Visa fees are as follows: Single-entry visa for a stay of less than 90 days : USD30
Visa Extension
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade : http://www.mofat.go.kr
- Bureau : http://www.immigration.go.kr