How Indian passport holders get a visa for South Korea: visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: Sticker visa — apply at VFS / embassy before travel
- Government fee: Approx ₹3,400 single-entry / ₹7,650 multiple-entry, plus a VFS service charge (approx ₹1,380). Confirm current fees on the Korea VFS portal.
- Processing time: Around 5–10 working days from a complete submission
- Maximum stay: Up to 90 days per stay (C-3-9 short-term visa)
- Interview: Not required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 47/100
Documents you'll need
- Passport valid 6+ months with 2+ blank pages
- Completed visa application form (filled online, printed)
- 2 recent photos (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
- Bank statements (last ~6 months)
- Income Tax Returns (last 1–2 years)
- Confirmed flight booking, accommodation & itinerary
- Proof of employment / occupation
How & where to apply
Indian passport holders need a C-3-9 short-term tourist visa applied for in advance — at a Korea Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) in India, or directly at the Korean Embassy / Consulate. India is not in the K-ETA visa-free programme. Korea Visa Application Centre — India (VFS)
Transit & connections
No transit visa needed if you stay in the airport transfer area. Leaving the airport needs a transit visa, or you may qualify for visa-free transit if travelling to/from certain countries (USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand).
How South Korea compares in East Asia
With an ease score of 47/100 this is a moderate-effort application for Indians — start early and follow the document checklist exactly. South Korea requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
| Country | Visa type | Government fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | Sticker visa — apply at VFS / embassy before travel | Approx ₹3,400 single-entry / ₹7,650 multiple-entry, plus a VFS service charge (approx ₹1,380). Confirm current fees on the Korea VFS portal. | Around 5–10 working days from a complete submission |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | eVisa or paper visa — apply via VFS before travel | From 1 April 2026: ₹500 for a single or multiple-entry visa (₹50 for a transit visa). A separate VFS Global service charge applies. | Officially around 5 working days; in practice often 12–15 working days. Appointment booking is required at Indian VFS centres |
| 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | Free Pre-Arrival Registration — 14 days | Free of charge | PAR approval is usually instant to a few minutes online; valid for 6 months and allows multiple 14-day visits during validity |
| 🇹🇼 Taiwan | Travel Authorization Certificate (free) OR sticker visa | Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC): free. Standard visitor visa (sticker) from Taipei Economic & Cultural Centre: roughly ₹4,200 single-entry to ₹8,400 multiple-entry, plus express premium. | TAC approval is instant online (printable within minutes). Sticker visa via TECC Chennai / Delhi typically takes a few working days. |
| 🇨🇳 China | L tourist visa — apply via Chinese Visa Centre in India | Reduced fees effective through 31 December 2026: single entry ₹2,900; double entry ₹4,400; 6-month multiple ₹5,900; 12-month+ multiple ₹8,800. CVASC service fee ₹1,973 (regular) or ₹2,908 (express), plus optional ₹1,800 for express processing. | Standard: 4–6 working days. Express: 2–3 working days (extra fee). Apply in person at a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata. |
| 🇲🇳 Mongolia | eVisa (K2 tourist) — apply online before travel | USD 53 (~₹4,400) for the standard single-entry K2 tourist e-visa. Card payment on the official portal. | Usually 72 hours (3 business days). Apply at least 1 week before travel to allow for queries. |
| 🇲🇴 Macao SAR | Visa-free — 30 days | No government visa fee. | Granted on arrival at Macau International Airport (MFM) or via the Hong Kong → Macau ferry — no advance application needed. |
Fees and processing times are indicative and change with exchange rates and season — always confirm on each country's official source before applying.
Good to know
K-ETA does not cover Indian passport holders — a full visa is required. Fees change; reconfirm on the official VFS Korea-India portal. Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://www.vfsglobal.com/south-korea/india/
No K-ETA for Indians — it is a full visa
A frequent point of confusion: South Korea's K-ETA electronic authorisation covers only listed visa-waiver nationalities, and India is not one of them. Indian passport holders need an actual C-3 short-term visa before flying, applied through the Korea Visa Application Centre (KVAC) or the consulate for your jurisdiction. There is normally no interview for tourism; the file is assessed on paper. Apply three to four weeks ahead in normal season and earlier around Korean holiday peaks.
What the Korean side actually scrutinises
Korean missions weigh financial stability more than raw balance: consistent salary credits, employment tenure and tax records matter more than a padded closing balance. Prior travel history to OECD countries strengthens a first application noticeably. If you have none, a fully paid itinerary, hotel bookings matched to each day and a precise leave letter reduce doubt. Students and young applicants without independent income should include a sponsor letter plus the sponsor's bank and tax documents, and clearly state the relationship.
Jeju and transit nuances
Jeju island has historically operated a separate visa-free entry regime for direct international arrivals, and Seoul's airports offer limited visa-free transit programmes that have opened and closed repeatedly in recent years — both regimes change with little notice, so treat any blog claim (including this one) as a prompt to verify on the embassy site rather than a promise. For a standard Seoul-plus-Busan itinerary, the C-3 visa route above is the dependable path.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for South Korea?
Sticker visa — apply at VFS / embassy before travel. K-ETA does not cover Indian passport holders — a full visa is required. Fees change; reconfirm on the official VFS Korea-India portal.
What documents do Indians need for a South Korea visa?
Passport valid 6+ months with 2+ blank pages; Completed visa application form (filled online, printed); 2 recent photos (3.5 × 4.5 cm); Bank statements (last ~6 months); Income Tax Returns (last 1–2 years); Confirmed flight booking, accommodation & itinerary; Proof of employment / occupation
How long does a South Korea visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: Around 5–10 working days from a complete submission. Government fee: Approx ₹3,400 single-entry / ₹7,650 multiple-entry, plus a VFS service charge (approx ₹1,380). Confirm current fees on the Korea VFS portal.. Maximum stay: Up to 90 days per stay (C-3-9 short-term visa).
How do Indians apply for a South Korea visa?
Indian passport holders need a C-3-9 short-term tourist visa applied for in advance — at a Korea Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) in India, or directly at the Korean Embassy / Consulate. India is not in the K-ETA visa-free programme. Official source: https://www.vfsglobal.com/south-korea/india/
Is a South Korea visa hard to get for Indian citizens?
With an ease score of 47/100 this is a moderate-effort application for Indians — start early and follow the document checklist exactly. No interview is normally required.
Can Indians get a South Korea visa online or on arrival?
South Korea requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
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