South Korea Business Visa - Definitive Guide

At the time of doing business in foreign, there are certain procedures that you need to follow. In the case of South Korea, to be able to enter the country for carrying out any of the business activities, you will have to acquire a South Korea business visa. There are several benefits to this permit. With this visa, you can visit the country to attend business meetings, exhibitions and conferences, business meetings for a branch of your own company or a sister company, or attend client meetings and other business errands. There are different types of visa as well. These are classified based on the nature of business. The validity will change as per the type of visa too.

These visa types may also fall under the category of a work visa for South Korea. They are listed as follows:

• D8 - It is issued for carrying out any kind of foreign investment in South Korea. This visa generally permits multiple entries and the validity could vary.
• D9 - This kind of visa is provided to individuals who are looking for any kind of trade management in South Korea. The visa is multiple-entry and permits a stay of 30 days per visit.

The process for the application of South Korea business visa is mainly offline. However, you first need to check if you match the eligibility criteria. These are the parameters that tell you what are the requirements for getting this particular kind of visa. To get the visa, you can apply to the visa application centre. The procedure is given as follows:

1. Download the South Korea business visa application form from the official website of the visa application centre.
2. Fill out all the required information on the form and go through the checklist provided.
3. Fulfil all the requirements that are asked by the authorities.
4. Attach all the supporting documents along with the photographs as per the specifications.
5. Submit the application form to your nearest branch of the visa application centre.
6. Pay the fee at the time of submission.
7. Collect your passport after the processing of the visa.

When you are filling out the form, you must make sure that you fill out all the correct information. The information provided must match the details on the passport and other documents. If in case, any issues are found with the application, there are chances that your visa may get refused. A visa refusal can affect applications for your further visa for South Korea or any other country. To avoid the same, it is safe to acquire a professional visa consultation.

In order to be able to apply for the South Korea business visa, you need to meet the criteria first. It must be made sure that this is the right type of visa for you and you have all the requirements for the same:

• You must have proof of business ownership and purpose of visit

• You must have proper proof of your business enterprise to show it to the authorities.
• If you have been invited to a business conference or to attend a business or client meeting, an invitation letter from the company must be provided to the embassy.
• You must meet the health requirements

• • • You must be healthy enough to travel to South Korea.
    • You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
  • You must meet the character requirements
    • You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind doing business in South Korea.
    • You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
• You must have sufficient funds
  • • You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in South Korea.
    • Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

There are specific documents required as per the type of the visa. They may even vary from applicant to applicant depending on their visa history and the type of passport. The common South Korea business visa requirements for Indian citizens are listed as follows:

• Original passport with validity at least 6 months ahead of the date of travel
• Completely filled visa application form
• Two photos as per the photo specifications
• Cover letter from the invitee company
• Proof of identification and nationality
• PAN card
• Adhaar card
• Proof of confirmed travel dates 
• Confirmation slip 
• Air tickets
• Proof of sufficient funds to support your stay in South Korea
• Travel requisition by employer
• Letter of mission
• Certificate of income or tax payment issued by a public agency
• Certificate of deposit balance
• Proof of accommodation
• Invitation letter
• Hotel reservation

• Two copies must be provided
• Photo size: 35mm x 45 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 70-80% of the frame - 32mm x 36mm.
• Head should well-centred.
• A gap of 2mm to 6mm must be kept between the top of the head and the frame.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The processing time required for the issuance of the business visa is about 2 to 5 days. The time span will still vary depending on certain factors like the workload at the embassy office, the staff availability, whether the documents are complete or the rest of the documents are yet to be submitted and others. The time increases and decreases affected by these parameters.

The fee for Indian applicants to get a visa for South Korea is estimated based on several parameters and it will vary as per the type of visa too. It is to be paid to the visa application centres along with the service charges. Also, you must pay the fee only in cash, else if you do not have access to a visa application centre branch, you can send in the fee with a demand draft.

After you have submitted the South Korea business visa application form along with your passport and other documents, 

• You then have to wait for the processing before you can collect your passport. 
• You can choose any feasible branch of the visa application centre as per your reach. 
• Meet the checklist that is provided by the centre in order to get the visa sooner. 
• If the documents are missing, it will only take time for the processing and verification of the same.
• If there are any other requirements to be fulfilled or if there are any mistakes in the application, the embassy or the agency must be informed.
• If there are any changes related to the application, for instance, change in marital status or birth of a child, you must inform the embassy/agency.
• You can even check the status of the application and the processing in the meantime. 
• If there is a change of plans, you can withdraw the application.
• The visa fee is generally not refundable.

To check the status of your business visa, you can visit the official website of the visa application centre. You will need to enter your reference number and your date of birth to check the processing of the visa. 

When the application has been submitted, the visa application centre will process the documents and provide you with the visa stamp. However, once you have the visa there are certain things that you need to keep in mind. Some of the pointers are listed below:

• Before you travel

• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• You should travel to South Korea within the validity of your visa.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border

• Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
• Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter South Korea

• Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
• The business visa does not permit you to employ the residents or reside in the country.
• It is a permit that allows you to only perform business and business-related operations in the country. You are still permitted tourism.
• The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
• Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for the visa extension in time.