Planning a trip to South Korea? This guide covers exactly who needs a visa, what it costs, how long it takes and where to apply — using figures from South Korea's official immigration authorities.
Quick answer
Most visitors to South Korea need k-eta (korea electronic travel authorization), with an official government fee of KRW 10,000 (approx USD 7).
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) |
Who needs a visa for South Korea?
K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization): Nationals of visa-waiver countries NOT currently under temporary exemption
C-3 Short-term Visit Visa: Indian nationals and other non-visa-waiver travellers for short-term tourism
Temporary K-ETA Exemption (Singapore): Singapore passport holders (one of ~67 exempted countries) for tourism or business
South Korea visa options, fees and processing times
| Option | Official fee | Max stay | Processing | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) | KRW 10,000 (approx USD 7) | 90 days | Usually within 72 hours | https://www.k-eta.go.kr |
| 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. | 90 days | Around 10 working days | https://www.visa.go.kr |
| Temporary K-ETA Exemption (Singapore) | Free | 90 days | On arrival | https://www.k-eta.go.kr |
Documents required
For the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization):
- Passport valid at least 6 months
- Recent photo (JPG)
- Email address
- Payment card
How to apply
- Check your requirement by nationality (table below) or use our checker.
- K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization): https://www.k-eta.go.kr — allow Usually within 72 hours.
- C-3 Short-term Visit Visa: https://www.visa.go.kr — allow Around 10 working days.
- Temporary K-ETA Exemption (Singapore): https://www.k-eta.go.kr — allow On arrival.
- Arrival formalities: Arrival card waived for K-ETA holders; e-Arrival card otherwise
- Keep your approval/receipt with your passport; carry proof of accommodation, onward travel and funds.
South Korea visa for children and families
Children usually need their own visa or entry authorisation, even infants. For family applications, prepare each traveller's passport and photo, and add birth certificates for minors and, where a child travels with one parent or a guardian, a consent letter. Applying for the whole family together keeps travel dates and reference numbers consistent.
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.
Practical timeline: application → approval → travel
- 6–8 weeks before travel: check your passport validity, confirm your requirement, and start gathering documents.
- 3–4 weeks before: book refundable flights and accommodation (immigration may ask for these), then submit your South Korea application.
- Processing: allow Usually within 72 hours. Do not make non-refundable bookings until approved.
- On approval: print/save the approval, keep it with your passport, and complete any arrival card before you fly.
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).
- Travel insurance: strongly recommended, and mandatory for some destinations.
- Copies: keep a digital and paper copy of your visa/approval and passport photo page.
Good to know
- Beware third-party sites charging inflated fees. Waived nationals may still apply optionally.
- Group tourists from China/Vietnam/Philippines have designated-agency schemes.
South Korea visa requirements by nationality
| Passport | Requirement | Max stay |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
How much is a South Korea visa?
K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization): KRW 10,000 (approx USD 7). HolidaySG's assistance fee is a separate flat S$50.
How long does it take?
K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization): Usually within 72 hours.
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.
