Officially known as the Republic of Korea, South Korea is most famously known for its technological advancements and vibrant pop culture. Being primarily a mountainous region where more than 70 per cent of land is covered by mountains, the country exhibits a thriving entertainment industry and world-renowned cuisine, making it one of the major tourist heavens in Asia.
Over the years, South Korea’s immense growth and infrastructure development have allowed its economy to be ranked as the twelve-largest on the planet. The country is also the eighth-largest importer and exporter on the globe. However, of late, South Korea has been facing an aging population, showcasing one of the lowest fertility rates on the globe. With that being said, if you are planning to visit the country any time soon and have already applied for a visa, then be sure to check its current status through our insightful guide right away.
Steps to Check Visa Status Online
The Immigration Center for the Republic of Korea has introduced e-visas (electronic visas) to fast-track the visa application process without having to deal with any major difficulties. The e-visa application can be submitted via the official website, and applicants are required to provide scanned images of their passport pages, digital photographs in natural color, credit card details (for payment requirements), and soft copies of other necessary supporting documents.
If you have already completed the application process, then you can go ahead and search for the current status of your visa via the suggested steps below.
- Begin the status-checking process by heading over to the official website here.
- Click on “check visa application status”. Proceed to choose your visa type.
- Once you have selected your visa type, you need to choose the type of reference information that you want to enter. For instance, if you have chosen “Passport No.”, then you need to enter your passport number for the search to be completed.
- In the next step, enter your full name along with your date of birth. Once done, hit “Search”.
- The present status of your visa will be shown on your screen. You can decide to print your visa status as well.
How to Contact For Help?
If you require any further assistance regarding your visa application, you can get in touch with the Immigration Center for the Republic of Korea via phone at +82-1345. Phone lines are available around the clock. Additionally, you can find a Korea Visa Application Center nearest to you on the official website here.
Overview of Visas
South Korean visas are segregated based on two primary types: the duration of your stay and the purpose of your visit. When it comes to duration of stay, South Korea offers single- and multiple-entry visas that are valid for up to 90 days. On the other hand, visas segregated by purpose of visit have been listed below in detail.
Tourist Visa: Foreigners who simply want to travel to South Korea for tourism or recreational purposes should opt for a tourist visa. Tourist visas can also be opted for if you are planning to receive medical treatment, visiting a friend or family member, or deciding to attend a sporting/religious/musical/cultural event within the country. Tourist visas are valid for up to 90 days.
Business Visa: Long-term business visas are only provided to individuals who are: a specialist willing to work for a private or public enterprise in Korea for installing or operating imported machinery; a specialist willing to work as a specialist or a manager for an organization in South Korea; an intra-company transferee; or a specialist willing to work in a foreign investment enterprise located in South Korea.
Work Visa: If you are willing to work in South Korea, obtaining a work visa is a must. Some of the popular professions include foreign language teachers, professors, researchers, and people who are working in the South Korean Ministry of Justice with the assistance of a private or public enterprise within the country.
Student Visa: Students who are willing to pursue their higher studies via an educational institution located in South Korea are required to apply for a student visa. Student visas can be short-term with a maximum validity of 90 days or long-term with a validity of more than 90 days (especially for language schools or universities).
Holiday Visa: Holiday visas are one-time visas that are only granted to individuals from those countries with which South Korea has a working holiday agreement. The agreement allows South Korea to offer holiday visas, with a maximum validity of one year, and can be utilized for spending vacation along with studying or working (working or studying should be secondary purposes) in the country. Additionally, individuals applying for holiday visas must have a clean criminal record, be between the ages of 18 and 30, and have sufficient funds to cover the trip (at least 3 million Korean won). Also, some of the eligible countries with which South Korea has a working holiday agreement are Canada, Belgium, Australia, Hong Kong, Hungary, Chile, Spain, and the United States.
