Visa Requirements for South Korean

Visa requirements for citizens of South Korea are administrative restrictions for entry to other countries that apply to South Korean passport holders.

The visa requirements for South Korean passport holders vary according to the destination country, as well as the period of time they wish to spend in the territory and the purpose of the visit.

South Korea’s passport is currently second place in the ranking of the Henley Passport Index, making it one of the most powerful in the world in terms of freedom of travel.

South Korean citizens can travel to up to 140 countries and territories across the world without the need to obtain a visa or with a visa on arrival.

Most visa-free countries for South Korean citizens permit the traveler to visit the destination country for a short period of time between 15 and 180 days without the need to obtain a travel visa authorization.

However, if South Korean travelers wish to stay for longer, or for purposes other than tourism, business or transit, it is usually necessary to obtain a visa to travel to these same countries.

Although it is not necessary to obtain a visa for visa-exempt countries for short stays, it may be necessary for the South Korea traveler to register an online application to obtain an electronic travel authorization before departure.

There are currently over 100 countries across the world that which require an embassy visa or an electronic travel visa authorization for South Korean citizens in order to visit.

Around 25 countries allow citizens of South Korea to obtain a visa on arrival upon border entry. However, this application option often involves waiting in long lines. Many of these countries also offer an online eVisa, which is the more convenient option.

Citizens of South Korea should have a passport with one or two blank pages, valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of arrival, in order to travel to most foreign countries.