A Comprehensive Guide to Applying for a South Korean Tourist Visa

South Korean tourist visas are categorized into various types, each with its own regulations. Securing one is not overly difficult if you prepare the required documentation as per consulate specifications.

All-inclusive Tips for Obtaining a South Korean Tourist Visa

Where to Apply for a South Korean Tourist Visa?

Firstly, you should visit the Consular Section – the Embassy of South Korea in Hanoi at the 7th floor, Charmvit Building, 117 Tran Duy Hung or the Consulate General of South Korea in Ho Chi Minh City at 107 Nguyen Du Street, District 1 to receive specific guidance on visa application procedures and to obtain a visa application form (Application Form).

For individuals born from Da Nang northward, register at the Embassy of South Korea in Hanoi. For submissions at the Consulate General of South Korea in Ho Chi Minh City, additional requirements include: Permanent residence registration in the area from Da Nang southward (translated and notarized) and a long-term labor contract (attached with a legally notarized English translation).

For those born in other areas, submissions are made in Ho Chi Minh City. If opting to submit visa applications in Hanoi, similar documentation as above must be provided.

Required Documents

1. Passport: Valid for at least 6 months for visa applications under 90 days.

2. Visa Application Form (with a 3.5 × 4.5cm photo taken within the last 3 months), obtainable from the Embassy of South Korea or download here.

Note: The form must be completed in either Korean or English. Name and date of birth in the visa application must match those in the passport. In cases where children share passports with parents, an additional photo of the child must be affixed to section 34 of the Visa Application Form.

3. Proof of Occupation, both original and translated into English or Korean and notarized by the state:

- Employment contract or appointment letter

- If listed on the business registration certificate, this document can serve as proof of profession.

- Leave application for tourism

4. Proof of Financial Capability (original and translated into English or Korean and notarized by the state):

- Savings account with a minimum deposit of 5,000 USD or 100,000,000 VND

- Additional supporting documents (photocopies): Land use rights certificate – Real estate, securities, automobiles, etc.

- Confirmation of salary for the last 3 months (can be verified by the company or using bank transaction statements, or a company-stamped payroll)

- Personal income tax return for the last 3 months

- Certificate of participation in social insurance for the last 3 months

- In case you lack financial capability, you can prove the financial capability of your relatives, accompanied by documents proving family relationships confirmed by local authorities. For minors, parental consent is required, along with a family relationship certificate.

- If retired: Retirement decision or retirement book.

Exemption from financial capability documents for the following cases: Government employees: additional confirmation of employee or civil servant status; Individuals who have traveled to OECD countries (in the last 5 years) or have visited South Korea more than twice. Additional documentation of entry and exit from these countries (visa copies) is required. List of OECD countries can be found here.

5. Additional Documents

- Notarized photocopy of identification card.

- Tour itinerary accompanied by English or Korean translation (no notarization required) with addresses of planned visitation sites.

- Confirmation of hotel reservation (if staying with relatives, provide specific residential address and contact number in the itinerary)

6. Fee

- 30USD for visa applications under 90 days (typically for tourist visas)

- 50USD for visa applications for a single trip over 90 days

Only accept fees in US Dollars (USD). Rejected applications will not receive a refund of submitted documents and fees.

Key points for visa interviews

Applying for a South Korean tourist visa generally doesn't require an interview, but there are cases where the Embassy may request one. In such instances, it's advisable to thoroughly research the information on the Embassy's website or the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure smooth interview responses.

You need to demonstrate that you have a job, stable life in Vietnam; you have significant ties and are certain to return after the trip. When staying in Korea, you should have plans and activities mapped out. The crucial point during the interview is to be honest, confident, and relaxed, with the mindset that if you don't get the visa this time, there's always next time, or if Korea isn't an option, there are other countries to explore.

Working hours of the visa issuing department

- Document submission hours: from 9am to 12pm every day from Monday to Friday (excluding embassy holidays).

- Result collection hours: from 2pm to 4pm every day from Monday to Friday (excluding embassy holidays).

- The typical processing time for results is about 8 working days from the date of application submission.

- When submitting and collecting the visa, remember to bring your original identification card.

South Korea is implementing relaxed visa policies for Vietnamese tourists

The new visa policy was introduced by the Korea Tourism Organization in Vietnam and the Korean Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City in July 2014.

Accordingly, South Korea has decided to relax visa policies for Vietnamese tourists, offering group visas and multiple-entry visas.

For group visas, only 5 tourists sponsored by businesses listed in the top 500 companies in Vietnam on the website www.vnr500.com.vn are required. These companies must have an annual revenue exceeding 5 million US dollars, and the group must be for educational purposes, applicable to secondary school groups and below.

Tourists under this category can obtain visas in just 3 days for a fee of only 15 US dollars per person instead of the usual 20 US dollars and 7 days. They are also exempt from customs declaration when entering Korea if they obtain visas through the 14 travel companies designated by the consulate and travel on the same flight. Multiple-entry visas are also extended to tour guides, those who have previously visited Korea, and individuals with an income exceeding 8,000 US dollars per year.

Visa Validity

Valid for 3 months from the date of issue and only valid for single entry.

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Reference: Travel Guide on Mytour