Who requires a visa?
Required by all except the following:
(a) 1. nationals of EU countries for touristic and business purposes for stays of up to 3 months (except nationals of Italy for stays of up to 2 months);
(b) nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Brazil, Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Dominica (Commonwealth of), Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Grenada, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Romania, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Surinam, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago and Turkey for touristic and business purposes for stays of up to 3 months;
(c) nationals of Lesotho for touristic and business purposes for stays of up to 2 months;
(d) nationals of Tunisia for touristic and business purposes for stays of up to 1 month;
(e) 2. nationals of most countries, travelling for short-term touristic or transit purposes, are allowed to enter visa-free for a maximum duration of 30 days, provided holding confirmed onward or return tickets and proof of sufficient funds. This regulation applies to: Albania, Argentina, Australia (90 days), Brunei, Canada (6 months), Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (90 days), Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Macau, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, New Caledonia, Oman, Palau, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Slovenia, South Africa, Swaziland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, USA, Vatican City, Venezuala and Yemen.
Note: Many nationals are permitted visa exemptions on other passports, such as diplomatic or official passports. For further details of whether this is applicable and the necessary restrictions of such visa exemptions, it is advisable to contact the nearest Embassy/Consulate before departure.
What documents will be required?
Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months required by all.
Time required to issue visa:
5 working days
How do I apply?
Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section for details.
Application requirements: These may vary according to visa required and nationality of applicant. (a) Passport valid for at least 6 months. (b) Completed application form. (c) One recent passport-size colour photo. (d) Fee, payable by cash or postal order (but not cheque). (e) Stamped, self-addressed envelope, if applicable. (f) Proof of sufficient funds (a bank statement for £1000 if not working in the UK and a company letter if working in the UK). Short-term business: (a)-(f) and, (g) Substantiating documents for the activity of the applicant, eg letter of invitation from the host company in the Republic of Korea, business-related documents etc. Short-term employment: (a)-(f) and, (g) Caree Document. (h) Employment contract. (i) A recommendation, official letter or other documents which prove the necessity of employment by the appropriate Minister of Department. Student: (a)-(f) and, (g) Standard admission letter for students, substantiating the educational ability and coverage of the expense of the applicant, issued by the president or a dean of the University. (h) Substantiating documents for researchers, including a reference, if applicable.
Note: (a) For a national who cannot fulfill the necessary requirements and entry conditions (such as the expiration of passport validity) due to unavoidable circumstances, or is required for further review before a visa can be issued, a conditional entry permit may be granted with a validity of up to 72 hours. In regards to this permit, the chief of a district or branch office may impose conditions such as a reference, financial guarantee, restrictions on duration of stay, a duty to obey summons or other necessary conditions, and, if deemed necessary, a monetary deposit not exceeding 10 million won (US$10,000). (b) When a Republic of Korean national intends to visit Korea (DPR), a ‘Certificate of Visit’ must be issued by the Minister of Unification in advance. If it is an overseas Republic of Korean national who intends to visit Korea (DPR), the chief of a Korean embassy or consulate abroad must be reported to. (c) When a short-term visitor or unregistered national who visited Korea (DPR) re-enters the Republic of Korea, an immigration officer shall issue the same visa which was granted, minus the duration of stay in Korea (DPR). If a national’s duration of stay on the visa expired whilst in Korea (DPR), or remaining period is less than 30 days, a new visa may have to be granted. (d) A national who wishes to enter the Republic of Korea via Korea (DPR) must carry a valid passport and visa. If the national has a visa waiver agreement with the Republic of Korea, they must present a passport, a written paper outlining the reason for visiting Korea (DPR) and E/D Card (Immigration Card) to the Immigration officer at an inspection counter. If the visit was for diplomatic, official or agreement purposes, the national may be exempted from submitting a written paper outlining the reasons for the visit.
What is the cost of a visa?
.
Single-entry (up to 90 days): US$30. Single-entry (more than 90 days): US$50. Multiple-entry: US$80. Prolongation of Re-entry Permit: US$20. The same fees apply for both business and tourist visas. Group visa: valid for temporary visiting diplomats, conference participants, school excursions or other groups administered by the Minister of Justice, whereby a stamp is affixed only in the leader of the group’s passport. Travellers are advised to contact the nearest Embassy/Consulate to discern fees and other details regarding the group visa.
Note: In addition to obtaining a visa, a Certificate for Recognition of Visa Issuance may be requested before applying for a visa to a Korean consulate abroad.
How long is the visa valid for?
Up to 3 months from date of issue, although this may vary.
Other information:
Applications for a residence certificate or for a stay of more than 90 days should be made to the Immigration Office in Seoul.
Travel Visa Pro helps to get a visa to South Korea. Click here for more information.
Embassy contact information:
Please contact the nearest Embassy of South Korea for information on what documentation you may require to enter Belgium.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
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korean lanuage
Korean Language Practice- Want to learn to speak Korean? We provide a basic introduction to the language, including writing practice.
SOUTH KOREAN VISA
Korean Visas
There are many types of Korean visa applications - Student Visas, Business Visas and Work Visas
Temporary Korean Visas
These are normally Business and Tourist Visas. You have the options of choosing single entry visas to Korea and multiple entry visas. Click here to go to our Korea visa main page.
Permanent Korean Visas
These are normally long terms visas, that involve a more complex immigration process. Student visas, long term business visas, immigration visas, etc fall into this category. Our website does not support these services. If you need info, please contact us by phone.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
American citizens are required to have a valid U.S. Passport to enter Korea. Americans must enter with a valid Korean visa.
About Korea
Korea is bordered by Japan, China and North Korea. Korean society is based on Confucianism, which imbibes a deep seated respect and eticate for elders, family, friends and authority figures. As a result, until you are properly introduced to the average Korean, you might be feel ignored, as they do not address you until introduced.
Korea's Weather
Korea has 4 distinct seasons, with a wet summer and cold winters.
Did you know?
The most popular street food is pancakes in Korea (they even have onion pancakes).
Korea Visa Application Resources
Korea Travel Warnings
U.S. Embassy in Korea
Immunizations
Korean Language Practice
About Hangul | Writing | Phrases | Vocabulary
The Korean language is classified as a member of the Ural-Altaic family (other members of this family include the Mongolian, Finnish, and Hungarian languages.) Until the early 1400s, most documents were written in classical Chinese characters (known in Korean as Hanja). As the idiographs are difficult to learn, only the educated people could read and write. King Sejong, the 4th ruler of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), set up a special committee of scholars in 1443 to create a new writing system specifically suited to the Korean language.
The result was Hangul (meaning 'the one script'). It originally contained 28 symbols, although 4 have dropped out of use. The alphabet has 10 vowels and 14 consonants. The consonants represent the simplified outlines of the parts of the mouth and tongue used to pronounce them. The vowels are associated with elements of the philosophy of the Book of Changes.
In 1994, Discovery magazine described Hangul as the most logical language writing system in the world. The simplicity of Hangul led Korea to become one of the most literate countries in the world. U.S. novelist Pearl Buck said that Hangul is the simplest writing system in the world and likened King Sejong to Leonardo da Vinci. Even though Hangul is a system of phonetic symbols, it is categorized as new level of feature system, the first and the only in the world. On Oct. 1, 1997, UNESCO designated Hunminjeongeum as world archive property. Koreans commemorate the creation of Hangul each year on October 9.
The Hangul Characters
Before you begin learning the language, you should take some time to practice writing Hangul.
The symbols are combined into blocks, each one representing a single syllable. Each syllable must start with a consonant, although the iung is silent in the initial position. Text is arranged either in the traditional vertical fashion, with columns reading from right to left (as in some newspapers and old books) or in rows reading left to right (as in most modern novels and magazines). The alphabet may appear complicated, but it is actually easy to learn. Once you are familiar with the characters, looking up words in a dictionary becomes easy.
When speaking Korean, you use formal or informal words and phrases, depending on the status of the person to whom you are talking. For example, you generally use informal speech to children and formal speech to older people. It is better to err by being too formal rather than showing disrespect. However, Koreans do not expect foreigners to be fluent and will usually excuse minor mistakes.
To aid the traveler and expatriate, Life in Korea has created several pages of useful phrases and vocabulary. To truly learn the Korean language, you should enroll in any of the numerous courses offered by Korean universities and private organizations. We also encourage you to try the excellent resources at Learn Korean Now.
Select South Korea Visa Type
South Korea Country Description
The Republic of Korea (South Korea or ROK) is a highly developed, stable, democratic republic with powers shared between the president and the legislature. It has a modern economy, and tourist facilities are widely available. English is often not spoken outside the main tourist and business centers.
Registration & Embassy Location
U.S. citizens living in or visiting the Republic of Korea are encouraged to register through the State Department’s travel registration web site and obtain updated information on travel and security within the Republic of Korea. U.S. citizens may also sign up for warden messages and monthly newsletters by providing their email address at www.asktheconsul.org. The U.S. Embassy street address is 32 Sejong-no, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 110-710. The APO address is Unit 15550, APO AP 96205-5550. Telephone (82-2) 397-4114 (from a cell phone in Korea: 02-397-4114); fax (82-2) 397-4101. Please visit the U.S. Embassy Seoul's consular web site at http://asktheconsul.org/.