South Korea Visa for Indians 2026: K-ETA, Tourist Visa & Travel Guide

K-pop, K-dramas, Korean BBQ, and ancient palaces — South Korea has captured the imagination of millions of Indian travellers. Here's how to get your Korean visa in 2025.

Entry Options for Indians

Option 1: K-ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

As of 2023, K-ETA is temporarily suspended for most nationalities including India, and a full visa is required. Always verify current requirements before applying.

Option 2: Single/Multiple Entry Tourist Visa

The standard route for Indian travellers.

Visa Type	Stay	Fee
Single Entry	Up to 90 days	KRW 60,000 (~₹3,800)
Double Entry	Up to 90 days	KRW 90,000 (~₹5,700)
Multiple Entry (5 years)	30 days per visit	KRW 150,000 (~₹9,500)

Application Process

Apply at the Korean Consulate/Embassy in India:

• Embassy: New Delhi
• Consulate-General: Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata

Or through a registered travel agent.

Documents Required

Essential:

• Valid passport (6+ months from intended return date)
• Visa application form + photo (35mm × 45mm, white background)
• Return flight tickets
• Hotel bookings for entire stay
• Day-by-day travel itinerary

Financial:

• 3–6 months bank statements (aim for ₹1–1.5 lakh minimum balance)
• Salary slips, Form 16, ITR
• For self-employed: CA letter, business proof

Employment:

• Leave sanction letter
• Employer NOC stating you'll return

Personal ties:

• Family proof (if married with children — strong tie to India)
• Property documents

Processing Time

Typically 5–7 working days. Apply at least 2–3 weeks before travel.

Korea Travel Essentials

T-money Card: Get a rechargeable transit card for Seoul subway, buses, and even some convenience stores. Buy at Incheon Airport or subway stations.

Naver Maps: Google Maps has limited functionality in Korea (due to data regulations). Use Naver Maps or Kakao Maps — both have English mode.

Korean Food for Indians:

• Bibimbap (mixed rice bowl — usually safe, can request no meat)
• Japchae (glass noodles with vegetables)
• Tofu Sundubu-jjigae (soft tofu stew — request no meat/seafood)
• Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes — often vegetarian)
• Finding fully vegetarian restaurants is harder; large cities have more options.

Connectivity: Rent a pocket WiFi at Incheon Airport or buy a Korean SIM (KT, SKT, U+).

Top Attractions in South Korea

Seoul:

• Gyeongbokgung Palace (wear hanbok for free entry!)
• Bukchon Hanok Village — traditional Korean houses
• Myeongdong — K-beauty shopping paradise
• Hongdae — youthful, artistic neighbourhood
• N Seoul Tower — panoramic city views
• Lotte World (indoor theme park) and Everland (outdoor)

Beyond Seoul:

• Busan: Gamcheon Culture Village, Haeundae Beach, Jagalchi Fish Market
• Jeju Island: volcanic landscape, waterfalls, Hallasan crater hike
• Gyeongju: ancient Silla Kingdom temples and burial mounds (UNESCO)
• DMZ: Demilitarized Zone tour — sobering, fascinating piece of modern history

Best Time to Visit

• Spring (March–May): Cherry blossoms and mild weather — the most popular season
• Autumn (September–November): Red and gold foliage — equally stunning
• Winter (December–February): Ski season at Pyeongchang, fewer tourists in cities

K-Beauty & Shopping in Korea

South Korea's beauty industry is world-renowned, and Seoul is the place to shop:

• Myeongdong: K-beauty brand stores back-to-back — COSRX, Innisfree, Etude, Nature Republic, Laneige, Dr. Jart. Street food vendors weave between shoppers.
• Olive Young: Korea's pharmacy/beauty chain — the best one-stop shop for K-beauty products
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza: Futuristic architecture (Zaha Hadid) + 24-hour wholesale shopping mall for clothing

DMZ Tour — A Unique Experience

The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea is one of the most compelling historical sites in Asia. From Seoul, half-day and full-day DMZ tours depart from Hongik University station:

• Panmunjom/JSA (Joint Security Area): The blue UN huts straddling the border line — you can literally step into North Korea briefly inside the conference room
• 3rd Infiltration Tunnel: Discovered North Korean tunnel dug to infiltrate Seoul
• Tours: KRW 50,000–100,000 (~₹3,000–6,000) including transport and guide

Plan your Korea trip with us — K-visa, itinerary, and all the K-experience you can handle.