For many travellers, South Korea is a dream destination. The country is filled with numerous activities and amazing places to visit.
The bustling streets of Seoul, serene temples, scenic mountains, and K-pop culture have taken the world by storm. Whether it’s for a college trip, a honeymoon, or simply a long-awaited vacation, planning is essential.
The most important thing is knowing the details of the South Korea tourist visa for Indians.
This guide covers everything Indian travellers need to know, including types of visas, essential documents, application steps, fees, and tips to make the process smooth.
And the first step? Securing your South Korea tourist visa. Without this, your trip remains just a plan.
| Content Covers
1. Types of South Korea Visas for Indians 2. Mandatory Documents for a South Korea Tourist Visa for Indians 3. What is the Fee for a South Korea Tourist Visa for Indians? 4. How to Apply for a South Korea Tourist Visa for Indian Citizens? 5. How to Fill the South Korea Form for an Indian Visa? 6. Documents to Fill When Visiting VFS Global 7. Conclusion 8. Frequently Asked Questions |
Types of South Korea Visas for Indians
Understanding the correct type of visa is the first step. South Korea issues several types of visas depending on the purpose of the visit. It can be based on business, study, work, or tourism.
For Indian travellers visiting South Korea for leisure, you need to get a Tourist Visa. There are mainly two options: the Single-Entry Tourist Visa and the Multiple-Entry Visa.
Single-Entry Tourist Visa:
- Valid for up to 90 days
- You can enter South Korea only once
Multiple-Entry Visa:
- Access to enter and exit several times during the validity period (6 months to 1 year)
- Mostly granted to frequent travellers or those with stable financial stability
Mandatory Documents for a South Korea Tourist Visa for Indians
This list contains all the essential documents you should keep ready. Therefore, ensure that you take notes on these and have them all ready when applying for a South Korean tourist visa for Indians.
- Passport: Have your original passport with more than 6 months’ validity.
- Photo: Two recent passport-sized colour photographs.
- Visa Form: Applicant duly filled out the Online Visa application form.
- Occupation Proof: Employment Proof (in case of currently employed) (Any letter issued by the company/organisation should contain the employer’s contact number and contact e-mail address).
- Salary Slip: You need a One-year salary slip. While most countries require 3 months of payslips, in South Korea, you need them for one year. If you have changed jobs, you can present the offer letter along with the pay slips from your current and previous companies.
- Tax Details: A photocopy of the Income Tax Return (ITR) of the last 2 years and PAN Card. (If unable. To submit any of the ITR, a letter of explanation mentioning the reason must be submitted.
- Business: In case you have ownership of any business, submit a 3-year company Income Tax Return and PAN Card copy (in case of proprietor, please submit 3-year personal ITR) and the Company registration copy.
- Bank Details: Recent Bank Statement of the last 6 months [original or photocopy with the bank’s stamp and signed by the bank Authority]
- Business profile details in case of ownership in format only (Please refer to the download form section for format)
- Relationship Proof between the applicant and the sponsor. (If the applicant is sponsored for his travel)
- Health Condition Form (a form that declares your health situation and the symptoms you might have experienced)
Note: Although a cover letter and day-to-day itinerary will not be included in the official checklist, it is advisable to carry them. It can help you with the quick approval process.
What is the South Korea Tourist Visa Fee for Indians?
South Korea’s visa fee is not that expensive. The total amount you will be spending for the visa process is approximately 5,330 INR for a 90-day tourist visa.
That 5,330 INR is split in three ways
- Visa fee- approx 3,400 INR
- VFS fee- approx 1,380 INR
- Courier fee- approx 550 INR (If you hold at the location or apply through an agency, you don’t have to pay the courier fee. But an agency will charge you approx 800 INR)
If you plan to stay for more than 90 days, obtain a long-term single-entry visa. For that, the visa cost would be approximately 5,100 INR. And then you will have to pay VFS, plus the agency fee.
Note: Courier is not advisable because if you are not home or if it gets damaged, you have to go through the process again in case of mishaps. So, always choose to hold at the location and collect the visa from the nearest VFS office.
How to Apply for a South Korea Tourist Visa for Indian Citizens?
Applying for a visa should be accurate and complete, including all necessary documents.
However, you need to find the right portal and fill in the right things. Once you figure this out, you will have a relaxed time to think about all the best things.
So, complete this process and spend time planning to enjoy the nightlife in Seoul, trying local food, or shopping in the best markets.
Step 1: Search for “South Korea visa.” From the list of sites, you need to go to the official visa site, which is “Welcome to Korea Visa Application Centre.”
You can start applying at the KVAC (Korea Visa Application Centre)
Step 2: Once you are on the website, click on the “Apply for a visa”
Step 3: Once it takes you to the next page, click on the “Identify visa type”. Then, a four-line content display appears; from there, you need to click on “Visa Type”.
You are taken to a different page, labelled “Visa Information.” There, if you scroll down, you can see a box; from there, you need to click on Temporary Visit.
Here, you can find all the necessary information on documents, visa fees, and processing times.
How to Fill the South Korea Visa Form for an Indian Visa?
Following the last steps, you may need to continue this process. After selecting the visa time, you can do this.
Step 1: When you scroll down, you can see “Download Forms”, and you have to click on the visa application form that says, “Click here”.
Step 2: You will be directed to a Korean-language page. Click ‘English’ at the top to switch the language. By the end of that page, you need to click on “Fill out the electronic application form”
Step 3: Select the embassy you need to visit.
Step 4: For the ‘Purpose of entry’, select ‘Tourism’.
Step 5: Residence status should be B-2 (tourism/transit)
Step 6: If you don’t have anyone in South Korea to give you an invitation or maybe a sponsor, click no.
Then, a third set of details shows up. You can look into the image below to see the information you need to fill in.
Step 7: Visa Details
This is direct information you can find in your previous visa, or you can give N/A if it’s your first time applying.
Step 8: Passport Information
Have your passport to check all the details needed to fill this part.
Step 9: Contact Information
When you fill in your address, ensure it matches the one listed in your passport. If there are many mismatches, your visa application will be rejected.
Documents to Fill When Visiting VFS Global
In addition to the mandatory documents, you will need to fill out and submit a hard copy of the form mentioned below.
Form 1: For an express visa, fill out this declaration form.
Form 2: For a regular visa, fill in this Declaration Form.
Note: When visiting the VFS office, please bring a hard copy of all the required documents.
Conclusion
Getting your South Korean tourist visa can seem like the most daunting task. However, with clear research, you can make it a straightforward process.
You need to prepare in advance with the proper documents and make the most of this opportunity with no stress.
Once you’ve completed the process, you can fully focus on all the best things to do and the best places to visit in South Korea.
This entire process can be confusing if you haven’t travelled much. I suggest that you contact us. Not just with the visa process, our team ensures you receive the best itinerary and provides assistance throughout your trip.
Frequently asked questions on the South Korea tourist visa for Indians
How early can you apply for a South Korean visa?
At least 2 months before your travel dates are recommended, as the processing time can take up to 15 days.
Can you apply for a South Korea Visa online?
You cannot apply for a South Korean visa online. You can only fill out the application form through KVAC and must submit hard copies of all the documents in person at a VFS Global centre.
Should you get travel insurance for a South Korea visa?
It is not mandatory to have travel insurance for South Korea. However, if you have it, it can help in unexpected situations, such as theft, medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and many more.
Should you buy flight tickets before getting the visa?
You need to submit flight confirmations when applying for a visa. But it’s recommended to book fully refundable tickets or get a reservation that can be cancelled later.
What is the South Korea tourist visa fee for Indians?
As a tourist, you just need a single-entry visa, and it can cost you approximately 3,400 INR.
