South Korea tourist visa
Seoul, Jeju, the spring cherry blossoms — and one detail that catches most Indian travellers off guard: South Korea offers no shortcut. There is no visa-on-arrival and no e-visa for Indian passport holders, and the K-ETA travel authorization that waves through many nationalities does not accept Indian passports. You need a full sticker visa before you fly. The category is the C-3 short-term visit visa; for tourism you apply under sub-type C-3-9, issued as a single-entry short-stay visa.
You complete the application form online on the Korea Visa Portal (www.visa.go.kr), then print it and lodge it with your supporting documents at a Korea Visa Application Centre run by VFS Global or at a BLS International centre — both operate across several Indian cities. Officially, complete and satisfactory applications are decided in about 10 working days; cases sent for further review or an interview take longer. One step sits apart from the visa: before entering Korea, every traveller must file the mandatory e-Arrival Card.
Who this visa is for
- ✓Indian passport holders travelling for tourism, sightseeing or a short leisure trip
- ✓People visiting family or friends resident in South Korea for a short stay
- ✓Applicants who can show sufficient funds, stable income and clear ties to India
- ✓Employed, self-employed, retired or student applicants who can document their financial standing and purpose of travel
Visa options for South Korea
C-3-9 (Tourism / General short-term visit)
Standard single-entry short-stay visa for tourism and sightseeing — the category most Indian leisure travellers apply under.
C-3-1 (General short-term visit)
Short-term visits to family or friends, and attending events or meetings.
C-3-2 (Group tour)
Short-term visit for organised group tours.
C-3-3 (Medical treatment)
Short-term visit for medical treatment or a health check-up.
Documents typically required
- ✓Passport valid at least 6 months beyond travel with two blank pages, plus copies of its first and last pages
- ✓One recent colour photograph, 3.5 x 4.5 cm, white background
- ✓Korea visa application form completed on the Korea Visa Portal (www.visa.go.kr), printed and signed
- ✓Cover letter stating the purpose and plan of the trip
- ✓Confirmed return/flight tickets
- ✓Confirmed hotel or accommodation booking for the full stay
- ✓Day-by-day travel itinerary
- ✓Employment certificate and leave letter (if employed); business registration/GST (if self-employed); or bonafide certificate (if a student)
- ✓Personal bank statements for the last 6 months
- ✓Income tax returns (ITR) for the last 2 years
- ✓Copy of Aadhaar card
Your exact checklist depends on your profile — we confirm it during your case analysis. Every visa decision rests with the embassy or consulate.
Applications are lodged in India at Korea Visa Application Centres run by VFS Global or at BLS International centres, depending on your jurisdiction. The government visa fee is INR 3,400 for a single-entry visa of up to 90 days (effective 1 June 2025), payable in addition to the centre's service charge. Separately from the visa, every traveller must submit the mandatory e-Arrival Card online (at e-arrivalcard.go.kr) within 72 hours before arrival; K-ETA does not apply to Indian nationals.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for South Korea, or is there visa-on-arrival or an e-visa?
Yes — a full sticker visa, every time. South Korea offers Indians neither visa-on-arrival nor an e-visa, and the K-ETA travel authorization does not extend to Indian nationals. You must obtain a C-3 short-term visit visa before you travel.
How long does the visa take, and how long can I stay?
A complete, satisfactory application is officially decided in about 10 working days; files pulled for further review or an interview take longer. The C-3 tourist visa is single-entry and allows a stay of up to 90 days.
Do you guarantee the visa?
No — and be wary of anyone who says otherwise. The decision rests solely with the Korean embassy/consulate and immigration authorities, and no agent can guarantee an outcome. What we do is give you a frank, honest read on your profile and build the strongest, best-documented application possible. Over the last 2-3 years our applications have a 97% success rate.
What is the e-Arrival Card, and do I still need it if I have a visa?
Yes, you still need it. The e-Arrival Card is a mandatory online arrival declaration that replaced the paper landing card. It launched on 24 February 2025 and, after a transition period, became compulsory for all foreign arrivals from 1 January 2026. It is free, separate from your visa, and must be filed within 72 hours before you arrive in Korea — it does not replace the visa.