What Is the Korea e-Visa? Types of Electronic Visas and How to Apply

e-Visa is an electronic visa obtained by applying online through the Visa Portal. However, applications can only be submitted for certain types of visas (status of stay). The e-Visa system was introduced to spare applicants the inconvenience of having to visit a Korean diplomatic mission in their home country in person.

How does the e-Visa work?

With a traditional visa, the applicant had to visit the embassy in person. The e-Visa, by contrast, moves the entire process — from application to payment and approval — online. Once approved, a Visa Confirmation is printed and sent to the applicant.

Which visa types is the e-Visa issued for?

The electronic visa is valid for the following status types:

• Professor (E-1), Researcher (E-3), Technical Instructor/Technical Worker (E-4), Specialist (E-5), Foreign National with Special Skills (E-7) — for the applicant themselves, as well as a Dependent Family (F-3) visa for accompanying family members. Requirement: the applicant must be a specialist in an advanced science and technology field and hold an official employment recommendation (Gold Card).
• Short-Term General (C-3-1) — for a potential investor in a government business project and their accompanying family members.
• Medical Tourist (C-3-3) or Medical Treatment and Recuperation (G-1-10) — when submitted through a recognized medical travel facilitator.
• Business Visitor (General) (C-3-4) — for a person invited by a Korean company. Requirement: a foreign national who has entered Korea three or more times on a C-3 visa since the fingerprint verification system for foreign nationals was introduced on January 1, 2012, and who has no history of illegal residence or crime.
• Short-Term Employee (C-4) — for foreign scholars invited by a government-funded science and technology research institute or an accredited university.

The application procedure

Steps for the applicant

1. Fill out the application form
2. Electronic payment (e-Payment)
3. Invitation Confirmation
4. Acceptance and review
5. Print and send the confirmation

Steps for the sponsor

1. Log in (Login)
2. Fill out the application form
3. Electronic payment (e-Payment)
4. Acceptance and review
5. Print and send the confirmation

Required documents

• Scanned copies of the passport pages
• Digital photograph (in natural color, size: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm)
• Credit card (for electronic payment)
• Electronic copies of any other documents required for the chosen visa type

How Ray Consulting can help

The Korea e-Visa process varies by visa type, and each stage requires specific documents. Ray Consulting provides professional assistance in choosing the right visa type, preparing your documents, and submitting your application.