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South Korea visas

South Korea's entry and residence system is administered by the Korea Immigration Service under the Ministry of Justice, with visas issued through Korean diplomatic missions abroad and the government e-visa portal. Whether you need a visa, a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA), or nothing in advance depends on your nationality and the purpose and length of your stay. Always confirm your route and its current conditions against the official Korea Immigration Service, the K-ETA portal and the Korea Visa Portal before applying or travelling.

South Korean visa application at a glance

From start to finish in five simple steps.

  1. 01Choose the right visa
  2. 02Check eligibility & documents
  3. 03Apply online
  4. 04Provide biometrics
  5. 05Wait for a decision
See the full application process

South Korea Visa

South Korea maintains a visa waiver agreement list as well as a designated visa-free entrance list, with nations not included on either list needing a visa to enter the country. Countries not included on either list require a visa to enter the country. Aside from that, foreigners who desire to participate or work in certain activities in the nation such as diplomatic work or gainful employment, study or residency must first apply for the necessary visa before participating in the activity in the country.

Who needs a visa to South Korea?

It is advised for travellers to check the South Korean Embassy page in regards to which Countries require a visa.

Entry into South Korea

Entry requirements for Korea are subject to change at any time, so all travellers are advised to confirm entry requirements with Korean authorities prior to departure. The websites of the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), as well as the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ireland, have current information.

There is currently no necessity to take a COVID-19 test prior to or after entering Korea. However, the Korean government recommends that all travellers use the Q-Code system to register their travel plans and health status in order to streamline the arrival procedure. Those who acquire a positive COVID-19 test result during their stay in Korea must remain under quarantine. Short-term international visitors are required to undergo quarantine at a government facility at their own expense. Koreans and long-term residents are permitted to observe quarantine at home.

Currently, citizens of 66 visa-exempt nations and 46 visa-free nations, including Ireland, are required to get an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before entering Korea. This only applies to people who enter Korea under a visa exemption and not to those who possess a visa. If you have a valid visa, you do not need a K-ETA to enter Korea.

Requirements to apply for a South Korea Visa

  • Form for Visa Application (electronic form on the Visa Portal).
  • Images of scanned passport pages.
  • Digital Photograph (in natural color, size: 3.5cm x 4.5cm).
  • Fee (credit card for e-Payment) (credit card for e-Payment).
  • Documents required for each status of stay.

What To Do If Your South Korea Visa is Refused?

Ensure that you have a letter addressed to the Consul, and that you are certain that the reason for denial is invalid. Please feel free to include supporting documentation. If not, you may retry after six months. Ensure that your documents are comprehensive, verifiable, and genuine.

South Korea โ€” key facts

Visa authority
Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice
Application
Online (in most cases)
Biometrics
Usually required
Currency
South Korean won (KRW)
Time zone
Korea Standard Time (KST, UTC+9)

South Korean visas โ€” people also ask

  • Visas are valid for three months after issuance. This means that you must enter Korea within three months of the visa's issuance or it will expire. On the other hand, the term of stay mentioned on the Visa Grant Notice represents the permitted length of stay. The length of stay will begin to accrue on the date of entry.

Official sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.

Verified against official sources ยท last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only โ€” not legal advice.