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South Korea visa from India

South Korea Tourist Visa (C-3-9) / K-ETA · Up to 90 days (visa-free with K-ETA for eligible nationalities; Indian applicants require a visa)

Official source: Korea Visa Portal / K-ETA
Featured answer

Indian citizens need a tourist visa (C-3-9) to visit South Korea for stays up to 90 days. Indian passport holders are not eligible for the K-ETA visa-free entry. Applications are submitted through the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) on behalf of the Embassy of Korea.

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informational → transactional

'South Korea visa from India' is primarily informational — the process varies based on the applicant's category and prior travel history — and secondarily transactional. The snippet answers the headline facts, then routes to the apply modal.

Primary keyword

South Korea visa from India

Tourist Visa (C-3-9)K-ETA (for eligible nationalities)KVAC submissionEmbassy of Korea in IndiaUp to 90-day stay

Overview

South Korea requires Indian tourists to hold a valid visa before travel — the K-ETA visa-free entry does not apply to Indian passport holders. The tourist visa (C-3-9) allows stays of up to 90 days for tourism, family visits, or short-term business. Indian applicants submit the application through KVAC (Korea Visa Application Center), which routes it to the Embassy of Korea. The passport is returned by courier after the decision.

Not to be confused with

This page covers the South Korea tourist visa (C-3-9) for Indian passport holders. Indian citizens are not eligible for the K-ETA visa-free entry and must obtain a visa. This page does not cover the South Korea work visa, student visa, or the Working Holiday Visa.

Eligibility

  • Indian passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay.
  • Tourism, family visit, or short-term business purpose.
  • Confirmed return flight and accommodation in South Korea.
  • Sufficient funds to cover the stay.
  • No prior immigration non-compliance in South Korea.

Documents by applicant profile

  • Valid passport and prior passports.
  • Visa application form (completed and signed).
  • One recent photograph meeting Korea visa specifications.
  • Cover letter explaining the itinerary.
  • Approved-leave letter from the employer.
  • Last three months of salary slips and bank statements.
  • Latest Form 16 and income-tax returns.
  • Return flight itinerary and hotel bookings.

Step-by-step process

  1. 1

    Complete the visa application form

    Fill the South Korea visa application form and gather the supporting documents.

  2. 2

    Submit at KVAC

    Submit the application and documents at the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) on behalf of the Embassy of Korea.

  3. 3

    Pay fees at the centre

    Pay the visa fee and KVAC service charges at the counter; keep the receipt for tracking.

  4. 4

    Track and collect the passport

    Track the application online and collect the passport in person or by courier once the decision is communicated, typically within 5 to 10 working days.

Fees

ApplicantFee
Tourist visa (C-3-9), single entryVaries (approx. 30–50 USD range) USDverify
KVAC service chargeVaries by centre INRverify

* Fees marked "verify" must be confirmed on the official portal before payment.

Processing time

The tourist visa is typically processed within 5 to 10 working days from submission. File at least two weeks before the intended travel date, longer during peak season.

Common rejection reasons

  • Insufficient proof of financial means to cover the stay.
  • Inconsistent itinerary or accommodation details.
  • Missing or incorrectly formatted supporting documents.
  • Weak ties to India, raising doubts about return.
  • Prior South Korea immigration non-compliance.

Gaya · Bodhgaya · Patna · Varanasi application path

For applicants in Gaya and Bodhgaya, the nearest KVAC submission centre is typically in New Delhi. The concierge arranges: application form completion, document pre-check by courier from Gaya, submission at KVAC New Delhi, and return passport courier to Bodhgaya or Patna. No biometrics are required for a standard tourist visa, but the physical submission must be made in person or by an authorised representative.

Pan-India note: The KVAC route applies across India, with the primary centre in New Delhi. Concierge support is available nationwide with document pre-check by courier.
Local-market adaptation: South Korea is positioned to Bihar-based applicants as a document-focused East Asian destination with no biometrics — similar to Japan. The concierge route emphasises courier-first document pre-check in Gaya/Bodhgaya, physical submission at KVAC New Delhi, and Hindi/Bhojpuri form assistance. This is distinct from generic pan-India copy.

Frequently asked questions

Related destinations

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Compliance & trust

Last verified
2026-08-02
Source priority
Korea Visa Portal and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea are the primary sources. KVAC is the operational channel. No third-party platform is used as a content source.
Ambiguity flags
  • Fee is denominated in USD and converted to INR at the day's rate.
  • Processing time during peak season may be longer.
  • KVAC submission process should be re-confirmed before travel.
Editor note: Fee figures are indicative. Re-confirm current fees and the latest submission process on the KVAC portal before treating as authoritative.

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