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Our South Korea visa application process

How to apply for your South Korea visa with iVisa

Complete your online application

Answer a few simple questions to find out whether you need a South Korea K-ETA, e-Arrival Card, or another South Korean visa or document. Then, upload your documents and pay securely. You can save your progress and come back anytime. Most people finish in less than 10 minutes.

We’ll guide you through any unclear questions during the application process.

We review your application

The South Korea visa system is known for being a bit picky – your photo must be the right size, and your passport scan must be clear.

Don’t worry – we review your whole application to catch anything that might cause delays. One of our experts checks everything for errors or missing information to make sure it’s ready to go. This review is quick but thorough.

We submit it for government processing

We’re not the South Korean government, but we submit your application to them and are here for you along the way if there are any problems.

Get your South Korea visa

We’ll email your approved visa or ETA and let you know how to use it for your trip.

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Visa types needed for South Korea

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)
South Korea e-Arrival Card
Short-Term Visitor Visa (C-3 Series)*
Short-Term Employment Visa (C-4)*
Workation (Digital Nomad) Visa (F-1-D)*
Study Visas (D-2 and D-4)*
Family and Dependent Visas (F-1 and F-3)*
Professional Employment Visas (E-1 to E-7)*

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)

Purpose: The Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) is for visa-exempt travelers visiting for tourism, family visits, business meetings, or events.

When to apply: It’s recommended to apply at least one week in advance, though the official minimum is 72 hours.

Duration and extensions: Validity is typically 3 years (or until your passport expires). It allows stays of 30, 60, or 90 days, depending on your nationality. It’s generally non-extendable; you must depart before your stay expires.

Entries: The K-ETA is issued for multiple entries within its validity period.

Ports of entry: Holders can enter through all international airports (like Incheon, Gimhae, and Jeju) and major seaports.

Delivery format: The approval is electronically linked to your passport. You’ll receive an email notification, and you're advised to carry a digital or printed copy of the approval notice.

South Korea e-Arrival Card

Purpose: The South Korea e-Arrival Card is a mandatory digital entry declaration. It replaces the traditional paper arrival form and is required for all travelers who don’t hold a valid K-ETA (including those from K-ETA-exempt countries and visa holders).

When to apply: You must submit it within 3 days (72 hours) before your scheduled arrival in South Korea.

Duration and extensions: It’s strictly for a single entry and is valid for 72 hours from the time of submission. It doesn't grant a specific length of stay; that is determined by your visa or visa-exempt status.

Entries: This is a single-use form required for every individual trip to South Korea.

Ports of entry: It's accepted at all international checkpoints. As of January 1, 2026, paper forms aren't accepted at major airports like Incheon (ICN).

Delivery format: After submission, you’ll receive a digital confirmation with a card number. You should save a PDF or screenshot on your mobile device to show immigration officers upon arrival.

Short-Term Visitor Visa (C-3 Series)*

This is for travelers visiting for tourism (C-3-9), business meetings/market research (C-3-4), or general purposes like conferences and medical treatment (C-3-1). It's for nationals of non-visa-exempt countries or those ineligible for K-ETA. It’s typically a single-entry visa valid for 90 days.

*We currently don’t offer this visa.

Short-Term Employment Visa (C-4)*

This is for individuals performing temporary paid work such as modeling, lectures, or seasonal entertainment. It’s for workers with a contract from a Korean entity and is valid for a stay of up to 90 days.

*We currently don’t offer this visa.

Workation (Digital Nomad) Visa (F-1-D)*

This allows remote workers employed by foreign companies to live in Korea while working for their overseas employer. It’s for individuals earning over KRW 85 million annually (approx. $65,000) with at least one year of experience. It’s valid for 1 year and can be extended for an additional year.

*We currently don’t offer this visa.

Study Visas (D-2 and D-4)*

The D-2 Visa is for students pursuing full-time degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD) at universities. The D-4 Visa is for language trainees or those in general training programs. Validity is tied to the enrollment period, typically granted in 1-year or 2-year increments.

*We currently don’t offer these visas.

Family and Dependent Visas (F-1 and F-3)*

The F-1 Visa is for visiting family or housekeepers of diplomats. The F-3 Visa is for the accompanying spouse and minor children of D or E-series visa holders. Validity usually matches the primary visa holder's status.

*We currently don’t offer these visas.

Professional Employment Visas (E-1 to E-7)*

This group covers various professional roles: E-1 (Professors), E-2 (Language Instructors), E-3 (Researchers), and E-7 (Special Ability/Skilled Workers). These require local sponsorship and are valid for 1 to 5 years, renewable as long as the contract remains active.

*We currently don’t offer these visas.

South Korea visa policy

Most foreign nationals must obtain either a visa or a K-ETA before traveling to South Korea for tourism, business, study, or work. South Korea doesn't offer a traditional Visa on Arrival (VoA) service.

Travelers entering South Korea who don't hold a valid K-ETA are required to complete a mandatory digital e-Arrival Card within three days before departure.

General South Korea visa requirements are:

Passport valid at the time of entry (at least six months recommended)
Recent digital passport photo
Travel details (such as flight information and a specific South Korean accommodation address)
Additional supporting documents depending on visa type (e.g., business invitation letter, university admission certificate, or employment contract)

South Korea visa prices

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)

Prices starting from $60.99

Valid for 3 years after issued

Multiple entry

Stay up to 90 days per entry

Get it as fast as 36 hours

South Korea e-Arrival Card

Prices starting from $69.99

Valid for 4 days after issued

Single entry

Stay up to 30 days per entry

Get it as fast as 15 minutes

Fast facts

iVisa approval rate

99%

Main reason for denials

Unclear photo scans

Average time it takes to apply

10 mins

Why choose iVisa?

Applying for a visa on your own can be confusing and time-consuming. iVisa simplifies the process, reduces errors, and gives you peace of mind.

Benefit	Applying by yourself	iVisa
Simple, easy forms	Not included	Included
24x7 support from visa experts	Not included	Included
Error detection to prevent rejections	Not included	Included
World's easiest passport scan	Not included	Included
Multiple payment methods	Not included	Included

1.4M happy customers

24/7customer support

69,000+ reviews

10 years of experience

98% visa approval rate

Certified customer reviews

Travelers to South Korea rated this product a 4.8 out of 5 based on 11 reviews.

4.8 out of 5

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Mireya Y.

May 6, 2025

"It was a great experience the ivisa website was straightforward and easy to use with no complications. Many thanks to the ivisa team!"
Andres M.

April 1, 2025

"A helpful tool that provides all the necessary information, making it easy to follow each step until completion Thank you"
Caroline K.

March 17, 2025

"thank you so much. Your team is outstanding. Great service, great attitude!"
Landon F.

October 15, 2024

"User friendly and very simple to navigate, great app and website!!"
Charlie R.

November 12, 2024

"The process was effortless to apply for the visa"
Heike

April 20, 2026

"Easy way of applying. Loved it! Thank you!"
Ariana W.

April 11, 2025

"Easy to follow, and very educational!"
Anna P.

January 21, 2025

"Fast and seamless experience!!"
Iris L.

December 30, 2025

"Very clear and simple process"
Max S.

December 8, 2024

"Quick and simple service"

See all 11 reviews

FAQs

What is the South Korea K-ETA and who needs it?

The Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) is a mandatory electronic travel permit required for nationals of visa-exempt countries when visiting South Korea for tourism, business, or family visits. Travelers must apply online and receive approval before boarding their flight.

How long is the K-ETA valid and how long can I stay in South Korea?

The K-ETA is typically valid for two years from the approval date or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Depending on your nationality, it allows multiple short-term stays of up to 90 days per visit.

How do I apply for a South Korea K-ETA?

If you want an expert-guided process, you can apply for a K-ETA through the iVisa platform. To complete the application, you will need a valid passport, a recent photograph, and a working email address.

Can I extend my stay in South Korea with a K-ETA?

No, you cannot extend your stay if you entered South Korea using a K-ETA. If you must stay longer, leave the country and apply for an appropriate visa from a Korean consulate or embassy.

What types of short-term visas does South Korea offer?

South Korea offers several short-term visas, including the C-3 visa for tourism, business, and short-term family visits, as well as other categories like the C-4 short-term employment visa. Each visa type has specific eligibility requirements and permitted activities.

Do I need a visa to transit through South Korea?

Some travelers may transit through South Korea without a visa if they meet specific criteria, such as holding a confirmed onward ticket and coming from or going to specific countries. However, others may require a transit visa (B-2) depending on their nationality and travel plans.

What is the South Korea transit visa and who needs it?

The South Korea transit visa (B-2) allows travelers to stay in the country for a limited period while connecting to a third country. Nationals of some countries are eligible for visa-free transit entry under specific circumstances, while others must apply for the B-2 visa in advance.

What visas are available for work and study in South Korea?

South Korea offers various visas for employment and education, such as the E-2 visa for foreign language instructors, the D-2 visa for students attending Korean universities, and the E-7 visa for skilled workers. Each visa has its own eligibility criteria and application process.

How can I apply for a South Korea visa other than the K-ETA?

You must apply for other South Korean visas through the official Hi Korea website or at a South Korean embassy or consulate in your country. The application process includes submitting required documents such as a passport, application form, photo, and proof of your travel purpose.