How much does a South Korea visa cost in 2026? This page breaks down the official government fees by visa type, plus the extra charges people forget — service fees, biometrics and courier — so there are no surprises.
South Korea visa at a glance
| Visa required? | Yes, for many nationalities |
|---|---|
| Main visa type | K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) |
| Government fee | KRW 10,000 (approx USD 7) |
| Processing time | Usually within 72 hours |
| Validity | 3 years, multiple entries (or until passport expiry) |
| Permitted stay | 90 days |
| Where to apply | https://www.k-eta.go.kr |
| HolidaySG assistance fee | S$50 per applicant (usually S$100) |
South Korea visa fees by type
| Visa type | Official fee | Validity | Max stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) | KRW 10,000 (approx USD 7) | 3 years, multiple entries (or until passport expiry) | 90 days |
| C-3 Short-term Visit Visa | Single-entry approx INR 3,400 visa fee plus VFS/BLS service fee approx INR 1,100 (approx INR 4,500 total). Group-of-5+ fee waiver promotion ran through 30 Jun 2026. | Typically 90 days validity to enter; single or double entry as issued | 90 days |
| Temporary K-ETA Exemption (Singapore) | Free | Until 31 December 2026 (temporary exemption period) | 90 days |
Extra charges to budget for
- None official
- VFS Global / BLS International service fee
- Mandatory e-Arrival Card may apply; K-ETA optional
What HolidaySG charges
HolidaySG's assistance fee is a separate flat S$50 per applicant (usually S$100), on top of the official government fee above. We check eligibility, prepare your documents and track the application — the government fee is always paid to the authority, not to us.
Common mistakes, delays and rejection reasons
From handling South Korea visa applications, these are the issues that most often cause delays or refusals. Avoiding them is the single biggest thing you can control:
- Passport validity: many countries require at least six months' validity beyond your travel dates — renew early if yours is close.
- Insufficient proof of funds: bank statements that are too thin, too new, or not in your name are a common reason for delays. Show a stable balance over the last 3–6 months.
- Photo specification errors: wrong size, background colour, glasses or a smile can bounce an application. Follow the exact spec for South Korea.
- Applying too late: submit well before departure — allow the full processing window plus a buffer, not the minimum.
- Mismatched documents: names, dates and passport numbers must match exactly across your form, flight and hotel bookings.
- Weak ties to your home country: employment letters, leave approval and return bookings help show you intend to return.
- Prior overstays or refusals: declare them honestly; hiding history causes more problems than the history itself.
- Forgetting the arrival card: Arrival card waived for K-ETA holders; e-Arrival card otherwise — complete it in the correct window or you can be delayed at the border.
Before you travel to South Korea
- Arrival card / declaration: Arrival card waived for K-ETA holders; e-Arrival card otherwise
- Onward or return ticket: carry proof — airlines and immigration can ask for it.
- Funds: have evidence of enough money for your stay (card and some KRW (South Korean Won)).
- Travel insurance: strongly recommended, and mandatory for some destinations.
- Copies: keep a digital and paper copy of your visa/approval and passport photo page.
Apply for your South Korea visa with HolidaySG
Flat S$50 assistance fee per applicant (usually S$100) — official government fee: Free (exempt) · ETA: KRW 10,000 · C-3 Short-term Visit: INR 3,400. We check your eligibility, send a personalised document checklist, complete the forms and track your application until the outcome.
Things to do once your South Korea visa is sorted
- One-day tour / Incheon | Gwangmyeong Cave + Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village & Chinatown + Wolmido seagull feeding + Yeongjongdo rail bike (departing from Seoul) — from KRW 103,488
- Discover Seoul Pass — from KRW 70,224
- Sea Life Busan — from KRW 15,600
- Seasonal | Jeonju Hanok Village and Jangtaesan, Daedunsan Serenity in Nature — from KRW 117,752
- Figure Museum Jeju Ticket — from KRW 7,500
- Seoul Dongdaemun City Tour Bus｜Traditional Culture Route Coupon — from KRW 13,182
Official sources
- K-ETA (Korea Immigration) — verified 19 August 2026
- MOFA Republic of Korea — verified 19 August 2026
- Official government source — verified 19 August 2026
Last updated 20 August 2026. Written and reviewed by the HolidaySG visa team and checked against the official sources above (facts verified 19 August 2026). Visa rules change and depend on your passport, residence and purpose of travel — always confirm with the official source before booking, or use our visa checker. HolidaySG re-confirms current requirements at the time of your application.
