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* Price shown is for a 30 day trip to South Korea with 50,000 dollar coverage for an adult of age 25 years
Nestled in East Asia, South Korea is a vibrant blend of tradition and modernity. Boasting a rich cultural heritage spanning thousands of years, it's also a global leader in technology, entertainment, and innovation. From the bustling streets of Seoul — its dynamic capital — to the serene beauty of its countryside, South Korea offers a diverse range of experiences. Thanks to K-pop and K-dramas, it is also one of the most popular countries among youth due to its global fanbase. This page covers all the essential details about how to apply for a South Korean visa from India.
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.
Key Facts | Description |
Capital | Seoul |
Currency | South Korean Won (KRW) (KRW 1 = INR 0.061) |
Language | Korean |
Time Zone | KST (Korea Standard Time), 3 hours and 30 minutes ahead of IST (Indian Standard Time) |
Popular tourist destinations | Seoul, Jeju island, Busan, and Gyeongju |
Visa Application Method | Offline |
Here are the key features of the South Korea visa requirements for Indian citizens:
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).
Document | Description |
Visa Application Form (Form No. 17) | Completed South Korea visa application form |
Passport | Valid Indian passport |
Photos complying with the South Korea visa photo requirements. | Recent passport-sized photographs meeting the South Korea visa photo requirements. |
Fee | Proof of payment of visa fees |
Proof of Financial Capacity | Documents demonstrating the applicant's financial capacity to cover expenses during their stay in South Korea |
Cover letter | Cover letter for your visa application. |
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.
Categories | Specification |
Proof of the purpose of your Business Visit |
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Here's a table outlining the documents needed for a South Korea student visa (visa type D).
Document | Description |
Business Registration Certificate |
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Acceptance Letter |
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Document regarding your final level of education | Original document(s) indicating your final level of education, such as a high school diploma. |
Proof of financial ability | Documents that prove your financial ability to cover one year of tuition fees and living expenses. You have to submit:
If you are planning to use your parent's bank statements, you must attach a family relation certificate as well. |
Medical certificate for TB | Attach a certificate issued by one of the designated hospitals confirming that you do not have Tuberculosis. |
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.
Proof of the purpose of your business visit | You may need to submit a different document based on your purpose of visit. For example:
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Visa Issuance Confirmation | Obtain a visa issuance confirmation from the Minister of Justice before applying for an employment-related visa at the Korean embassy. |
Medical certificate for TB | Attach a certificate issued by one of the designated hospitals confirming that you do not have Tuberculosis. |
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.
South Korea Visa Types | Visa Sub-types | Description | Maximum stay |
Short-Term Visit Visa (Type C) |
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For a short visit to South Korea for tourism, business, and family visits. | Up to 90 days |
Student Visa (Type D) |
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Visa for students who want to study at a Korean university. | Longer than 90 days, up to the completion of the course. |
Work Visa (Type D/E) |
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Visa for startup founders, professors, researchers, job seekers, etc. | Depends on the employment contract |
Tourist/Transit Visa (B2) | For those travelling to other countries via South Korea.
Visa-free transit is allowed to those with a visa to countries like the USA and certain European countries. |
30 days | |
Express Visa |
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To be eligible for this visa, you must have visited Korea in the past or you should have a 'visa issuance approval number'. | Up to 90 days for short-term visa. |
You are eligible to apply for a South Korea visa from India if you are:
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.
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.
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 Type | Regular South Korea Visa Fee | Express Visa Fee |
Single Entry Visa (for stays of up to 90 days) | INR 3200 | INR 5600 |
Single Entry Visa (for a stay longer than 90 days) | INR 4800 | INR 7200 |
Double-Entry Visa | INR 5600 | INR 8800 |
Multiple-Entry Visa | INR 7200 | INR 10,400 |
*Visa fee subject to exchange rate fluctuations
During the processing time, you can check your South Korea visa status online. Follow these simple steps to check your South Korea visa Status.
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* Price shown is for a 30 day trip to South Korea with 50,000 dollar coverage for an adult of age 25 years