How long can I stay in Korea as a visitor? That will depend on your nationality and the type of visa you have. South Korea welcomes visitors as long as they have the right documents and meet the requirements. Currently, there are 100 nations permitted to enter South Korea without visas for a limited time. These visitors can stay in the country for up to 90 days per visit, provided they meet specific conditions.
Such visitors are issued visa-exempt permits called South Korea ETA, an online visa waiver document that can be completed in minutes. Before applying for the ETA, you should know whether your country is on the list of visa-free countries.
If you are not from a visa-exempt country, how long you can stay will depend on the validity of your visa.
Countries That Qualify For Visa South Korea Visa Waivers
The K ETA is issued to eligible foreigners for tournaments, leisure, or short business trips. There are 30 days visa exemptions, 90 days visa exemptions, and 180 days visa exemptions. Canadians enjoy 180 days visa exemptions in South Korea.
90 days Visa Exemptions: Travelers that can stay for 90 days without visas include Antigua and Barbuda, Algeria, Austria, Armenia, the United States, the United Kingdom, all EU States, and others. Their ETA becomes active the moment they set foot on Korean soil, and they must conclude their assignment or activity and leave the country before or before the 90th day. While in the country, they are not allowed to work.
30 days Visa Exemptions: A few countries like Benin, South Africa, Brazil, and others are on the 30 days Visa exemption list.
How To Apply For South Korean ETA?
Eligible visitors don’t have to visit the South Korean embassy in their countries if they plan to stay for the approved number of days. They can fill out and submit the form online by doing the following.
Visit VisaHQ
Choose South Korea as your destination
Choose your country as your citizenship
Select K ETA
Complete the application form
Attach the required travel documents
Pay the application fee
Submit for approval
The approved K ETA will be sent to your email address and is automatically linked to your passport. Make sure you travel with the same passport.
Types of South Korea Visas
Travelers who do not come from any of the visa-free countries can still visit the Republic of South Korea, but they must get visas first. These visas are divided into two categories: the single entry visa, which allows for 90 days visit, and the multiple entry visa, which allows for frequent entries. The visa remains valid as long as it hasn’t expired.
Here are the types of South Korean Visas
Tourist Visa: This visa is mostly issued as a single-entry visa, but frequent visitors may apply for a multiple-entry version if they want to visit more than once a year.
Business Visa: A business visa is a business person, investors, consultants, representatives of foreign companies, and guests to meetings, seminars, workshops, and any business-related engagement.
Family Visit Visa: This is for persons visiting family members for over 90 days. The family member may be a Korean citizen or permanent resident.
Work Visa: This is the only document that gives a foreigner a legal permit to work in South Korea. It is often issued to persons coming for long-term work.
Working Holiday Visa: A working holiday visa is issued to persons from selected countries who can spend holidays and work simultaneously. Only selected foreigners qualify for it. They must be between 18-30 years and have at least KRW 3 million in their account to last the trip. They must also have a clean criminal record and come from Belgium, Canada, Austria, Australia, Chile, Denmark, or the Czech Republic.
Visa Requirements For South Korea
Applicants must submit the following documents to qualify for the visa
Visa application form
Valid passport with two blank pages and at least 6 months of validity left
Passport sized photos
Return or onward ticket
Proof of funds to cover the trip
Proof of accommodation
Visa payments receipt
Reference or acceptance letter depending on the visa type
Employment letter from employer
Invitation letter from a host
Note: The documents that will be requested will depend on the type of visa you apply for. Note that only valid documents will be accepted. Submitting fake documents will lead to visa denial.
Visa-free visitors may also apply for an arrival card once they arrive in the country, which will be approved immediately. How long can I stay in Korea? That will depend on your nationality or the type of visa you have. If you are eligible for visa-free entry, visit VisaHQ now to apply for K ETA.