South Korea is known for its entertainment culture, thus attracting millions of foreigners, including Indians. The entry requirements differ according to the travelers’ nationality, purpose of visiting, and length of stay. A visa is usually needed and the eligibility varies from type to type. This is the ultimate guide on South Korea visa for Indians.
Do Indians Need a Visa for South Korea
Yes. As India is not listed among the visa-exempted countries, Indians must obtain a South Korea visa to enter the country no matter why they are traveling and how long they will stay. Moreover, the visa must be applied for ahead of setting out from the consular office in India.
📢To know more about which countries can Indian citizens travel to without visa, you can click Visa Free Countries for Indians 2024. You can find out if you are eligible to travel to another country without applying for a visa.
Who Can Apply For South Korea Visa
Foreigners except citizens of the 116 visa-exempt countries and regions should get a South Korea visa to have short-stay trips for tourism, business, friend/family visits, or transfers. However, if you want to stay in the country for a long term, like more than 90 days, for work, study, investment, etc. a corresponding visa is required no matter where you come from. Indians who are eligible to apply for a visa to South Korea must:
- have a valid Indian passport.
- explain why they travel.
- not have a criminal record.
- have sufficient funds to support their expenses during their stay in South Korea.
- have a strong connection with the native country to ensure that they will return home.
Types of South Korean Visa for Indians
Figuring out the proper visa type helps you learn about the exact requirements and application process. The South Korea visas are divided into the following categories according to the purpose of traveling.
- Tourist Visa
A South Korea tourist visa for Indian is designed for those who enter South Korea for recreational activities, such as tourism, transit, medical treatment, family /friend visits, non-official sports games, cultural arts, religious ceremonies, etc. Visa holders can usually stay for up to 90 days.
- Business Visa
A South Korea business visa is issued to foreigners who intend to participate in market research, conferences, meetings, international trade, contract signing, or other commercial activities. However, the visa holders must not work for a South Korean employer on this visa type.
- Study Visa
The study visa or student visa allows foreign students to study at a South Korean educational institution, such as elementary/middle/high schools, colleges, universities, or language training institutions. The validity is usually subject to the length of the course and can be extended.
- Work Visa
The work visa is given to foreigners who work and live in South Korea, including professors, foreign language instructors, teaching assistants, researchers, technical instructors, technicians, artists, foreign nationals of special ability, and employees in other industries. The South Korean employer must sponsor the employee to apply for this visa.
- Family Visit Visa
The family visit visa helps foreigners who join their family members or relatives in South Korea. Spouses and children of foreigners with a South Korea visa or residency are also eligible for this visa type.
South Korea Visa Requirements for Indian
Applicants must submit a set of required documents to apply for a visa and the requirements differ from type to type. Here are the general documents for South Korea visa for Indians.
- A completed application form.
- A valid Indian passport valid for at least 6 months with 2 blank pages.
- 2 identical passport size photos.
- Extra Documents for Tourist Visa
➢ Round-trip tickets or a ticket to arrive in South Korea and another to leave the country.
➢ A cover letter explaining your purpose for traveling, travel itinerary, and estimated expenses for every activity.
➢ Proof of financial capability, such as bank statements for the previous 6 months and income tax returns.
➢ Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel reservation or invitation letter from your relatives who will provide you with accommodation.
- Extra Documents for Business Visa
➢ Returning or onward ticket to leave the country.
➢ Invitation letter from the company explaining why you are traveling.
➢ A copy of the company registration certificate of the company that you are invited and you are representing.
- Extra Documents for Student Visa
➢ Medical report from a certified doctor or medical institution.
➢ Invitation letter or admission letter from the educational institution.
➢ Proof of financial capability to fund your tuition and daily expenses, such as bank statements for the previous 6 months.
➢ Sponsorship letter (in the case of being sponsored by someone else).
➢ Diploma, academic transcript, or other educational documents.
- Extra Documents for Work Visa
➢ An employment contract or job offer.
➢ Certificate to prove professional and educational capabilities.
➢ Recommendation letter.
➢ Certificate of No criminal record
- Extra Documents for Family Visit Visa
➢ Returning or onward ticket to leave the country.
➢ Travel itinerary.
➢ A cover letter explaining the purpose of traveling, traveling plan, information of the host, etc.
➢ An invitation letter from the family or friends that you are going to visit In South Korea.
➢ A copy of the family of friends residence permit, passports, and proof of addressa.
➢ Proof of relationship between the applicant and the host in South Korea.
How to Apply for A South Korea Visa from India
The South Korea visa for Indians must be applied from the embassy or consulates in India. It could be done in person or through a visa agent. No matter which method you choose, you usually need to go through the procedures below.
- Identify Visa Type
It is necessary to identify the proper visa type according to your traveling purposes and length of stay, which determines the requirements.
- Fill out the Visa Application Form
The form is available at the consular office of South Korea or a visa agency in your country of residence. It can also be completed electronically on Korea Visa Portal and submitted online. Once it is submitted, print out the e-form with a bar code. Make sure all required fields on the form are filled and the information is accurate.
- Submit Applications
The Korean Embassy in India is located in New Delhi. Additionally, there is a Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chennai and a Korean Consulate General in Mumbai. You can submit the duly accomplished form along with other required documents in one of these Korean diplomatic missions or at a visa agency center, such as VFS Global. You will pay the visa fees, capture biometrics, and have an interview at the immigration office.
- Track Application Status
Visa officers take some time to review your application. Sometimes they might ask for extra supporting documents. Please respond to the request as soon as possible. Once approved, the passport with a visa stamp can be collected in person or by mail.
How Long Does It Take to Get A South Korean Visa?
The processing time usually ranges from 10 to 15 working days. It might change according to the visa type, the number of applications, the completeness of the applications, and so on.
South Korea Visa Fees for Indians
How much it costs for South Korea visa for Indians depends on the duration of stay and the number of entries, which is listed below.
- Single-entry visa for up to 90 days of stay: USD 40 (about INR 3338.76).
- Single-entry visa for at least 90 days of stay: USD 60 (about INR 5008.14).
- Double-entry visa: USD 70 (about INR 5842.83).
- Multiple-entry visa: USD 90 (about INR 7512.21).
Please note that there might be extra fees when applying through a visa agency. As the visa fee is paid for processing and evaluation, it will not be returned no matter when the application is revoked or rejected.
What to Do if my South Korea Visa is Rejected
The visa officer makes the final decision on whether a South Korean visa for Indians will be issued or not. Your application might be rejected due to a criminal record, inaccurate information, insufficient documentation, and so on. Here are some suggestions on dealing with refusal.
- Contact the consular office or visa agent to find out why your application is accurate.
- File an appeal if you think it unreasonable and provide additional proof to support your appeal. Turn to an attorney or consultant if necessary.
- Re-apply for a visa if it is impossible to appeal. Try to avoid the same mistake as previous applications.
Bonus: Get South Korea Visa Photo Online
As part of the requirements, whether the visa photo satisfies the official specifications will have an influence on the result of the application. Nowadays, It’s getting more and more popular to take photos at home with a mobile phone or digital camera, which is more cost-efficient and time-saving. However, it might be difficult to ensure photo comprise. In this case, it is suggested to use a passport photo maker, for example, AiPassportPhotos.
It promises to generate a 100% acceptable biometric photo within a few seconds and one click. All you need is to take a photo according to the instructions and upload it to the Korean visa photo maker. It will automatically scan the image, resize photo to 35x45mm for Korea visa, and replace any unsuitable background. Finally, you can download the picture and print it out at any photo store or stationary store.
FAQ
Q: Can Indians apply for visa on arrival in South Korea?
A: No. South Korea visa on arrival for Indian is unavailable and the visa must be obtained before arriving.
Q: Can I apply for a South Korean visa offline?
A: Yes. It could be applied at the embassy, consulate, or visa center.
Q: Is there any age restrictions for applying for Korea visa?
A: No, as long as the applicants meet the requirements for the intended visit type.
Q: How much bank balance is required for a South Korea tourist visa?
A: There is no fixed amount which depends on the length of stay, purpose of traveling, and where an individual applies from. It is suggested to have at least USD 1,000 to 3,000.
Conclusion
A South Korea visa for Indians must be applied from the country of residence at an embassy, consulate, or visa agency before setting out. The requirements, processing time, and application fees vary according to visa type, so it is necessary to choose the most suitable one according to our instructions. We hope you obtain the visa successfully and have a nice trip.
Erin Lo