Latest instructions for applying for a Korean tourist visa

Is it difficult to apply for a Korean tourist visa ? What are the regulations when applying for a tourist visa in Korea? Is it expensive to apply for a Korean tourist visa? Let’s join Soha Travel to answer frequently asked questions when applying for a Korean tourist visa. Korea is a favorite destination for many people, from its unique culture, impressive cuisine and famous tourist destinations. Many people want to travel to Korea but are very concerned about whether it is difficult to apply for a Korean Visa? Is it expensive? How to prove finances?… Now, Soha Travel would like to answer the most detailed questions about Korean tourist Visa, we hope you will have a happy trip in the land of Kim Chi.

What is Korean Tourist Visa?

A Korean visa is a legal document issued by a Korean diplomatic agency, allowing foreigners to enter and stay in Korea for a certain period of time, depending on the purpose of the visa application.

Features of Korean tourist visa:

Purpose: For those who want to come to Korea for tourism, sightseeing, vacation. Duration: The duration of stay is determined on the Visa. Depending on each case and nationality of the Visa applicant, the duration can be 30 days, 60 days, 90 days,… and there is the possibility of applying for a Visa extension. Not allowed to work: For Korean tourist Visa, the Visa holder is not allowed to participate in work or business activities in Korea.

How many types of Korean tourist visas are there?

Korean tourist visas are divided into 2 types: Single Visa (Visa for one entry) and Multiple Visa (Visa for multiple entries). Single Visa: Visa allows entry to Korea only once during the validity period of the Visa. This Visa is suitable for those who want to visit Korea once in a short period of time. After leaving Korea, if they want to re-enter Korea, they need to apply for a new Visa. Multiple Visa: This Visa allows the visa applicant to enter and exit Korea multiple times during the validity period of the Visa. Multiple Visa is suitable for those who need to enter Korea frequently such as for work, business cooperation and family reasons. Multiple Visa will require more complicated documents and conditions than single entry Visa.

Korean Tourist Visa (Visa C3)

According to regulations, Korean C3 Visa is a short-term visa issued to foreigners traveling to Korea for less than 90 days. This type of visa is suitable for the following purposes: tourism, visiting relatives, medical treatment,…

C3 Visa Classification

Depending on the purpose of entry, Korean C3 Visa is classified into different sub-types. Common types of Korean C3 Visa for Vietnamese people:

• C-3-1: Short-term general visa
• C-3-2: For tourist groups visiting Korea
• C-3-3: Medical tourism visa
• C-3-4: Short-term business visa
• C-3-6: Business visa under sponsorship
• C-3-9: Short-term tourist visa
• C-3-91: Metropolitan Visa, 5-year multiple entry visa.

In Vietnam, Visa C-3-9 and Visa C-3-91 are the most popular types of tourist visas because the procedures are not too complicated and you can visit multiple times (For Visa C-3-91).

Conditions for applying for Korean C3 tourist visa

• Passport: Passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry into Korea.
• Criminal History: No criminal history, no criminal record.
• Health: Not suffering from infectious diseases or diseases on the list of diseases prohibited from entering Korea.
• Finance: Proof of employment, business license, pension certificate or other financial documents: House papers, land papers,… In many cases, a savings book with an amount of over $5,000 is required.

Instructions for preparing documents for applying for a Korean tourist visa

To apply for a Korean tourist visa, below are the basic documents you need to prepare before starting to apply for a visa:

Personal profile:

• Passport: Prepare a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of entry into Korea.
• Personal documents: Notarized copy of citizen identification card (ID card).
• Portrait photo: 2 portrait photos 3.5cm x 4.5cm taken within the last 6 months.
• Confirmation of residence: Certificate of residence (CT07, CT08) for one year or more.
• Marriage: Marriage certificate or marriage extract within the last 3 months.
• Visa Application: Visa application form with photo attached.
• Itinerary: Travel itinerary, hotel reservations,…

Proof of work:

Financial proof:

• Savings book and financial verification paper.
• House ownership papers, house rental contract.
• Certificate of ownership of other assets: vehicles, stocks, shares,…

** Note: All copies must be printed on 1 side on A4 paper.

Procedure for applying for a Korean tourist visa

1. Prepare documents

• Prepare documents as instructed above.

2. Make an appointment and submit your tourist visa application:

• Make an online visa appointment 2 days in advance.
• Bring your prepared Visa application to the Korean Embassy (for those with registered residence from Da Nang to the North) or the Korean Consulate (for those with registered residence from Da Nang to the South).
• Pay Korean Visa application fee.

3. Waiting for approval:

• The processing time is usually 11-16 days, depending on the case, it can be longer due to the need for additional documents. During that time, you can check the Visa status on the website.

4. Get a Korean tourist visa:

• Once the Visa result is approved, the center will send you a notification via SMS. Once you receive the notification, you can come to the center to receive your passport during business hours or you can receive your visa by post.

Notes when applying for a Korean tourist visa

• Check the validity of your passport: If the validity of your passport is less than 6 months from the date of entry, your visa application will be denied.
• The validity of a short-term visa is 3 months. If you do not enter Korea within 3 months, it will expire . Therefore, you should review your travel schedule to avoid applying for a visa too early or too late.
• When applying for a Visa, if you submit missing documents, you need to supplement the missing documents as soon as possible (for short-term business visa C-3-4, you must supplement within 2 days). If you supplement after 2 days, the visa application process may be disadvantaged.
• When coming to receive the visa results, you need to bring your CCCD (original) and appointment slip (original) . In case someone comes to receive it on your behalf, you need to bring documents proving the relationship: Birth certificate, marriage certificate, household registration book,…
• In case of visa refusal, you can reapply after 6 months (for marriage visa) and 3 months for other types of visa.