South Korea Tourist Visa for Indians 2026: The Complete Application & Fees Guide

Yes. India is not on South Korea's visa-waiver list, so every Indian citizen needs a visa for mainland Korea. The C-3-9 is the category for tourism, sightseeing, and short visits to friends or family.

Jeju Island caveat: You can visit Jeju visa-free for up to 30 days only if you fly directly to Jeju International Airport. If your itinerary includes mainland Korea (Seoul, Busan, etc.) at any point, you need a full C-3-9 visa.

Any Indian citizen with a valid passport can apply for a C-3-9, regardless of age or profession. There is no minimum income or fixed bank balance to qualify. What the visa officer actually assesses is whether you are a genuine tourist who will return to India — so the strongest applications come from people who can show a stable income, a clear reason to come back (job, family, property, or study), and a realistic travel plan.

First-time travellers are approved every day, but the bar is higher for them: the officer has no travel history to reassure them you will leave. If this is your first international trip, keep it short (5-7 days), show strong ties to India, and be specific about where you are going and what you will do. A modest but consistent bank balance beats a large one-off deposit every time.

The Korean Embassy revised visa fees effective 1 August 2026. The consular fee is set by the Korean government; the service charge is added separately by the application centre. All fees are non-refundable, even if your visa is refused.

Service charge: ₹1,100 per application at BLS International. VFS Global charges vary by centre — check the VFS Global South Korea page for the current rate.

What most tourists pay: A single-entry C-3-9 visa for a trip of up to 90 days costs ₹3,600 + ₹1,100 = ₹4,700 in total. This is the visa most first-time visitors need.

Group discount: Groups of 5+ Indian travellers travelling through an approved travel agency can get the group tourist (C-3-2) visa fee waived. The Korean government has extended this waiver to 31 December 2026.

Core documents (everyone)

• Passport — valid for 6+ months beyond your stay, with 2 blank pages, issued in the last 10 years
• Visa application form — completed online at korea-visa.go.kr, printed and signed
• One passport photo — 3.5cm x 4.5cm, white background, taken in the last 6 months
• Cover letter — one page explaining who you are, why you are visiting, and your travel plans
• Round-trip flight booking — refundable or a hold; do not buy non-refundable tickets before approval
• Hotel bookings — for your entire stay
• Bank statements — last 6 months, original with bank stamp
• Income Tax Returns — last 2 assessment years
• Employment certificate — or a bonafide certificate if you are a student
• Aadhaar card — front and back copy

Financial proof — what actually matters

There is no single official minimum balance published for the C-3-9. In practice, visa officers look for a balance that is consistent and clearly yours — typically ₹1-2 lakh maintained steadily over the 3-6 months before you apply. What raises red flags:

• A large deposit appearing just before you apply
• A balance that jumps around with no pattern
• Bank statements that are not attested by the bank

Show regular salary credits and a stable balance, and you are on solid ground. If a family member is funding your trip, include their bank statements and a signed sponsorship letter.

If you have travel history vs. if you don't

• Already travelled abroad: Include copies of previous visas and entry/exit stamps. Travel to Thailand, UAE, Singapore, or Malaysia strengthens your application.
• New to international travel: Focus on proving ties to India — employment with leave approval, property, family, and a clear itinerary showing you will return. A shorter first trip (5-7 days) with a detailed plan is easier to approve.

Documents by applicant profile

The core list above applies to everyone, but your situation adds a few documents. Match your profile:

This is the section most tourist visa guides skip — but it is exactly what determines whether your file is approved or returned for more documents.

The application is done in person at an authorised centre — there is no fully online route for Indian citizens.

1. Complete the online form at korea-visa.go.kr, print it, and sign it.
2. Book an appointment at your nearest centre — VFS Global (Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru) or BLS International (Mumbai, Hyderabad). Apply at the centre for your home state's jurisdiction.
3. Attend the appointment with your documents and originals. You will provide biometrics (10 fingerprints and a digital photo) and pay the fee.
4. Track your application using the reference number on the visa portal.
5. Download your Visa Grant Notice. Korea no longer issues physical visa stickers in passports. Once approved, your visa is recorded electronically — download and print your Visa Grant Notice from korea-visa.go.kr and carry it with your passport when you fly. Check that your name and dates are correct before travelling.

Visa validity: Your C-3-9 is typically valid for 3 months from the date of issue — you must enter Korea within that window. Once you enter, you can stay up to 90 days per entry (for a single-entry visa, that is one stay; a double or multiple-entry visa lets you leave and return within the validity period).

When to apply: Start at least 3-4 weeks before your travel date. During peak seasons (April-June and October-December), apply 4-5 weeks ahead — these are the busiest periods for Indian travellers to Korea.

For the full centre-wise jurisdiction table and a detailed walkthrough of each step, see our main South Korea visa guide

The 10-working-day clock starts when your application reaches the consulate — transit time to and from the centre is not included. If you need your visa quickly, express processing cuts this to about 3 working days for an additional fee.

Since 1 January 2026, every foreign visitor must complete the e-Arrival Card online before arriving in Korea. This free declaration replaced the paper landing card and is separate from your visa — it does not replace it.

• When: Within 72 hours before your arrival (do not wait until you land)
• Where: e-arrivalcard.go.kr
• Cost: Free
• What you need: Passport details, flight information, and your Korean address (hotel or host)

1. Weak or inconsistent proof of funds — a sudden large deposit, or a balance that does not match your income.
2. Unclear travel purpose — "sightseeing" is not enough. List specific places: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Myeongdong, N Seoul Tower, Busan's Gamcheon Village.
3. Missing ties to India — the officer needs to be confident you will return. Include employment, property, family, or ongoing study.
4. Incomplete or unsigned application form — a missing signature or mismatched travel dates is the fastest way to get delayed or rejected.
5. Wrong centre or jurisdiction — apply at the centre for your home state. Applying at the wrong one means rejection.
6. Non-refundable flights booked before approval — if your visa is refused, you lose that money.

The single most useful document: a clear cover letter listing your planned activities, accommodation, and a statement that you will return to India. It can make the difference between approval and rejection.

You now have everything you need to apply — the fee, the documents, the process, and the timeline. If you would rather have an expert handle the paperwork, check your documents, and manage the submission for you, BTWVisas can take it from here.

Apply for a South Korea Tourist Visa > | Call Us: 020-49027000 | Email: inquiry@btwvisas.com

Official Resources

• Korean Embassy in India (New Delhi): https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/in-en/index.do
• Korea Visa Portal (application form + Visa Grant Notice): https://www.korea-visa.go.kr
• e-Arrival Card: https://e-arrivalcard.go.kr
• VFS Global South Korea: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/kor/
• BLS International South Korea: https://kor.blsinternational.com
• HiKorea (Immigration Services): https://www.hikorea.go.kr

Not here for tourism? If your trip is for business meetings or a trade fair, you need a South Korea business visa instead. If you are joining a spouse or family member already living in Korea, see the South Korea dependent visa guide.