If you are planning to visit South Korea you need to apply for a visa first because the country does not allow visas on arrival for Indians. Therefore to get a South Korea visa for Indians it is important to know the purpose of your visit and have a proper travelling plan. Hence in this detailed step-by-step visa application process, you will know all the necessary things to apply for a South Korea visa for Indians. Such as the eligibility criteria to apply for, types of South Korean visas for Indians, visa fees, processing time, document checklist, and how you can apply successfully.
Why Visit Korea?
Some of the interesting places to explore across Korea are its temples, palaces, and fortresses. By visiting all these fantastic places you can experience its imperial past and culture.
However, South Korea’s one of the most famous places to visit is Haeinsa Temple, popular for being the home of the Tripitaka Koreana, which is engraved into 81,258 wooden printing blocks that are still housed here today. Moreover, the other attractive attractions for visitors are:
- Glorious Food
- Changing Seasons
- Connectivity
- Breathtaking Nature
- Modern Architecture
- The Cafe Culture
- City Of Seoul
Eligibility Criteria to Apply for a South Korea Visa for Indians
By having an Indian nationality, if you want to visit South Korea you must fulfill the visa requirements of South Korea. Such as
- Proof Of being an Indian citizen along with a valid passport
- An authentic purpose or reason to visit South Korea
- A police clearance certificate (PCC) that proves your clear criminal record.
- Present proof of having enough financial means to support your trip to Korea
- Show strong ties with your home country as proof of your return to your home country.
Types Of South Korean Visas For Indians
There are generally five visa types and two visa categories for which Indian citizens can apply for visas. Such as short stay Schengen visa and long stay Schengen visa. Moreover, the visa types are as follows:
Tourist Visa
If you want to explore South Korea as a traveller you can apply for a tourist visa. A tourist visa is a short-stay Schengen visa. Hence you can perform the following activities under a tourist visa.
- Can meet their family and friends living in South Korea
- Receive short-term medical treatment
- Attend various events
- Can explore South Korea
Business Visa
A business visa is also applied as a short-stay Schengen visa. However, keep in mind that applicants are not allowed to work in South Korea with a business visa. Moreover, you can perform activities like
- Can engage in commercial activities in South Korea
- Conduct business meetings
- Visit the region to sign contracts
- Carry out small-scale international trade.
Validity Period of Tourist and Business Visa
| South Korean Visa Types | Validity of Visa |
| Tourist Visa With Single Entry | Valid for 3 months |
| Business Visa With Single Entry | Valid for 3 months |
| Business Visa With Multiple Entry | Valid for 3 months |
Student Visa
A student visa can be both a short-term Schengen visa and a long-term Schengen visa depending on the type and duration of your educational degree. Additionally, students can also extend their studies by seeking permission from the authorities. However, a student visa offers Indian students several opportunities including
- Good education
- Explore and enjoy the country’s rich culture
- Gain professional opportunities while studying in South Korea.
Work Visa
A South Korean work visa for Indians helps foreigners to get work opportunities in South Korea. Hence to apply for a work visa it is important to have a job or work contract with an authentic South Korean employer.
However, in some cases, the visa is sponsored by the employer itself. Therefore many work professionals can get the opportunity to work in this country. Such as professors, technicians, and researchers.
A Work visa falls in the category of long stay Schengen visa but it mostly depends on the specific period of your job contract.
Family Reunion Visa
To apply for a family reunion visa you must have someone in Korea to reunite with. Therefore it can be a friend, family member, or relative. Because It is valid only for
- The spouses of South Korean nationals
- Dependent children or spouses of overseas Korean visa holders
Visa Processing Time
| South Korean Visa Types | Processing Time |
| Tourist Visa With Single Entry | 10-12 business days |
| Business Visa With Single Entry | 7-10 business days |
| Business Visa With Multiple Entry | 10-15 business days |
Visa Fee
| Type of Visa | Stay Period | Fees for Indians |
| Tourist Visa With Single Entry | For 30 days | ₹ 6,580 |
| Business Visa With Single Entry | For 30 days | ₹ 6,580 |
| Business Visa With Multiple Entry | For 30 days | ₹ 10,580 |
Document Checklist
If you are visiting South Korea you need to have the documents according to the type of your visa. Such as tourism, business, study, or work. Hence the checklist of required documents to get a South Korea visa for Indians is as follows
Standard Documents Required for Indian Citizens
Some standard documents are required by every Indian citizen to apply for a South Korea visa for Indians. Hence these documents are required to apply for every visa type. Therefore these include
Visa Application Form
A visa application form contains all the necessary and required information of the applicants. Hence it is important to fill it out carefully. Moreover, it can be downloaded from the official website of the embassy. Therefore applicants can submit it both by visiting the embassy personally or online.
However, it is required for the applicants to visit the embassy to provide biometrics such as fingerprints. Additionally, avoid errors in providing information because it can lead to delays in visas.
A valid Passport
Having a valid passport is important and required to apply for a visa, there are few requirements to make a passport valid. Such as
- Your passport must be updated and in good condition
- Make sure that its expiry date is at least three months beyond your intended date of departure from South Korea.
- There must be two blank pages available at the end of your passport for the visa stamps.
Hence it is necessary to renew your passport timely if it lacks any of the conditions required by the embassy
Photographs
Applicants are required to submit two passport-size photographs as a visa application requirement. Make sure that the photos are recent and visible. Moreover, these photos must be clicked on a white background.
Accommodation Plan
One of the standard documents of the visa application checklist is the proof of accommodation. It is important to provide valid proof of accommodation to assure the authorities that you have a place to stay in the destination country.
Therefore it is important to provide the accommodation plan for your complete stay. However, applicants can provide proof of accommodation in several forms such as
- Hotel Reservations
- Rental agreement
- Letter of invitation from a host
Just make sure to provide the complete documentation of your chosen plan of stay. Such as if it’s a rental agreement or staying with a host in the destination country. Therefore it is required to provide the residential proof of your host and landlord, moreover, you need to provide the contract of your stay with your landlord.
Flight Reservations
Presenting your intent to travel to the destination country is important. Therefore applicants are required to provide proof of their travel plan in the form of flight reservations. Moreover, there are several options available in reserving your flights such as
- Round trip flight Itinerary
- One-way flight Itinerary
- Multiple Travel Itinerary
Cover Letter
A cover letter for a visa is a document that allows you to disclose the purpose of your trip and the nature of your relationship with the person whom you are visiting.
This letter is supposed to be addressed to the embassy and includes information such as travel dates, why you are visiting the country, and any extra information that will boost your visa application.
Proof Of Financial Means
Providing proof of financial stability is required. Because it will help to assure the authorities that applicants can afford the expenses of their living, transportation, and accommodation in the destination country.
Moreover strong proof of financial stability shows your strong ties with your destination country. Hence it helps to increase the chance of visa approval.
However, applicants can provide proof of financial means in various ways such as
- Recent Bank statements
- Letter Of Employment
- Sponsorship Letter ( if you are being sponsored by someone for this trip)
Travel Health Insurance Policy
Having a valid travel health insurance policy is required to get a South Korea visa for Indians. Hence make sure to choose an authentic buyer to purchase the travel insurance. Because authorities need to validate it. Moreover, your chosen insurance policy must be valid in the destination country. Additionally, the cost of travel insurance for South Korea depends on two main elements:
- The type of your trip
- What kind of coverage amount or policy do you want to choose
Perhaps the expected amount to pay for basic coverage is around $10 per day.
Documents Required for Tourist Visa
Following is the list of the documents required for a tourist visa
- Flight tickets to and from South Korea
- A cover letter that includes your complete travel details, such as your Itinerary, details of trip expenses, and purpose for visiting.
- Bank statements for at least the previous 6 months.
- Income tax returns.
- Proof of accommodation, such as hotel booking details.
Documents Required for Business Visa
If you intend to visit Korea for a business activity, the following is the visa document checklist to apply for a business visa.
- Evidence of Your Return Ticket
- Copy of Letter of invitation from the company or organization as it describes your visit purpose.
- A copy of the organization registration certificate or Licence.
- Enrollment copy of the invitee company.
Documents Required for Student Visa
To apply for a student visa to South Korea from India applicants are required to provide the following documents.
- Medical reports of the applicant: They must be issued by an authorized medical association.
- Invitation letter from the educational institute in South Korea.
- Bank statements of the previous six months.
- Admission permit of an educational institute in South Korea.
- Sponsorship letter.
- Educational documents.
- Bonafide letter from a university, college, or school.
Documents Required for Work Visa
If you are seeking employment in South Korea hence to get a work visa to South Korea from India you need to fulfill the following requirements.
- Copy of employment contract.
- Professional and educational certificates.
- Recommendation letter.
- Criminal record check.
Documents Required for Family Visit Visa
If you are applying for a South Korean family visit visa, you must submit these necessary documents:
- Return flight ticket.
- Travel itinerary.
- Cover letter from the applicant.
- Invitation letter from family or friends in South Korea.
- Copy of invitee’s resident permit.
- Copy of invitee’s passport.
- Proof of relationship.
- Address proof of invitee.
How Can I Apply?
Applicants can submit their visa application by visiting the nearby embassy or the consulate’s office in India. It is suggested to make an appointment before visiting personally. For details, you can also visit teh official website of the embassy.
Embassy of the Republic of Korea in New Delhi
Address: 9, Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110021
Phone: +91 11 2688 4846
Email: ind@mofa.go.kr
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Mumbai
Address: 102, 10th Floor, Express Towers, Nariman Point, Mumbai – 400021
Phone: +91 22 6638 0600
Email: mumbai@mofa.go.kr
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chennai
Address: 5, 9th Floor, PSK Booshanam Towers, No. 36, Cathedral Road, Chennai – 600086
Phone: +91 44 2811 2700
Email: chennai@mofa.go.kr
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