Views: 257 Author: Hedy Publish Time: 2023-09-01 Origin: Site
If you wish to visit the Republic of Korea (South Korea) as a tourist, you usually don't require a visa. However, if your journey will last more than 90 days (30 days for some nations), you will require a tourist visa. You may apply for a tourist visa online or at the nearest Korean embassy or consulate. When you proceed through customs at the point of entry, immigration agents will issue you your visa.
Determine whether you require a tourist visa. Most nationals of most countries can visit Korea as tourists for a limited time without a visa. Generally, you can stay for up to 90 days, while other nations limit you to 30 days.
Even if you are travelling to Korea to participate in tourist activities, you will need a visa if you want to remain for an extended period of time.
Select the visa category that best fits your travel needs. In general, B and C visas are for short-term stays. Typically, you'll need the B-2 general tourist visa. However, depending on your place of origin, alternative tourist visas may be more acceptable for you.
For example, if you are a Chinese national and are traveling to Korea with a tour group, you would need a C-3-2 group tourist visa.
Get your passport photo taken. Most pharmacies, bargain retailers, and photographic establishments provide professional passport photo services. The photo for your visa should be less than three months old and distinct from the photo on your passport, even if you just acquired your passport.
If you intend to apply online, make sure you have a digital copy of your passport photo that you can upload.
Fill out your visa application form. You must fill out an application that includes information about yourself, your citizenship, and your reasons for wishing to visit Korea. Answer each question thoroughly and truthfully.
You can also apply in person at the nearest Korean embassy or consulate. Tip: A previous criminal record or other bad information will not inevitably result in your tourist application being denied by Korean immigration officers. However, if they discover that you lied on your application or left out any significant information, your application will be dismissed.
Gather the paperwork needed for your visa type. At the very least, you'll need your passport or copies of your passport's bio pages. When you enter Korea, your passport must be valid for at least three months. Other papers will be required depending on the type of tourist visa you have filed for and your plans in Korea.
For example, if you are a Chinese national traveling with a tour group on a group tourist visa, you'll need a confirmation page showing that you're booked for the tour, along with information about the tour company and where you'll be staying while you're in Korea.
You'll likely need to show that you have a return flight out of the country before your visa expires along with information about your accommodations in Korea. If you're staying with friends or family while in Korea, you'll likely need a letter from them.
Use the visa site to electronically submit your application. If you submit your full application through the site, you may follow the status of your application using your account there. Any correspondence from Korean immigration officials reviewing your application will be delivered through the site as well.
You must pay your application fee electronically if you submit your application electronically. Your application cost will vary based on your country of origin. Payment for the visa gateway is accepted via major credit and debit cards.
You are not required to pay your application fee at the same time you submit your completed application. Your application, however, will not be processed until the cost is paid.
Locate the nearest Korean embassy or consulate to submit your application in person. If you suspect there may be questions or issues regarding your application, you may want to submit it in person. This will give you the opportunity to talk to a Korean consular officer directly about your application.
If you're submitting your application in person, you can still fill out the application online if you want. Print the completed application and take it with you to the Korean embassy or consulate.
Warning: If you submit your application in person, you must pay your application fee immediately. Call ahead to find out what methods of payment are accepted. Many Korean embassies and consulates don't take credit or debit cards.
If you have a sponsor, wait for confirmation. If you're staying with friends or relatives, or if you're being sponsored by an organization, they'll need to confirm the specifics of your visit that you gave on your application. Check with them to see whether they've been contacted yet. To minimize delays, you want them to confirm your application as quickly as possible.
For example, if you are visiting Korea as a medical tourist to have a medical treatment performed as well as participate in tourist activities, you will normally want certification from the doctor or the facility where the operation will be performed.
Most tourist visas don't require a sponsor. However, if you're concerned that your application might be denied, a sponsor might help improve your chances.
Find out if your visa has been issued. Generally, visa applications are processed within 5 business days. If your situation is more complex or if the consular officer needs additional documentation, there could be delays.
Your passport will be programmed with electronic visas. When you arrive at the point of entry, you will be given a print visa.If you require a paper visa in your passport before traveling to Korea, you must present your passport to the nearest embassy or consulate. When your visa is complete, they will return your passport to you with the visa inside.
If your application is declined, you will most likely not be told why. You may, however, reapply immediately. If your application is declined, no portion of your application cost will be reimbursed, and you will be required to pay the entire amount again if you chose to apply again.
Print your confirmation that your visa has been issued. If you applied for your visa online through the visa portal, check your email for confirmation. You can also print the confirmation from your account on the portal. Keep the confirmation page with your passport and any other travel documents.
If you apply for your visa in person at a Korean embassy or consulate, you will get a letter of confirmation in the mail. When you visit to Korea, bring that confirmation letter with you.
Fill out a declaration form for your possessions. You must report exactly what you are bringing into the nation at the port of entry. Customs inspectors may check your luggage to ensure that the things you carried correspond to those specified on your declaration form.
If you bring something that is not permitted in Korea, it may be confiscated and you may not be able to get it back. To avoid this, before you begin packing for your vacation, review the list of prohibited products.
On the plane, fill out your arrival card. As you approach Korea, flight attendants will distribute arrival cards to all non-Korean nationals. The arrival card includes your name, passport information, and information on your flights into and out of the country.
Read the instructions thoroughly and input your information neatly and legibly.
Show the immigration officer your passport and documentation. When you enter customs, there will be two lines: one for Korean citizens and one for everyone else. Prepare your passport, visa confirmation, declaration form, and arrival card before entering the queue for non-Korean nationals.
The customs officer will examine your documentation and check your identification. They could also inquire about your vacation or plans in Korea.
If the customs officer grants you permission to enter the country, they will stamp your passport with your visa. Keep track of when your visa expires and make sure you leave the country before that date. While an expired tourist visa can be extended, it is a tough procedure with no promises.
Warning: Having a visa does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter Korea. Korean immigration officers have broad authority to determine who will be allowed into the country.
Visit a Tourist Information Center (TIC) if you have any questions. The TICs at international airports and at the K-Style Hub in Seoul offer information and resources for all types of tourists in Korea. At the TIC, you can learn about Korean attractions as well as other facilities and resources available for tourists.
