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Travel to South Korea
South Korea Visa & Residence Requirements Guide
South Korea welcomes millions of tourists annually and offers accessible visa options. Beyond tourism, Korea offers excellent opportunities for skilled workers and students, with modern infrastructure and high salaries. The country is increasingly attracting digital nomads and long-term expats.
Visa Information
Visa Exemption (Tourist Entry)
- Eligible countries: 190+ nationalities; visa-exempt for most
- Duration: 30-90 days depending on nationality
- Fee: Free (no visa fee)
- Stamped at: Airport, seaport, land borders
- Requirements: Valid passport (6+ months), return ticket, proof of funds
- Extensions: Possible if valid reason
- Multiple entries: Automatic
- Very straightforward entry for most nationalities
Visitor Visa (Subclass C-3)
- Purpose: Short-term tourism (90 days)
- For: Non-visa-exempt nationals
- Fee: 60,000 KRW (approximately $45 USD)
- Processing time: 5-7 business days
- Applied from: Korean embassy in your country
- Interview: Rarely required
- Requirements: Application, passport, photo, financial documents
- Duration: Up to 90 days
D-2 Student Visa
- Purpose: Full-time study (university, high school, language school)
- Duration: 1-2+ years depending on program
- Fee: 70,000 KRW (approximately $52 USD)
- Processing time: 3-5 business days at consulate
- Requirements: University admission letter, proof of funds ($10,000+), health exam
- Work rights: Can work 20 hours/week during school, full-time during breaks
- Tuition: 3,000,000-12,000,000 KRW/year ($2,250-9,000 USD) depending on university
- Renewable: Annually as long as maintaining good academic status
D-10 Job Seeker Visa
- Purpose: Look for work (non-employment visa)
- Duration: 6 months
- Fee: Minimal or free
- Processing time: 3-5 business days
- Requirements: Proof of funds, bachelor's degree or higher education
- Not for work: Cannot work on this visa, only search for jobs
- Transition: After finding job, convert to D-2 work visa
- Good for: Graduates looking for employment
D-2 Employment Visa (Work Visa)
- Purpose: Work with Korean employer (1+ year contract)
- Duration: 1-3 years, renewable
- Fee: 90,000 KRW (approximately $67 USD)
- Processing time: 3-5 business days at consulate
- Requirements: Job offer from Korean company, employment contract, diploma
- Salary: No minimum, but typically 25,000,000+ KRW/year ($18,750+ USD)
- Sponsorship: Employer must sponsor
- Renewal: Can renew up to 5 years total
- Family: Can bring spouse and children
F-2 Long-Term Residence Visa
- Purpose: Long-term residence (not for employment)
- Duration: 1-3 years
- Fee: 110,000 KRW (approximately $82 USD)
- Requirements: Proof of funds, accommodation, specific reason (family ties, etc.)
- Processing time: 5-7 business days
- Renewable: Can renew annually
- Not for work: Cannot work on this visa
- Alternative: For those not qualifying for employment or student visa
F-2 Settlement Visa (Permanent Residence)
- Purpose: Permanent residence in South Korea
- Duration: Permanent
- Requirements: 5+ years residence, stable income, property ownership, Korean language ability
- Processing time: 2-3 months
- Very competitive: Only selected individuals qualify
- Marriage shortcut: Married to Korean national can apply sooner (1-2 years)
- Pathway: Lead to citizenship after 5 additional years
Required Documents
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Most nationalities get 30-180 days visa-free depending on citizenship; check embassy website
South Korea has excellent infrastructure and high salaries; attractive for skilled workers
Korean language ability is increasingly important for employment and longer-term residence
Cost of living is moderate to high (₩2,000,000-3,000,000/month for comfortable living ≈ $1,500-2,250 USD)
Student visas are affordable; Korean universities offer good value
Work visa requires employer sponsorship; finding employer is main challenge
Health insurance is mandatory for all visa types
Overstaying is taken seriously; penalties and bans apply
Frequently Asked Questions
This guide provides general visa information for travel planning purposes. It is not legal advice. Always consult official embassy websites and government immigration portals for the most current requirements. Visa policies change frequently and may vary by individual circumstances.