South Korea has confirmed that its visa-processing-fee waiver for the C-3-2 short-term group visa will remain in place for another 18 months, through 30 June 2026. The waiver eliminates the 18,000-won (about US $12.50) fee normally levied on each traveller when itineraries are booked through accredited agencies. China remains South Korea’s largest source market, accounting for nearly 30 % of all arrivals in late-2025. By locking in the fee waiver during the 2026 peak-travel cycle, Seoul hopes to cement the country’s recovery to – and in some segments beyond – pre-pandemic arrival volumes.([gulfnews.com](https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/south-korea-waives-group-visa-fees-for-six-countries-what-tourists-need-to-know-1.500399451))
For Chinese corporates, the decision lowers marginal costs for incentive trips, conferences and factory-audit delegations. Business-travel budgets that previously absorbed visa-processing fees can now be redirected to accommodation upgrades or ancillary leisure activities, making South Korea more competitive against Japan and Singapore for regional meetings and events.
Travel agencies on both sides of the Yellow Sea report a surge in February-through-May bookings, with particular demand for K-culture packages that bundle factory visits with K-pop concerts and medical-tourism check-ups. Airlines are responding by adding charter frequencies from second-tier Chinese cities such as Chongqing, Wuhan and Shenyang.
![South Korea Extends Visa-Fee Waiver for Chinese Group Tourists to June 2026]()
Whether you're organising a delegation or travelling solo, VisaHQ can streamline the paperwork from China by pre-filling forms, verifying supporting documents and steering you toward the correct fee-exempt C-3-2 group channel—or, when necessary, alternative visas. Visit https://www.visahq.com/china/ to see how our China desk helps clients secure South Korea, Japan, Thailand and dozens of other destinations in one dashboard.
Companies sending China-based assignees to Korean manufacturing plants should ensure their designated agencies use the fee-free C-3-2 channel and retain stamped manifests in case of spot-checks at immigration. Individual business travellers, meanwhile, must still pay normal fees or qualify for Korea’s K-ETA authorisation.
The waiver underscores a wider regional trend: Korea, Japan and Thailand all now offer some form of cost-free entry to court the high-spending Chinese market. Mobility managers should continue monitoring fee-waiver expiry dates and group-size requirements to optimise travel budgets in 2026.
For Chinese corporates, the decision lowers marginal costs for incentive trips, conferences and factory-audit delegations. Business-travel budgets that previously absorbed visa-processing fees can now be redirected to accommodation upgrades or ancillary leisure activities, making South Korea more competitive against Japan and Singapore for regional meetings and events.
Travel agencies on both sides of the Yellow Sea report a surge in February-through-May bookings, with particular demand for K-culture packages that bundle factory visits with K-pop concerts and medical-tourism check-ups. Airlines are responding by adding charter frequencies from second-tier Chinese cities such as Chongqing, Wuhan and Shenyang.
Whether you're organising a delegation or travelling solo, VisaHQ can streamline the paperwork from China by pre-filling forms, verifying supporting documents and steering you toward the correct fee-exempt C-3-2 group channel—or, when necessary, alternative visas. Visit https://www.visahq.com/china/ to see how our China desk helps clients secure South Korea, Japan, Thailand and dozens of other destinations in one dashboard.
Companies sending China-based assignees to Korean manufacturing plants should ensure their designated agencies use the fee-free C-3-2 channel and retain stamped manifests in case of spot-checks at immigration. Individual business travellers, meanwhile, must still pay normal fees or qualify for Korea’s K-ETA authorisation.
The waiver underscores a wider regional trend: Korea, Japan and Thailand all now offer some form of cost-free entry to court the high-spending Chinese market. Mobility managers should continue monitoring fee-waiver expiry dates and group-size requirements to optimise travel budgets in 2026.
