»  Do I need a Visa?   [ Quick Finder ]

• Any foreign visitors wishing to enter the Republic of Korea should have a valid passport and obtain a Korean visa before entering.
   
• If you are a U.S. citizen, a visa is not required for a tourist stay of up to 30 days.  For longer stays and other types of travel, obtain a visa.
   
• If you meet the special conditions below, you can enter Korea without a Korean visa.
  
   

A. Countries under Visa Exemption Agreements  (As of 01 Jan 2005)

   The following Nationals can enter Korea without visas on Business or travelling purposes.
 

Asia	Bangladesh, Israel, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey 6
America	Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Chile,  Commonwealth of Dominica, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador,  Grenada,Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Panama, St. Lucia,    St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Surinam, Trinided & Tobago 22
Europe	Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,  Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Liechtenstein,  Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland,  Portugal, Rumania,  Spain, Slovakia,  Sweden, Switzerland,The Netherlands, United Kingdom 29
Oceania	New Zealand 1
Africa	Lesotho, Liberia, Morocco, Tunisia 4

※ Korean who, with ports of Republic of Korea, wish to enter the above countries, can enter without visas in cases of within 30, 60 or 90 days of visits on business or travelling purposes, according to each agreement.


B. No-Visa Entry for tour and/or transit (As of 01 Jan 2005)

    The following Nationals who want to visit Korea just for a short-term tour or transit are permitted to enter Korea with no visa according to the principles of reciprocity or priority of national interests with a tourist/transit visa status(B-2, 30days).
   Special status is awarded to Canadians(6 months) and Australian(90days).
 

Asia	Macao, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Republic of Yemen, Oman, Japan, Qatar, Taiwan, Hongkong, Kuwait 11
America	United States, Canada, Guatemala, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Honduras, Uruguai, Paraguai, Guyana, Ecuador 11
Europe	Monaco, Vatican City, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, Cyprus, San Marino, Andorra,  Bosnia Hercegovina, Serbia & Montenegro 10
Oceania	Australia, Guam, Nauru, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Palau, Samoa 11
Africa	South Africa, Swaziland, Egypt, Mauritius, Seychielles 5





C. Transit
 

   Visitors meeting the following requirements also can enter Korea without a Korean visa for a stay of up to 30 days, if their purpose of visit is transit.
Note) Nationals of Cuba, Macedonia ,however, must apply for korean visa, even if they meet these requirements
 

> Holding a visa or a re-entry permit of the  United States, Japan, Canada, Australia,     or New Zealand (5    countries)

> Travelling from either of the five countries to a third country via Korea or travelling from a     third country    to either of the five countries via Korea

> Holding a confirmed onward flight ticket for departure within 30 days

> No Immigration offence records, while in the five countries

 

• If you plan to stay in Korea for more than 90 days, you must get a special long-term visa.
  
  
• In regards to work visas, you have the option to obtain a Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance.: If there is a subsidiary company established in Korea, the president of the company- as long as he/she has the necessary documents-can apply for your work permit at the Immigration Office and obtain the Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance.  
  

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  »  How do I apply?

• Visa application should be made at Korean Embassies or consulates abroad.
• Non-US residents (e.g. visitors) should normally apply their home country.
• All visa applicants who reside in Houston should submit their applications in person.
  Only applicants residing in cities other than Houston may apply by mail.
• No appointment is required.
• It is required for the visa applicants to submit passport, an application forms, a recent passport-style color photograph, fee and such other documents as determined by the status of stay.

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  »  Where should I apply?

• The Korean Consulate General in Houston services 5 southeastern States in the U.S.A. :
  Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Texas.
  
  
• If you reside in our consular districts, apply to our office.
  
  Korean Consulate General
  Attn : Visa Dept.
  1990 Post Oak Blvd #1250
  Houston, TX 77056
  (713) 961-0186
  
  
• Non-US residents (e.g. visitors) should normally apply their home country.

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  »  Fees

• As of April 1, 1998, There is a $45 Visa processing fee for U.S. Citizens except for Military Dependents With U.S. Passports.
  
  Visa Fees for Citizens of all other countries are as follows :
  Single entry visa for a stay of no more than 90 days : USD30
  Single entry visa for a stay of more than 90 days : USD50
  Multiple entry visa : USD80
  
  
• All fees can be paid by Cash, Cashier's Check or Money Order.
  Personal Checks are not acceptable.
  
• All Cashier's Checks and Money Orders should be made payable to 'The Korean Consulate' in U.S. Dallars.

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  »  Notes

• Normally your visa will be available two or three business days you submit all the required documents, no exceptions.
• If you are requesting a visa by mail, be sure to Self Addressed Stamped Envelope marked with the proper postage to return your Passport and visa.
  
• This office is not responsible for the loss of any documents including passports.
• This office will not make copies, if you need original documents, please bring the original and one copy.
• Submitted documents and Visa application Fees will not be returned or refunded even if the visa is not approved. Only the applicant's passport will be returned.
  
• When filling out the visa application form, please type or print neatly and do not leave any blank, use None or N/A When it is appropriate. 
  If the visa application form is not filled out completely and correctly, this can cause a delay in processing or the refusal of the requested visa.

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Updated December 08, 2005