How can you visit in Korea - Visa Types and Information

 

In order to visit South Korea, you must either have a valid visa or a visa-free entry permit under a waiver agreement. In general, if you are visiting South Korea for tourism, it is relatively simple to obtain a visa. However, if you are visiting South Korea to work or study, you will need to apply for and receive a visa specifically for this purpose.

Registration and Procedures

 

1. Alien Registrations
Foreigners under the conditions below have to register with their jurisdictional immigration offices within 90 days from the date of entry:

A foreigner who plans to stay for more than 90 days from the date of entry
A foreigner who has lost his/her Korean nationality upon the acquisition of foreign nationality, or who plans to stay for more than 90 days from the date on which his/her status was granted after being born in Korea.

 

2. Alien Registration Exemption
Diplomats, foreign government officials, those exempted in accordance with international agreements, and their family members (A-1, A-2, A-3)
A foreigner who is engaged in important tasks such as diplomacy, industrial development, or national defense, and his/her family members, or a foreigner who is recognized by the Minister of Justice for exemption
Foreigner from Canada who falls under the qualifications below and plans to stay for less than 6 months
→ Korean Arts and Culture (D-1), Religious Worker (D-6), Family Visitor (F-1), Dependent Family (F-3), Miscellaneous (G-1)

3. Alien Registration Application
Immigration (branch) office that has jurisdiction in the area of your residence

 

4. Period of Alien Registration
A foreigner who plans to stay for more than 90 days → within 90 days from the date of entry
A foreigner who has been granted status of stay or permission to change status → at the time of permission being received (immediately)

5. Required Documents for Alien Registration
Passport
Application form (Form No.34)
1 colored photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
Fee: 30,000 won (approximately US$30)

 

6. Duty for possessing/presenting of Alien Registration Card (certificate)
Foreigners residing in Korea must possess their passport or alien registration card at all times (Not applicable for foreigners under 17).
Foreigners must present their passport or alien registration card upon request by an immigration officer or anyone of the equivalent authority (including public officials in charge of registration at local governments.)
In accordance with the Immigration Act, foreigners will be punished for not possessing/presenting their passport and alien registration card upon request.

 

7. Duty for notification of change in alien registration (information)
Foreigners (or their legal representatives) under the circumstances below must notify the Immigration Office, within 14 days, of any changes in their alien registration information.
(Foreigners who fail to submit notification of changes in their alien registration information to the Immigration Office will be fined for violation of Article 35 of the Immigration Act)

 

You can check whether you need a VISA here :

https://www.visa.go.kr/openPage.do?MENU_ID=10101 

KOREA VISA PORTAL