4 Ways to Apply for a Korean Visa: A Step-by-Step Guide

There are several ways to obtain a Korean visa — they differ depending on where and by whom the application is submitted. Below, the four main routes are explained step by step: visa types, required documents, and the full process.

• e-Visa via the Visa Portal — an electronic visa applied for online.
• Confirmation of Visa Issuance via the Visa Portal — submitted by the inviting party (sponsor).
• Through a Korean embassy abroad — the diplomatic mission in your country of residence.
• Confirmation through the Korea Immigration Office — based on the sponsor's location in Korea.

The list of visa types in the source is current as of December 8, 2014. Rules may change over time — for definitive information, rely on the official Visa Portal (visa.go.kr) and the Visa Navigator.

1. e-Visa via the Visa Portal

Application process: On the Visa Portal (www.visa.go.kr), select "Application" >> "E-Visa (Individual)."

Who submits: the foreign national in person, or a sponsor on their behalf.

Which visa types (as of 2014.12.08)

• Professor (E-1), Researcher (E-3), Technical Instructor/Technician (E-4), Specialist (E-5) — for the applicant; for accompanying family members, Dependent Family (F-3).
• Foreign National of Special Ability (E-7) — for the applicant; F-3 for family members. Requirement: the applicant must be an expert in advanced science and technology and must hold an official recommendation for employment (GOLD CARD).
• Short-Term General (C-3-1) — potential investors invited by the Immigrant Investor Scheme agency for government business, and their family members.
• Short-Term Group Tourist (C-3-2) — Chinese group tourists applying through a designated travel agency.
• Short-Term Medical Tourist (C-3-3) or Medical Treatment and Recuperation (G-1-10) — foreign patients and their companions invited by a "recognized medical operator" accredited as an e-Visa agency.
• Business Visitor (General) (C-3-4) — a person invited by a local company. Requirement: a foreign national who has entered Korea 3 or more times on a C-3 visa since the fingerprint system was introduced on January 1, 2012, with no history of illegal residence or crime.

Required documents

• Visa application form (the electronic form on the Visa Portal)
• Scanned copies of passport pages
• Digital photograph (in natural color, 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm)
• Payment (a credit card for electronic payment)
• Other documents required for the relevant visa type (electronic copy)

Process

2. Confirmation of Visa Issuance via the Visa Portal

Application process: On the Visa Portal, select "Application" >> "Confirmation of Visa Issuance."

Who submits: the application is submitted by the inviting party (sponsor).

Which visa types (as of 2014.12.08)

• Professor (E-1), Foreign Language Teacher (E-2), Researcher (E-3), Technical Instructor/Technician (E-4), Specialist (E-5) — for the applicant; F-3 for family members.
• Foreign National of Special Ability (E-7) — for the applicant; F-3. Requirement: the applicant must hold an occupation in Category 1 (managers) or Category 2 (professionals and the like) of the Standard Classification of Occupations published by the National Statistical Office.
• Short-Term Medical Tourist (C-3-3) or Medical Treatment and Recuperation (G-1-10) — patients and companions invited by a "recognized medical operator."
• Business Visitor (C-3-6) — a person invited by a VIP corporation.
• Student (D-2) and Korean Language Trainee (D-4-1).
• Non-Professional Worker (E-9) and Seafarer (E-10).

Required documents

• Confirmation of Visa Issuance application form (electronic form)
• Scanned copies of passport pages
• Digital photograph (in natural color, 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm)
• Payment (a credit card for electronic payment)
• Other documents required for the relevant visa type (electronic copy)

Process

Checking the result and next steps

• Checking the result: via "Application Status" on the Visa Portal, ARS (02-2650-6363), SMS, or the email you provided.
• Visa application: the sponsor downloads the applicant's visa application form from "Application Status" and sends it by email, or communicates the confirmation number and validity period. Using that form or number (and period), the applicant applies for the visa at a Korean embassy/consulate.
• Validity period: the Confirmation of Visa Issuance is valid for 3 months and is effective for issuing a visa only once.
• Questions: Immigration Contact Center — +1345 (within Korea), +82-1345 from abroad.

3. Visa through a Korean embassy abroad

Where: the Korean embassy or consulate in the applicant's country (or region) of residence.

Who submits: the foreign national in person, or a visa agency on their behalf.

Which visa types (as of 2014.12.08)

• Diplomat (A-1), Government Official (A-2) — single-entry or multiple-entry visa.
• Short-Term News Coverage (C-1), Short-Term General (C-3), Short-Term Employee (C-4) — single-entry visa (with a stay of up to 90 days).
• C-1 and C-3 — multiple-entry visa (up to 90 days), for nationals of countries that have a multiple-entry visa agreement with Korea.
• Visas issued at the discretion of the head of the Korean diplomatic mission — for example, a single-entry visa (up to 90 days) for Korean Arts and Culture (D-1) applicants coming for cultural and artistic activities at the invitation of the Korea Foundation or the Arts Council Korea.

Required documents

• Visa application form (Form No. 17, or the electronic form via the "Application" menu of the Visa Portal)
• Passport
• Photograph (in natural color, 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm)
• Payment (in US dollars) — you may pay in your own country's currency only with the permission of the head of the Korean mission in that country.
• Documents required for the relevant visa type. Note: the list in the Visa Navigator shows the minimum requirements. Depending on the situation, the head of the mission may request additional documents or waive some of them. If the requirements do not match, follow the instructions of the relevant mission.

Process

For other questions, contact the consular section of the Korean mission in your country of residence.

4. Confirmation through the Korea Immigration Office

Where: the Korea Immigration Office with jurisdiction over the inviting party's area of residence.

Who submits: the foreign national in person, or a sponsor/agency on their behalf (for E-9, E-10).

Which visa types (as of 2014.12.08)

• Long-term types: Korean Arts and Culture (D-1), Student (D-2), Industrial Trainee (D-3), General Trainee (D-4), Long-Term News Coverage (D-5), Religious Worker (D-6), Intra-Company Transferee (D-7), Corporate/Foreign Investor (D-8), International Trade (D-9).
• Work visas: Professor (E-1), Foreign Language Teacher (E-2), Researcher (E-3), Technical Instructor/Technician (E-4), Specialist (E-5), Artist/Athlete (E-6), Foreign National of Special Ability (E-7), Non-Professional Worker (E-9), Seafarer (E-10).
• Others: Family Visit (F-1), Dependent Family (F-3), Miscellaneous (G-1), Working Visit (H-2).
• Long-term visas for nationals of countries that have no official diplomatic relations with Korea or of certain countries designated by the Korean government (Cuba, Syria, Macedonia).
• Other persons deemed necessary by the Minister of Justice.

Required documents

• Confirmation of Visa Issuance application form (Form No. 21)
• Copy of passport pages
• Photograph (in natural color, 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm)
• Documents required for the relevant visa type (the list in the Visa Navigator is the minimum requirement; the head of the office may request additional documents or waive some).
• If a representative applies on the applicant's behalf: an employment-related certificate, a copy of the representative's ID, and a power of attorney are required. (When additional verification is needed, application via a representative may be restricted.)

Process

Checking the result and next steps

• Checking the result: via "Application Status" on the Visa Portal, ARS (02-2650-6363), SMS, or email.
• Visa issuance: the sponsor downloads the applicant's visa application form from "Application Status" and sends it by email, or communicates the confirmation number and validity period; the applicant applies for the visa at a Korean embassy/consulate.
• Validity period: the confirmation is valid for 3 months and is effective only once.
• Questions: Immigration Contact Center — +1345 (within Korea), +82-1345 from abroad.

How Ray Consulting can help

Choosing the right way to apply for a Korean visa depends on the visa type, the inviting party, and your country of residence. The specialists at Ray Consulting will help you identify the right route, prepare your documents correctly, and provide professional support throughout the application process.