Latest guide to applying for a South Korean tourist visa: Procedures and detailed documents.

1. How many types of Korean tourist visas are there?

Korean tourist visa is a short-term visa with the symbol C-3, issued to foreigners coming to Korea for the purpose of tourism, visiting relatives, or short-term business. Based on the number of entries, Korean visas are currently divided into 2 types:

Single-entry visa: Valid for 3 months, maximum stay of 30 days per entry.
Multiple-entry visa: Valid from 1 to 5 years, each entry allows a maximum stay of 30 days.

The profile plays an extremely important role and is the basis for deciding whether the Embassy should grant you a Korean visa or not. (Photo: Collected)

Special offer this year:
The Korean government is significantly loosening the conditions for applying for multiple-entry visas for Vietnamese people with good travel history or who have been to developed countries such as Japan, the US, Europe, Australia... This is a great opportunity to apply for a long-term visa with simpler and faster procedures than before.

2. New changes in Korean tourist visa application procedures this year

The C-3-9 visa (tourist/vacation visa) is currently valid for 3 months and allows only one entry, with a maximum stay of 15 days.
Notable changes:

No original savings book or proof of assets required as before.
Just the last 3 months bank statement is enough to prove financial ability.
Personal documents in Vietnamese (household registration, birth certificate, CCCD...) do not need notarized translation, helping to save costs and time.
In particular, the list of authorized travel companies for fast-track applications continues to be expanded, helping to shorten the review time to only 7-10 working days if submitted through a designated company.

Preparing a complete and accurate Korean visa application is essential and should be your priority. (Photo: Collected)

3. What documents are required for a Korean tourist visa application?

Documents need to be prepared carefully and completely to increase the chance of getting a visa. Below is a list of necessary documents:
Personal documents:

Original passport (valid for at least 6 months)
01 ID photo 3.5 x 4.5 cm (white background, no smiling, taken within the last 6 months)
Korean visa application form (fill out online or handwritten)
ID card, household registration book, birth certificate (if accompanied by children)

Financial documents :

Bank statement of the last 3 months with confirmation from the bank
Savings book (if available, helps increase persuasiveness)

Work papers:

Employees: Labor contract, leave application, salary statement, social insurance.
Business owners/household businesses: Business license, VAT invoice, tax declaration.
Retirement: Retirement card/retirement decision + pension statement.
Students: Certificate of enrollment + student card.
Self-employed: Bank statements showing income, property ownership documents (if any).

Travel documents:

Round-trip airfare
Detailed schedule
Hotel reservation or invitation letter from relatives (if any)
International travel insurance (not required but recommended)

4. Important notes when applying for a Korean visa

Standard ID photo: 3.5 x 4.5 cm, white background, no glasses, no teeth showing. Face takes up 80% of the frame, do not cover ears or eyebrows.
For children under 18 years old not traveling with parents: 02 original copies of authorization letter certified by local authorities. Attached are ID card and work records of parents.
In case of having a household registration from the Central region to the North but working in the South: Need form CT08 confirming residence for 1 year or more.

5. Where to apply for a Korean visa? How long does it take to get results?

Currently, Korean visa applications must be submitted through the KVAC Application Center, not directly at the embassy or consulate.
Application submission location:

KVAC Hanoi : 12th Floor, Discovery Complex – 302 Cau Giay
KVAC Da Nang: Lot A1-2, Chuong Duong Street, Ngu Hanh Son Ward
KVAC HCMC: 253 Dien Bien Phu, Xuan Hoa Ward

Review time:

Self-submission: about 16 working days
Through the registration company: about 9 working days
Through the designated company: approximately 7 working days (excluding translation)

Recommendation: It is recommended to make an appointment and submit your application at least 4 weeks before your expected departure date to avoid any problems.

6. Latest Korean tourist visa application fee

Single-entry visa type: 20 USD - KVAC service fee: 390,000 VND
Multiple-entry visa type: 80 USD - KVAC service fee: 390,000 VND
Fees are paid in cash. If you use a travel agency’s services, the support fee ranges from 1-2 million VND depending on the service package.

7. Experience in applying for a Korean visa easily

Vietnamese tourists travel to Korea with Vietravel. (Photo: Vietravel)

Absolute honesty in declaring documents.
Prepare logical, complete documents and match information between documents.
Travel history is key: Having visited developed countries increases the chances of getting a multiple entry visa.
If you have been refused a visa: wait at least 6 months and reapply with a more carefully prepared application.

Applying for a Korean tourist visa this year has become easier thanks to flexible policies and simplified documents. However, to ensure a high success rate, you need to proactively prepare complete, honest, clear documents that are appropriate to your personal situation.

Whether you travel independently or on a package tour to Korea , as long as you master the process and pay close attention to important points, the door to the land of kimchi will be wider than ever!

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/huong-dan-xin-visa-du-lich-han-quoc-moi-nhat-v18101.aspx