South Korea Visa for Indians 2026: Types, Fees, Process & Requirements

Fees note: The Korean Embassy revised visa fees effective 1 August 2026. The figures above reflect the latest published rates. Always verify current fees before applying.

Yes. Indian citizens must obtain a valid South Korea visa before travelling. Unlike citizens of 112 visa-waiver countries (including the US, UK, Japan, and Australia), Indian passport holders cannot enter South Korea without prior authorisation.

The only exception: Jeju Island — Indian tourists can visit Jeju Island visa-free for up to 30 days on a direct flight, but only for short-term tourism on the island itself. Entry is not guaranteed, and the waiver does not permit travel to mainland South Korea (Seoul, Busan, Incheon, or any other city) without a valid visa. See the Jeju section below for the full conditions.

K-ETA is NOT available for Indians. Despite widespread online confusion, the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) is exclusively for citizens of visa-waiver countries. Any website claiming to process K-ETA for Indian citizens is a scam.

Indian passport holders can enter Jeju Island visa-free for up to 30 days, but the facility is strictly limited and does not guarantee entry. The Indian Embassy in Seoul issued a formal advisory (February 2026) after Indian travellers were denied entry and detained. The key conditions:

• Short-term tourism only. The waiver applies only to genuine tourism on the island. Work, study, or any other activity is not permitted.
• Entry is not guaranteed. Final admission is decided solely by immigration officers at Jeju International Airport. Even with all documents, you can be refused.
• No travel to mainland Korea. The waiver does not permit onward travel to Seoul, Busan, or anywhere on the mainland without a valid visa. Attempting to leave Jeju for the mainland without a visa is illegal and can lead to future travel bans.
• Carry printed documents. You must carry printed (not just on your phone): a confirmed return air ticket, hotel reservations for the entire stay, a day-wise travel itinerary, proof of sufficient funds, and a passport valid for at least 6 months. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
• Be ready for an interview. Immigration officers may question you about your itinerary, accommodation, and finances. Answer clearly, truthfully, and consistently. Failure to explain your travel plan can result in denial of entry.
• If refused, you will be returned on the next available flight of the same airline, and may be held temporarily in a holding facility depending on flight schedules.

Bottom line: Jeju visa-free entry is a real facility, but it is conditional and discretionary. If your trip includes any mainland city, you need a full South Korea visa — do not rely on the Jeju waiver.

Use this quick logic to find the right visa, then open the matching guide for the full requirements, documents, fees, and step-by-step process.

• Travelling for tourism, K-culture, or visiting friends/family? → You need the Tourist Visa (C-3-9). Covers fees, documents, the 7-step application process, and approval tips.

  → South Korea Tourist Visa (C-3-9) — full requirements & process

• Attending a conference, negotiation, or market research in Korea? → You need the Business Visa (C-3-4). Covers invitation letters, the CSR process, and corporate travel requirements.

  → South Korea Business Visa (C-3-4) — invitation letters & requirements

• Enrolling in a Korean university or language school? → You need a Student Visa (D-2 for degrees, D-4 for language). Covers admission, financial proof, and the language visa pathway.

  → South Korea Student Visa (D-2/D-4) — admission & financial proof

• Joining a spouse or parent who holds a long-stay visa in Korea? → You need the Dependent Visa (F-3). Covers family reunion requirements and the April 2025 policy changes.

  → South Korea Dependent Visa (F-3) — family reunion requirements

Jeju Island Exception: Indian tourists can visit Jeju visa-free for up to 30 days on a direct flight — but only for short-term tourism on the island. Entry is not guaranteed (decided by immigration at Jeju airport), and the waiver does not permit travel to mainland Korea without a valid visa. See the Jeju section below for the full conditions.

The table below summarises the standard consular fees effective 1 August 2026. For the full cost breakdown per visa type — including express fees and service charges — open the relevant guide above.

Service charge is additional: BLS International charges ₹1,100 per application; VFS Global rates vary by centre. Express processing is available at an extra cost. The full per-type cost table, including express fees and service charges, is covered in the matching visa guide above.

Every South Korea visa application needs a valid passport, a completed application form, passport photos, and proof of purpose. The full document checklist differs by visa type — open the matching guide above for the complete, type-specific list.

• Tourist: itinerary, hotel bookings, return flight, financial proof
• Business: invitation letter, business registration, correspondence
• Student (D-2/D-4): admission letter, CSR, financial proof
• Dependent (F-3): sponsor's visa/ARC, proof of relationship, sponsor income

The application flow is the same across all visa types: choose your visa → gather documents → book an appointment → submit in person with biometrics → pay fees → track → collect your passport.

The detailed step-by-step process, including how to book, what to bring, and how to track, is covered in each visa guide. Open the guide for your visa type above.

Processing times by visa type:

CSR Note: Student (D-2, D-4) and Dependent (F-3) visas require a Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance (CSR) from Korean Immigration. Your Korean sponsor must apply for this before you submit your visa application. CSR processing takes 2-4 weeks and is valid for 3 months from issuance.

South Korea visa applications are processed through two authorised service providers in India:

Note: The Korean Embassy is in New Delhi, with consulates in Chennai and Mumbai. Visit our embassy contacts page for complete details.

• Required for: Most visa applicants at the application centre
• Process: Digital photograph and 10 fingerprints collected at the application centre
• Exemptions: Children under 14 years (fingerprints), children under 5 years, and persons physically unable to provide fingerprints (medical proof needed)
• Important: Unlike Schengen countries where biometrics are valid for 59 months, South Korea requires fresh biometrics for every application — even if you have visited Korea before

For more updates, check our visa news section.

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