Seoul has confirmed that its visa-processing-fee waiver for C-3-2 short-term group visas will remain in force until 30 June 2026, saving each traveller 18,000 won (about US $12.50). The scheme, available to tour groups booked via accredited agencies, has helped South Korea overtake Japan as the top outbound destination for Chinese tourists during the 2026 New-Year holiday.
The extension also matters to corporate mobility teams. Charter flights from second-tier Chinese cities—Changsha, Ningbo, Zhengzhou—are being added to feed incentive travel and factory-audit delegations. Waived fees can reduce a 40-person business group’s visa line-item by more than US $500, funds that can be reallocated to upgraded hotels or cultural networking events.
![South Korea Extends Visa-Fee Waiver for Chinese Group Travellers to 30 June 2026]()
For travel organisers eager to take advantage of these savings, VisaHQ can streamline the entire process. Via its dedicated China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/), the platform arranges passport pickups, pre-screens group manifests, and coordinates directly with accredited Korean agencies to ensure each application meets C-3-2 requirements—letting HR teams bypass consulate queues and focus on the trip itself.
Nevertheless, compliance pitfalls remain. Travellers must stick to the group itinerary; anyone breaking away may forfeit the fee exemption and be billed retrospectively. Accredited agencies must submit accurate manifests and keep passports together throughout the trip, adding an extra layer of duty-of-care for employers.
The decision underscores a broader regional battle for Chinese spending. Thailand now offers a 90-day visa-free window, while Japan is piloting multi-entry e-visas. Mobility managers should monitor expiry dates, group-size thresholds and changing health-insurance rules to optimise 2026 travel planning.
The extension also matters to corporate mobility teams. Charter flights from second-tier Chinese cities—Changsha, Ningbo, Zhengzhou—are being added to feed incentive travel and factory-audit delegations. Waived fees can reduce a 40-person business group’s visa line-item by more than US $500, funds that can be reallocated to upgraded hotels or cultural networking events.
For travel organisers eager to take advantage of these savings, VisaHQ can streamline the entire process. Via its dedicated China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/), the platform arranges passport pickups, pre-screens group manifests, and coordinates directly with accredited Korean agencies to ensure each application meets C-3-2 requirements—letting HR teams bypass consulate queues and focus on the trip itself.
Nevertheless, compliance pitfalls remain. Travellers must stick to the group itinerary; anyone breaking away may forfeit the fee exemption and be billed retrospectively. Accredited agencies must submit accurate manifests and keep passports together throughout the trip, adding an extra layer of duty-of-care for employers.
The decision underscores a broader regional battle for Chinese spending. Thailand now offers a 90-day visa-free window, while Japan is piloting multi-entry e-visas. Mobility managers should monitor expiry dates, group-size thresholds and changing health-insurance rules to optimise 2026 travel planning.
