!Starting 12/21/2020 all applicants mustpre-book an appointment online(Consul 24 ☜click)before they can come in to drop off the application packet in person.
!! Online reservation (DC, VA, MD, WV residents only) Please select “Embassy of Korea in the US” for the selection of the jurisdiction location for your consular service needs.
!!! Appointments can be booked at the following time slots: 9AM-12PM or 3PM-5PM
(Visa applicants are strongly encouraged to book between 9AM-12PM. Afternoon appointments may cause further delays in visa processing.)
□ General Visa Information
Welcome to the Visa Service Section of Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA.
**On November 17, 2008, the Republic of Korea joined the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). As a result, on reciprocity, U.S. citizens can visit the Republic of Korea without a visa for duration of up to 90 days or less if the purpose of the trip is for tourism, business meeting, attendance at a conference or visiting families or relatives. (Extension of stay is not permitted)
A U.S. citizen, who is not qualified with VWP or not eligible to enter to Korea without a visa, is kindly requested to apply for an appropriate entry visa.
A U.S. citizen, who wishes to work, or to engage in profit making activities, is kindly requested to apply for an appropriate entry visa.
For U.S. citizens(only who was Korean or either of your parents/gradparents was Korean), a five year valid multiple entry F-4 Visa is issued. This visa holder can stay up to 2years each time he/she visits the Republic of Korea until their visas expire.
If you are not a resident of one of the states(Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, West Virginia), please contact directly other Jurisdiction Korean Consular Office in your area.
For list of the Countries Under Visa Exemption Agreements, more detailed information, visit
http://www.immigration.go.kr/immigration_eng/index.do
www.visa.go.kr/openPage.do?MENU_ID=10102
** Do not require a visa but must apply for K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization).
Please refer to the K-ETA ->www.k-eta.go.kr
□ Important Notice:
A person with multiple nationalities who has both Korean nationality and foreign nationality is considered a Korean national, not a foreigner in Korea. The applicant’s visa hereby could be cancelled if he/she is proved to be a Korean national and not be a foreigner anymore even though the visa has been issued from the Korean government. Korean government may ask you to submit additional documents related to you and your parents’ nationality when you apply for a visa to check it.
VISA | ELIGIBILITY | REQUIRED DOCUMENTS | ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS | PROCESSING TIME | |
S HO R T - T E RM | C-3-1 | participating in friendly sports-match, events, or conference, visiting families | - Visa Application Form - Passport (more than 6 months) & copy - Photo (2x2) - U.S permanent resident card or valid long-term visa & copy - Hotel reservation information - Confirmed flight Itineraries - Recent 3 months of bank Statement - Fee ※ Fees vary by nationalities | ※ For conferences, events, or business purpose:
※ Visiting families:
| 1~2 weeks |
C-3-4 | short term business, the purpose of market research, consulting, liaison works, signing contract, or similar reasons | ||||
C-3-9 | ordinary tourist | ||||
C-4 | short term working, the purpose of being engaged in profit activities (even though not get paid by Korean company, if you still get paid by U.S company for working in Korea) | (1)Korean Company in accordance with a service-provide contract:
(2)Language instructor at an English camp:
(3)Short-run show, fashion modeling:
(4)Athletic/ Singing competition and others:
(5)Lectures, Public speeches, Researches:
|
L O N G - T E R M | VISA | ELIGIBILITY | REQUIRED DOCUMENTS | ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS | PROCESSING TIME |
D-2 | Student abroad | - Visa Application Form - Passport (more than 6 months) & copy - Photo (2x2) - US permanent resident card or valid long-term visa & copy - Flight Itineraries - Recent 3 months of bank Statement - Fee ※ Fees vary by nationalities |
| 5~10 days | |
D-4 | General Training (Korean Language course) | (1) Language Trainee at University:
(2) Language Trainee by the National Institute for International Education:
(3) Student enrolled in Elementary, middle and high school:
| |||
E-2 | Foreign Language Instructor | Visa Application Form - Passport (more than 6 months) & copy - Photo (2x2) - Health condition form - Flight Itineraries - Fee | (1) E-2-1 Teacher at an English Academy: -Visa Issuance Confirmation Number (2) E-2-2 EPIK (English Program in Korea)
(3) E-2 TALK (Teach and Learn in Korea) -Employment Contract (with the head of a school district school board)
|
O T H E R S | VISA | ELIGIBILITY | REQUIRED DOCUMENTS | ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS | PROCESSING TIME |
A-1 | Diplomats | Visa Application Form - Passport (more than 6 months) & copy - Photo (2x2) - U.S permanent resident card or valid long-term visa & copy (Non-US citizen) |
| 5~7 days | |
A-2 | Foreign government official duty | ||||
A-3 | International Agreement | (1) A-3-2 An immediate family member in accordance with SOFA agreement
(2) A-3-99 Fulbright
|
** Please note that there can be additional documents required by the Consulate after the Consulate reviews your application. Any inconsistencies or false information within the submitted documents may result in visa denial.
