Quick answer
Indian passport holders need a visa for South Korea and cannot use the K-ETA. Apply for a short-term tourist visa (C-3-9) through the Korea Visa Application Centre for your jurisdiction, with bank statements, tax returns and bookings. Expect about ₹3,000–4,500 all-in and 7–10 working days. Travellers on authorised group tours have the visa fee waived until 30 June 2027.
At a glance
- Visa type
- Short-term tourist visa (C-3-9) through the Korea Visa Application Centre
- Stay allowed
- Up to 90 days, as printed on the visa
- Fee
- About ₹3,000–4,500 all-in for a single-entry visa including the centre charge; visa fee waived for authorised group tours until 30 June 2027
- Processing
- About 7–10 working days; longer in peak months
- Validity
- Single-entry visas are usually valid for three months from issue
- Apply at
- Official portal
Documents checklist
- Passport valid for at least six months, plus old passports
- Visa application form, filled in and signed
- Recent photo, 35x45 mm, white background
- Bank statements for the last six months
- Income tax returns for recent years
- Employment certificate and leave approval, or business registration
- Return air tickets and hotel bookings
- Day-by-day itinerary and a short covering letter
- For children: birth certificate and parents' documents
Common mistakes that get Indians refused
- K-ETA is only for visa-exempt nationalities; Indians must apply for a visa, so ignore K-ETA sites.
- The group-tour fee waiver applies only to tours arranged by authorised agencies, not to solo or family trips.
- Visa centres get busy before the April cherry blossom season and the October–November autumn colours; apply four weeks ahead.
- Inconsistent documents, such as hotel dates that do not match flights, are a common cause of refusal.
Do Indians need a visa for South Korea?
Yes. Indian passport holders are not visa-exempt for South Korea, so the K-ETA, Korea's electronic travel authorisation, does not apply. Tourists apply for a short-term visit visa, category C-3-9, through the Korea Visa Application Centre (KVAC) that covers their state.
How to apply, step by step
- Download the application form from the Korea Visa Portal or KVAC website, fill it in and sign it.
- Gather documents: passport, photo, six months of bank statements, recent income tax returns, an employment certificate and leave approval, return tickets, hotel bookings and an itinerary.
- Book a KVAC appointment, submit the documents and pay the visa fee plus the centre's service charge, about ₹3,000–4,500 all-in for single entry.
- Wait about 7–10 working days. The embassy may ask for more documents.
- Collect the passport, or receive the visa as instructed by KVAC.
The group-tour fee waiver
South Korea has extended its visa-fee waiver for Indian tourists travelling on organised group tours until 30 June 2027. It applies only to tours arranged by authorised travel agencies; independent travellers and family trips pay the normal fee.
Repeat visitors and Jeju
Travellers with a clean record of earlier trips to Korea can ask about multiple-entry visas, and some categories can apply electronically through the Korea Visa Portal. Jeju island runs its own visa-free scheme for direct international arrivals; eligibility depends on nationality and changes from time to time, so confirm it on the Korea Visa Portal before booking a direct flight to Jeju.
What officers check
At the visa stage, the embassy looks for financial stability and clear ties to India: a job, a business or family. Balances should cover the trip comfortably. At Incheon, immigration takes fingerprints and a photo and checks the arrival card, which can also be filed online. Officers occasionally ask about hotels and the return date.
Families and seniors
Each traveller needs a visa, including children. Seoul's subway is efficient, but transfers at large stations involve long corridors and stairs, so build in time with older parents. Vegetarian food is harder than it looks, since kimchi and many soups use fish sauce or anchovy stock; Indian restaurants in Itaewon and vegetarian temple food help.
Korea pairs well with Japan. If you plan both, apply for the Japan visa first; its processing is usually quicker.
For planning, see the South Korea trip cost guide, best time to visit South Korea and things to do in South Korea. Read the Japan visa guide for combinations, or ask our visa assistance team to prepare the KVAC file.
Frequently asked questions
Can Indians use the K-ETA for South Korea?
How much does a South Korea visa cost for Indians?
How long does a Korean tourist visa take from India?
What bank balance is needed for a South Korea visa?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
