Americans trying to obtain a visa to visit or work in South Korea can be a daunting task. For Americans looking to visit, travel, work, or live in Korea, there may be lots of questions like, “what visa type should I apply for? What requirements are there?” and lots more.
We will take a look at and address things like visa requirements including some information about K-ETA visas for Americans, what documents and financial requirements there are, and some tips on how to get a visa and travel to and from South Korea smoothly. Keep reading to learn more!
Visa requirements for Americans
As the United States of America and the Republic of Korea are in a strategic alliance, American citizens can travel to Korea for up to 90 days visa-free with the Visa Waiver Program or VWP. But don’t get too excited, because this type of travel is just for tourism, business meetings, visiting family, or attending a conference. One also can’t apply for an extension of stay and will also need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization or ETA before arriving in Korea.
As for the basic requirements for Americans heading to Korea they include a valid passport with a few blank stamp pages. As for currency restrictions for entering or exiting, there are currently none. But, unless you are planning to visit for only 90 days then you will need the proper and valid visa as well.
Visas: Business, Employed, Unemployed, Freelancers, Students, Minors, etc.
Korea does offer a few different visa types for visitors. Your visa will most likely reflect what it is you plan to do in Korea. So a student and a business person will most likely have different visas and will require some different documentation, too.
- Business– To come to Korea to do business there are several dozen different visa types available. However, pretty much all of them are in the D visa category. Interestingly, the D visa category, specifically the D-10 visa is the visa for those seeking employment in Korea. Usually, this visa type is only obtainable if one has come to Korea. More on that later on, though!
- Employed– Many people come to Korea on an E-2 visa. This visa type is for individuals from designated Anglophone countries or who have studied English for a certain amount of time to come to Korea as English teachers. This visa type allows one to work but must be sponsored by a Korean employer.
- Unemployed– As mentioned above, a D-10 visa is for those actively seeking work in Korea. You cannot enter Korea with a D-10 visa because firstly one must acquire an Alien Registration Card or ARC. But, for example, if one enters Korea on one visa, they can visit immigration to change to a D-10 and find work while still staying in Korea.
- Freelancers– As for freelancers, the F-2 visa is for you. The F visa series is usually on a point-based system, and for many, the F-6 visa is the most common one. The F-6 visa is the visa for spouses of Korean citizens. But if you don’t plan on tying the knot before coming to Korea, then maybe apply instead for the F-2. This visa can be attained if you have high Korean language proficiency. You can prove this proficiency by taking the TOPIK or Test of Proficiency in Korean.
- Students– While the D visa series is often related to work, students who would like to come and study in Korea at a university or elsewhere should apply for a D-2 visa. For student visa applications you will need to provide official transcripts, proof of graduation, and financial documentation to show that a student can support themself while in Korea.
- Minors– For those under the age of 18 wanting to travel to Korea alone they will need a parent or guardian consent form and the standard K-ETA visa as one would need for the standard visitation and tourism purposes in Korea.
Possible visa problems
To try and mitigate as many problems with getting your visa as possible be sure to check, double-check, and triple-check you have all the necessary documents, have visited all the necessary offices, and have had the necessary rubber stamps stamped.
One problem I personally ran into was trying to obtain an E-2 visa while I was already in Korea having been visa-free for a few months. In order to get the proper immigration stamps, I actually had to travel to Fukuoka in Japan to visit the Korean embassy there to get my proper paperwork done. This took about 2-3 days and while it was sort of fun to travel to Fukuoka, it was also some unnecessary stress and confusion for me. When in doubt contact Korea’s immigration services and the American consulate in Korea for any more information.
K-ETA
The K-ETA stands for Korean Electronic Travel Authorization. The K ETA is a visa waiver that allows Americans to travel in Korea visa-free for up to 90 days. This was once something you could do by just pretty much showing up with a valid passport.
But today the K-ETA visa is a mandatory requirement for Americans entering Korea without any other sort of visa ready. To get one, you have to apply online on the official K-ETA visa portal site and the cost is 10,000 Korean Won which is about $10. This is non-refundable and you have to apply for a K-ETA at least 24 hours before embarking to Korea whether that is by plane, ship, or some other means (hot air balloon?).
QR code upon arrival
The Q code system is a way to shorten quarantine inspection and make the whole process a bit more convenient. The Q or QR code is a barcode that can be scanned on your phone. You can get your QR code you have to fill out a series of information online including your passport information, travel itinerary and dates, and your health information including quarantines and vaccines history.
Assuming you have filled out all the right info and your health information is deemed safe for entry you will be issued a QR code that can be downloaded on your phone. You can show this code when entering the quarantine checkpoint once getting off the plane. Though folks with a pre-issued QR code might not need some documents like a negative covid test certificate and health questionnaire, it is a good idea to provide these as well! Though mandatory quarantines have been partially lifted, the QR code is a must for those entering Korea!
Quarantine protocols
As of recently, the quarantine process has become a bit more relaxed. Those who have all of their vaccinations have a QR code, have a more or less normal temperature, and show no signs or symptoms of COVID may proceed with their trip but must also submit a PCR test within 3 days. If one has a high fever, shows symptoms of covid, etc, then you will have to quarantine for 6-7 days at a hospital and will have to pay for your stay!
Bank balances required
When entering Korea, generally a bank balance or bank statement is not required like when entering other countries. However, for people applying for student visas, the student must provide proof of at least $3,000 for a 3-4 month study experience and at least $10,000 for a year-long study experience.
Travel agencies in the United States
If you are traveling to Korea for the first time, don’t feel overwhelmed or daunted! Here is a brief list of some travel agencies that have been approved by the Korean government:
- Aboex Travel and Tours
- Adventure International
- Ark Travel Express, Inc
- First United Travel
- Hanatour
Visa processing time
To make sure your visa is processed on time and promptly be sure to provide all your necessary documents, payments, and information on time and to the correct offices. If you have checked all of the above then your visa may take anywhere from 14 business days to 30 business days. Now, remember those are BUSINESS days so it may feel like longer. So, try to submit it on a Monday!
Just some of my tips!
I first traveled to South Korea back in 2014. I have traveled back and forth from other countries and back to South Korea again. Here are some of my tips from my experiences getting two different visa types;
- Show up early, for any and all appointments. Some steps of the visa process will require you to show up to offices and submit documents in person.
- Try to keep fit and healthy, many visa types will require a clean bill of health!
- If you partake in drugs do try to quit, Korea drug tests for certain visa types and a positive drug test will complicate your ability to enter Korea.
- Always make and carry copies of your documents, even old documents from prior visa applications.
- The easiest way to get your visa is in your home country, I tried to acquire documents while abroad and it was a real headache and nightmare!
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends, family, your potential future employer, or the Korean or American consulates or embassies.
- Don’t feel pressured to accept offers from recruiters or others who will try to get you to come to Korea too quickly.
- Familiarize yourself with Korean law to make sure your visa fits what you are coming here to do, and be clear on what your rights are while in Korea.
The Visa Waiver Program in USA
The United States of America also offers a visa-free program called the Visa Waiver Program. It allows citizens of up to 40 countries to come to America for up to 90 days for business or tourism. The Republic of Korea is one of the countries included on that list. So, if you are a Korean citizen, you can come and visit America for up to 90 days. Sweet deal!
What are the situations where South Korea can deny your entry (even if you are visa-free?)
South Korea can, however, deny your entry into the country, even if you are visa-free. If you have been convicted of a crime (like violent crime, maybe some speeding tickets won’t get you banned!), if you try to enter the country with certain contraband like weapons, drugs, or “immoral paraphernalia” if you test positive for drugs if you have an invalid visa or passport, if you cannot prove your relationship with your inviter or your inviter is not qualified to invite you into the country, or if your documents can’t be verified.
Say, Anneyanghaseyo!
Korea is known as the Land of Morning Calm. Be sure to keep calm and compile your documents and information, always be on time for visa appointments, and keep a sunny attitude. You will be enjoying soju and noraebang adventures before you know it!
Works Cited
- “출입국/체류 상세 < 하이코리아.” Www.hikorea.go.kr, www.hikorea.go.kr/info/InfoDatail.pt?CAT_SEQ=144&PARENT_ID=11. Accessed 24 June 2022.
- “에러.” Www.visa.go.kr, www.visa.go.kr/openPage.do. Accessed 24 June 2022.
- Fabrique, Mello. “[2021] KOREAN VISA Full List of Accredited Travel Agencies.” The Passport Lad, 18 May 2021, thepassportlad.com/korean-visa-full-list-of-accredited-travel-agencies/. Accessed 30 June 2022.
- “Korea Immigration Service (출입국·외국인정책본부).” Www.immigration.go.kr, www.immigration.go.kr/immigration_eng/index.do. Accessed 24 June 2022.
- “List of Designated Travel Agencies 상세보기|DownloadEmbassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines.” Overseas.mofa.go.kr, overseas.mofa.go.kr/ph-en/brd/m_3283/view.do?seq=745061&page=1. Accessed 30 June 2022.
- “Message for U.S. Citizens: Korea Electronic Travel Authorization Required as of September 1.” U.S. Embassy & Consulate in the Republic of Korea, 19 July 2021, kr.usembassy.gov/072021-message-for-u-s-citizens-korea-electronic-travel-authorization-required-as-of-september-1/. Accessed 30 June 2022.
- “South Korea International Travel Information.” Travel.state.gov, travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SouthKorea.html#:~:text=Entry%2C%20Exit%20and%20Visa%20Requirements&text=Most%20U.S.%20passport%20holders%20traveling. Accessed 24 June 2022.
- “Visa Waiver Program Requirements | Homeland Security.” Www.dhs.gov, www.dhs.gov/visa-waiver-program-requirements.
- “Visas.” U.S. Embassy & Consulate in the Republic of Korea, kr.usembassy.gov/visas/. Accessed 24 June 2022.
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Hi, this article was written by an actual American living in South Korea that I got from Fiverr. If you liked his writing, you can hire Horank on Fiverr.
Jeric Evaristo, Creator