South Korea Business Visa - Everything You Need To Know - (Indian Passport Holders)

The South Korea business visa is for genuine short business visits, not for employment. The Korean Embassy assesses three things: the purpose of the trip must be a permitted business activity, the applicant must have a genuine business relationship with the Korean host, and the applicant must show they will return to India after the visit.

Who CAN apply:

• Salaried employees in IT, engineering, consulting, manufacturing, trading, pharma and other industries, sent by their Indian employer for meetings, negotiations, product demos or site visits
• Conference delegates and speakers attending Korean summits, conventions and trade fairs (COEX, KINTEX, BEXCO and similar venues)
• Company owners, directors and partners meeting Korean clients, partners, distributors or suppliers
• Self-employed professionals and consultants with Korean clients or contracts
• Importers and exporters attending Korean trade fairs and buyer-supplier meets
• Employees of Indian companies posted to a Korean branch, liaison office or subsidiary (D-7 route)
• Business visitors negotiating sales of goods or services, or preparing to establish an investment company in Korea (C-3-5 route under the Korea-India CEPA)

Who CANNOT apply:

• Job seekers — the C-3 visa does not permit entering the Korean labour market
• Applicants who intend to work for a Korean employer — that is the E-series work visa route, which is employer-sponsored
• Applicants whose trip is mainly study — the D-2/D-4 student visa is the correct category
• Anyone planning to actively manage or run a day-to-day Korean business operation — that is the D-8 investor route
• Travelers who plan to stay beyond the 90 days granted at entry

The C-3-4 visa covers "general commercial" activities — market research, business contacts, consultations, contract negotiations and small-scale trade activities. The line is drawn by where the money comes from: if a Korean company pays you for work performed in Korea, you are working — not visiting.

Source: Korea Immigration Service C-3 short-term visit rules and the Korea-India CEPA agreement (checked 29 August 2026).

Choose the right category first. Applying under the wrong one is a common cause of refusal.

Validity and stay are two different things. The visa's validity (usually 3 months for C-3 visas) is how long you may use it to enter Korea. The stay is what immigration grants at the border — normally up to 90 days per visit for C-3 visas. A multiple-entry visa does not mean you may live in Korea for months at a time; each visit is judged on its own.

C-3-4 — General Business Visa

The standard business visa for Indian professionals. It covers business meetings, contract negotiations, conferences, trade fairs, market research and short-term business training.

• Stay: Up to 90 days per visit
• Validity: 3 months from the date of issue
• Entries: Single, double or multiple (multiple-entry is issued based on travel history and the strength of the business relationship)
• Fee: ₹3,600 (single-entry, up to 90 days); ₹6,300 (double-entry); ₹8,100 (multiple-entry)

C-3-5 — Agreement Business Visa (Korea-India CEPA)

A separate code under the Korea-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). It is for Indian nationals employed by an Indian-registered legal entity who are entering Korea to negotiate the sale of goods or services, or to prepare the establishment of an investment company.

• Stay: Up to 90 days per visit
• Validity: 3 months (single or limited entry)
• Who qualifies: Employees of an Indian-registered company with a minimum service period, with proof of negotiations or investment preparation
• Documents: Indian company registration documents, employment certificate or travel order stating the period of employment, proof of negotiations (invitation letters, meeting agendas), and the Korean counterpart's invitation letter with business registration

If you are unsure whether C-3-4 or C-3-5 fits, apply for C-3-4 — it is the general category available to all nationalities and covers most business meetings.

D-7 — Intra-Company Transferee Visa

For employees of multinational companies being transferred to a Korean branch, liaison office or subsidiary. This is a long-stay visa, not a short business visit.

Three conditions must hold at the same time:

1. At least one year of employment at the overseas head office (or an affiliate/branch) immediately before the transfer
2. A qualifying corporate relationship — the Korean entity must be a branch, liaison office or subsidiary in which the head office holds an equity stake. An ordinary client relationship or business partnership does NOT qualify
3. An essential personnel role — the position must be managerial, executive or specialist. Roles that could simply be filled by hiring in Korea are excluded

Additional requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or higher, OR at least 5 years of relevant professional experience
• No criminal record (criminal background check, apostilled, issued within 3 months)
• The Korean entity must have completed its branch/liaison office establishment filing under the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act and hold a business registration
• Stay: Up to 3 years per issuance (in practice often shorter, depending on review); extensions can be filed from 4 months before expiry
• ARC: Alien Registration Card required within 90 days of arrival
• Fee: ₹5,400 (single-entry, over 90 days)

D-7 vs D-8: If you are putting capital into Korea and becoming the representative yourself, D-8 (Corporate Investment) is the right fit. If you stay on the head office payroll and take on management duties at a Korean branch or subsidiary, D-7 is correct.

The single most useful distinction in a Korea business visa file. The embassy checks that your occupation evidence matches your application. Employees prove it through their employer; owners and self-employed applicants through registration and financials.

Every document should carry the applicant's name exactly as on the passport. Mismatches between the application form, the covering letter, the invitation and the supporting documents are a fast route to delay or refusal.

The invitation letter from the Korean host company is the single most important document in a Korea business visa file. Unlike the US, Korea's C-3-4 checklist explicitly requires it, along with a copy of the inviting company's business license or certificate of incorporation.

What the letter should contain:

• Korean host company details: full name, address, contact, and business registration number
• Applicant details: full name and designation exactly as on the passport
• The visit: purpose, exact dates, the meetings or events planned, and who the applicant will meet
• The business relationship: how the Indian and Korean companies are connected (existing contracts, purchase orders, correspondence)
• Financial responsibility: who covers travel, accommodation and expenses
• Signatory name, designation and company contact details

Sample invitation letter:

[Korean Host Company Letterhead]

To: The Visa Section, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, New Delhi

Date: [DD Month YYYY]

Subject: Business Invitation for [Applicant Full Name]

We confirm that [Applicant Name], passport no. [XXXX], holding the position

of [Designation] at [Indian Company], is invited to the Republic of Korea from

[Start Date] to [End Date] for [purpose: client meetings at our office /

attendance at [Conference/Trade Fair Name] / a factory inspection / contract

negotiations].

During the visit, [Applicant Name] will meet [host contacts] at

[location: city, office] to [discuss / negotiate / review — specific outcome].

[Choose one:]

Our company will cover travel, accommodation and daily expenses.

The applicant's company will cover all expenses.

We confirm that no employment relationship will exist during this visit.

Signed: ______________________

Name: [Authorized Signatory]

Designation: [Position]

Company: [Full Name + Address + Business Registration Number]

Important: attach a copy of the Korean host company's business registration certificate (사업자등록증) with the invitation letter. For conference or trade fair trips, the event registration and agenda serve a similar purpose — attach both when you have them. The sample above follows standard practice confirmed by 2026 applicant reports; it is a sample only. Ask your host to write it in their own words so it reads naturally — officers flag letters that look templated.

For salaried applicants, the covering letter on the Indian company letterhead confirms employment, salary, approved leave and the business reason for travel.

Sample covering letter for employees:

[Indian Company Letterhead]

To: The Visa Section, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, New Delhi

Date: [DD Month YYYY]

Subject: Covering Letter for South Korea Business Visa — [Applicant Name]

This is to confirm that [Applicant Name], passport no. [XXXX], [Designation], employed with us

since [Date of Joining], is travelling to the Republic of Korea from [Start Date]

to [End Date] for [specific purpose: negotiations with our client in

[City] / attendance at [Conference Name] / a site inspection at [Company]].

[His / Her] monthly salary is INR [X]. Leave has been approved, and

[he / she] will resume duties on [Date].

We confirm financial responsibility for [all travel and stay costs /

accommodation only — as per the invitation].

We confirm that [Applicant Name] will return to India on completion of the

visit and that no employment with a Korean entity is contemplated.

Signed: ______________________

Name: [Authorized Signatory + Company Stamp]

Designation: [Position]

Self-employed applicants do not need this letter. Instead, prepare a business declaration stating the business name, registration details, the purpose of the Korean visit and the client relationship. Support it with GST or Udyam registration, client agreements, invoices and income proof.

Both templates are samples — align them with the exact details on your invitation letter, flight itinerary and hotel booking before submission.

Indian side:

Korean host side:

Table 1 — Official visa fees for Indian citizens, effective 1 August 2026, verified 29 August 2026 on the BLS International South Korea page and the Korea Visa Application Center (Chennai/Bangalore) fee notice of 30 July 2026:

Table 2 — Other official charges for Indian applicants:

Table 3 — Estimated total cost scenarios (standard processing, BLS):

Fee Confusion Resolution: why some websites show different fees

Many travel-agent pages and visa blogs still quote wrong figures for the South Korea business visa. Here is the verified picture, checked 29 August 2026:

• The ₹700 figure that appears on some agent pages (including older versions of this page) has no official basis in current or recent Korean visa fee schedules for Indian citizens.
• The ₹3,400 / ₹5,100 / ₹7,650 figures are the pre-August 2026 rates (in effect from June 2025). The Korean Embassy revised visa fees effective 1 August 2026 — the current rates are ₹3,600 / ₹5,400 / ₹6,300 / ₹8,100.
• The BLS service charge is ₹1,100, not ₹200. The "VAC service fee ₹200" figure on some pages is wrong.
• Express fees are optional — they reduce processing time but are not required.
• Some pages list a police clearance certificate as mandatory for C-3 visas — it is not required for short-stay C-3-4/C-3-5 applications. It IS required for D-7 (stays over 90 days).
• Some pages quote "5-10 working days" processing — the embassy's standard for C-3 visas is 10 working days. Plan around 10 working days, not 5.

Always confirm the fee on the official BLS International page or the Korea Visa Application Center notice before paying — visa fees are non-refundable even if the visa is refused.

Every step below is the current official process for Indian applicants, as published by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in India and the authorised application centres, checked 29 August 2026.

1. Confirm the visa code fits your trip. Your activities must sit inside the allowed list — meetings, negotiations, conferences, trade fairs, market research. Paid employment is the E-series route, study is the D-2/D-4 route, and long-term investment management is the D-8 route.
2. Get an invitation letter from your Korean host with their business registration certificate. Then collect the supporting documents from the checklist above — passport (6+ months beyond intended stay), covering letter, employment certificate or business registration, 2 years of ITR, 6 months of bank statements.
3. Complete the electronic visa application form on the Korea Visa Portal (korea-visa.go.kr). Fill every field to match your passport exactly. Print the completed form and confirmation.
4. Book an appointment at VFS Global (Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru) or BLS International (Mumbai, Hyderabad). Walk-ins are not accepted. Appointments are booked online through the centre's website.
5. Attend the appointment in person with your passport, the completed application form, one photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm, white background), and the full document file. Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are collected for applicants over 17 years.
6. Pay the fees — the consular fee (₹3,600 for single-entry C-3) plus the ₹1,100 BLS service charge at the time of submission. Payment is by cash or card at the centre.
7. Track your application through the VFS/BLS tracking portal using your receipt number.
8. Collect your passport in person or by courier. Verify the visa sticker: name, dates, validity and number of entries must match your application.

Important: apply at least 2-3 weeks before travel for C-3 visas (10 working days processing) and 8-12 weeks ahead for D-7 (CSR processing takes 2-4 weeks before the visa application). Do not book non-refundable flights until the visa is approved.

Where to Apply in India

South Korea visa applications are submitted in person at two authorised service providers: VFS Global (New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru) and BLS International (Mumbai, Hyderabad). The Korean Embassy is in New Delhi, with consulates in Chennai and Mumbai. See the South Korea visa guide for the full centre-wise jurisdiction table, and our embassy contacts page for complete details.

CSR Note: D-7 visas require a CSR from Korean Immigration (defined in the summary above). Your Korean sponsor applies for this at the local Korea Immigration Service office before you submit your visa application. CSR processing takes 2-4 weeks. The CSR is valid for 3 months from the date of issuance.

Tips for a Successful Application

• The invitation letter is everything. A specific, well-written invitation from the Korean host with their business registration certificate attached is the strongest document in your file. Vague invitations ("business visit") are a leading cause of refusal.
• Financial consistency matters. Provide 2 years of ITR and 6 months of bank statements with consistent salary credits. No large cash deposits just before applying — this is a red flag.
• Match every document. The application form, covering letter, invitation letter and supporting documents must show the same name, dates and purpose. Mismatches cause delays and refusals.
• Show the business relationship. Contracts, purchase orders, emails and meeting agendas between your company and the Korean host prove the relationship is genuine.
• Apply in advance. 10 working days is the standard — but appointments fill up, and express processing is not always available. Apply 2-3 weeks ahead for C-3 visas.
• First-time applicants: a shorter single-entry trip with a clear agenda is easier to approve than a long first visit. Build travel history gradually.

• Immigration check: Present your passport and visa at the airport. The immigration officer grants your stay period (up to 90 days for C-3 visas).
• ARC registration (D-7 only): If your stay exceeds 90 days, register at the local Korea Immigration Service office within 90 days of arrival to obtain your Alien Registration Card (ARC). This is typically handled by your employer for D-7 visa holders.
• Business etiquette: Business cards are exchanged with both hands, and punctuality is expected. English is common in business settings, but a Korean-speaking contact helps.
• Family: D-7 visa holders can bring their spouse and children on an F-3 dependent visa. See our South Korea dependent visa guide for details.

Official Resources

For the latest policy changes affecting business travel to Korea, check our visa news section.

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