If you are planning to visit Seoul, you may need a visa depending on your home country and the purpose of the visit. Here is how to find out if you need a visa.
Visa Requirements
Visa requirements for South Korea vary based on your nationality, the purpose of your visit, and how long you plan to stay. Be sure to verify the latest rules before your trip to Seoul.
Visa-Free Entry
Travelers from many countries can visit South Korea for tourism without a visa, typically for stays of up to 90 days.
- Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, most EU countries, and many others can enter visa-free for up to 90 days.
- Citizens of Monaco, Paraguay, Fiji, and some others can enter visa-free for up to 30 days.
- Citizens of certain countries, including Russia and Lesotho, can enter visa-free for up to 60 days.
If you plan to work in South Korea, either for a South Korean company or providing services to South Korean clients, you cannot enter the country on a tourist visa or visa-free entry.
Passport Validity Requirements
Foreign visitors who visit to travel to South Korea must have a valid passport and obtain a visa before arrival. Citizens of 84 countries, including the United States of America, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, are part of a waiver agreement. Therefore, citizens of these countries do not need to obtain a visa before their arrival.
The length of these single-entry tourist visas varies from 30 to 180 days, depending on the nation. Citizens of the United States may stay for 90 days. Those who wish to extend their stay or enter multiple times must visit a local immigration office before the expiration date.
If approved, extensions are usually valid for another 90 days. You may also apply for an extension in case of an emergency or unforeseen circumstances, such as a medical emergency or flight cancellation.
There are other situations when travelers are exempt. This includes most travelers connecting to flights bound for another country, Japanese tourists, Chinese tourists bound for Europe, frequent visitors, United Nations members, APEC Business Travel Card holders, and all countries under exemption agreements.
To find out if your country is part of the waiver agreement, then please visit https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TRV/TV_ENG_2_1.jspwhere you can view a list of requirements for each country.
Work Purposes
All foreign visitors who wish to work in Korea must obtain a work visa before arrival from a Korean embassy or consulate in their home country. The process usually takes one to two weeks and can be valid for up to three years from the approval date. Sponsorship of an employer in Korea may be required.
Last Updated on Mar 16, 2025