VISA REQUIREMENTS - SOUTH KOREA

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRANCE

Any foreign visitor wishing to enter the Republic of Korea should have a valid passport and a visa.

The following Nationals can enter Korea without visas on business or travelling purposes.

a. Countries under Visa Exemption Agreements:

Asia & Oceania
Bangladesh, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Israel, Pakistan
Pakistan : The Visa Exemption Agreement has been indefinitely suspended since January 1, 2002.

America
Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Colombia, Commonwealth of Dominica, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Panama, Brazil, El Salvador, St. Lucia, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Surinam, Trinided & Tobago

Africa
Lesotho, Liberia, Morocco, Tunisia,

Europe
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Spain, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Turkey

Korean who, with ports of Republic of Korea, wish to enter the above countries, can enter without visas in cases of within 30, 60 or 90 days of visits on business or travelling purposes, according to each agreement.

b. No-Visa Entry

The following Nationals who want to visit Korea just for a short-term tour or transit are permitted to enter Korea with no visa according to the principles of reciprocity or priority of national interests with a tourist/transit visa status(B-2, 30days). Special status is awarded to Canadians(6 months) and Australian(90days)

Asia & Oceania
Macao, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Republic of Yemen, Oman, Japan, Qatar, Taiwan, Hongkong, Kuwait, Guam, Nauru, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Fiji, Australia, Marshall Islands, Palau

America
U,S,A, Canada, Guatemala, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Honduras Uruguai, Paraguai,

Europe
Lithuania, Monaco, Vatican City, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, Cyprus, San Marino, Andorra

Africa
South Africa, Swaziland, Egypt

APPLICATION FOR VISAS

Visitors who plan to stay in Korea for longer than 90 days must obtain visas before entering Korea.

Nationals of those countries which have visa waiver agreement with Korea can enter without visas, on the condition that they should not engage in remunerative activities during their stay in Korea.
Canadians can also enter the Republic of Korea without visas for a stay of up to six months.

Visa application should be made at Korean Embassies or consulates abroad.

It is required for the visa applicants to submit passport, application forms, a recent passport-style color photograph, and such other documents as determined by the status of stay.

VISA FEES

Visa fees are as follows (visa fees below are basic rates so first contact the Korean Embassy or Consulate before applying for a visa):

1. Single entry visa for a stay of no more than 90 days : USD30
2. Single entry visa for a stay of more than 90 days : USD50
3. Multiple entry visa : USD80
4. Prolongation of Reentry Permit : USD20
   for Citizens of United States of America, multiple entry visa fee is USD45 on the basis of reciprocity since the mutual agreement in 1994.
5. Exemption of Visas Fees(As listed below)

For the Nationals of These States On These Conditions

Britain, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan Every Visa(Regardless of its period of stay)

In case of Britain, it is restricted the period of stay should be no more than six months.

Colombia, Barbados, Peru, Liberia,Dominican Republic those Visas of which the period of stay is more than 91 days.

Paraguay, Benin, Romania, Brazil, Uruguay those Visas of which the period of stay is more than 91 days issued to the holders of diplomatic and official passports.

Mongolia, Venezuela those Visas of which the period of stay is more than 31 days issued to the holders of diplomatic and official passports.

Philippines those Visas of which the period of stay is no more than 59 days. Australia C-2 Visas of which the period of stay is no more than 90 days.

CERTIFICATE FOR CONFIRMATION OF VISA ISSUANCE

Overview
Foreign technical trainees or Chinese who wish to visit relatives in Korea should get the permission from the Minister of Justice before being issued a visa. For easy and quick procedure of that permission system, South Korea introduced a "certificate for confirmation of visa issuance".

Procedure

1. Foreign invitees can obtain visas by submitting the certificate received from Korean invitors.
2. Invitors residing in Korea can obtain the certificate by submitting an application form and required documents at the Korean Immigration Bureau.
3. Foreign invitees apply for a visa application form, a recent passport-type color photograph and passport, and visa fee is also required.