Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York

Consular/Visa Service

Visa Information

Consular/Visa Service
Visa Information

General Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to apply for a visa even if I have a U.S. Green Card?

→ A: U.S. Green Card does not stand for the change of your nationality. If you are not eligible for K-ETA or your travel plans are not suitable for B2 (Tourists in Transit) program, you must apply for a visa.

Q: Check if my travel plans correspond to the B2 (Tourists in Transit) program.

→ A: We do not offer personal travel consultations. Please read [B2 program] thoroughly and contact the Korean Immigration Office (+82-2-2100-1345) if you have further inquiries. Unfortunately, we do not have their email address.

Q: The photo I submitted for the visa application does not appear when I download/print my Visa Grant Notice.

→ A: This sometimes happens, but it does not affect the validity of your visa at all as long as you bring your passport with the notice.

Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

o Those who have a certain citizenship including U.S. citizens can visit the Republic of Korea without a visa for a duration of up to 90 days if the purpose of the trip is for tourism, business meetings, attendance at a conference, or visiting families or relatives. (Extension of stay is not permitted)
o Those who are qualified for this program must get an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before entering to Republic of Korea.
o Visit K-ETA website to check if you are qualified for this program.
Additional information: Temporary exemption of K-ETA (~ December 31, 2024): [Details]

Tourists in Transit (B2 Program)

o Tourists with a certain citizenship (e.g. China, Mongol, Vietnam, Philippine, India, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Armenia, etc.) in transit to another countries via Korea, can visit Korea without a visa for up to 30 days. This rule does not apply to the nationals of 24 countries (e.g. Syria, Sudan, Iran, Cuba, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Ghana, etc.) or those who have violated Korean immigration law. o Eligible Applicants:

Those who hold a visa or Permanent residency of the U.S. and have a flight ticket that is scheduled to depart from Korea within 30 days;
Those who go to U.S in transit via Korea;
Those who stay in the U.S. and take a flight from the U.S. to Korea to go to a country of nationality or a third country.

o Details: B2 Tourists in Transit [link]

None of the above

o For those who are not eligible for the K-ETA or whose travel plans not suitable for the B2 (Tourists in Transit) Program, they need to apply for a visa to visit Korea. Visit [Korea Visa Portal] to look up an appropriate visa pursuant to the applicant's nationality and the purpose of the visit.

Process

1) Apply for your visa

1. Visit by Online Appointment Only

Appointments are available through the website: https://www.g4k.go.kr/en/main.do
How to make an appointment: [Link]
Open hours: Monday through Friday 9 A.M – 4 P.M
Payment method: Credit card, cash, or money order

2. Via-Mail (Visa Issuance Confirmation Holder and Applicants for C-3 (Business/Conference), C-4, D-2 or D-4, E-2 visa ONLY)

* Tourism Visa (C-3-9) is not accepted via mail [APPOINTMENT REQUIRED]

Mailing address: Korean Consulate General 460 Park Ave. 6th floor, New York, NY 10022 (Attention: Visa officer)

The consulate is not responsible for any items delayed or lost in the mail
Applicants living in our jurisdiction (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut) ONLY
For those who live in Pennsylvania and Delaware, please contact Korean Consulate in Philadelphia: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-philly-en/index.do
Mail-in application: We accept a notarized (within our jurisdiction) copy of your passport, and cash (or money order) ONLY. DO NOT SEND YOUR ORIGINAL PASSPORT.
It usually takes 14 calendar days to process a visa after we receive and register your application. It might take more time depending on your application type.
We do not provide expedited services. Plan accordingly for your travel plans and submit your visa application considering the aforementioned visa processing time.
Ensure that you have correctly completed all the required information before submission.
Any inconsistencies or false information within the submitted documents may result in visa denial.

2) Print your Visa (Visa Grant Notice) at home

Visa will be electronically issued Only due to label-free visa policy (effective as of 02/24/2020)

o Check the status of your visa application online https://www.visa.go.kr/, not in service on your phone.

Go to ‘Check Application Status’ menu and click ‘Check Application Status & Print’
For the type of Application, select ‘Diplomatic Office’
Fill out Passport No., Name (Last name, first name, middle name), Date of birth and click the ‘Search’ button.
If a visa application is approved, the ‘Certification’ button will be activated.
Print out the ‘VISA GRANT NOTICE’

All foreigners are required to present this document to immigration officers during immigration clearance.
The document is valid either printed in color or black and white.

General Required Documents

o Depending on your visa application, you may be asked to submit additional documents or be requested for an interview.

o Do not send your original passport when you apply for a visa via mail (Please submit a notarized copy of your passport only). Due to the label-free visa policy (effective as of 02/24/2020), we no longer affix visa labels to applicants' passport.

o China, Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Mongol, Thailand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Peru, Iran, Syria, Sudan: Nationals of these Countries should submit documents of long term residence (regarding at least last 2 years) in the U.S.

- As for the application via mail, documents of long-term residence (permanent resident card, long-term visa, etc.) must be notarized within our jurisdiction.

Click and download application forms

1) Most Common Visas


Visa Type		Requirements
A-3-99 Fulbright		Click [Here] for more details.
C-3 Short-term Visit	Ordinary Tourist (C-3-9)	Click [Here] for more details.
	Visiting family or relatives	Visa Application Form Passport (more than 6 months valid) & copy U.S permanent resident card (or valid long-term U.S visa) & copy (if not U.S. Citizens) Photo (on photo paper, natural color, 2x2 inches, taken within 6 months) Hotel reservation information document Flight itineraries Recent 1 month bank Statement (Ending balance over $3,000) Fee: [Click] Fees vary depending on nationality
	Business meeting or attendance at a conference	Visa Application Form Passport (more than 6 months valid) & copy U.S permanent resident card (or valid long-term U.S visa) & copy (if not U.S. Citizens) Photo (on photo paper, natural color, 2x2 inches, taken within 6 months) Letter from Current U.S company Invitation letter of Korean partner company Flight itineraries A copy of the certificate of business registration of the Korean organization (사업자등록증) Recent 1-month bank statement (if your travel expense is not covered by your company) Fee: [Click] Fees vary depending on nationality
C-4 Temporary Employment Advertisement/fashion model visa applicant is required additional documents		Visa Application Form Passport (more than 6 months valid) & copy U.S permanent resident card (or valid long-term U.S. visa) & copy (if not U.S. Citizens) Photo (on photo paper, natural color, 2x2 inches, taken within 6 months) Employment Contract (Original with employee’s signature) Invitation letter from Korean company A copy of the certificate of business registration of the Korean organization (사업자등록증) Fee: [Click] Fees vary depending on nationality
D-2 Study Abroad		Visa Application Form Passport (more than 6 months valid) & copy U.S permanent resident card (or valid long-term U.S visa) & copy (if not U.S. Citizens) Photo (on photo paper, natural color, 2x2 inches, taken within 6 months) Original certificate of admission (Original with student’s signature) a copy of certificate of business registration from Korean School Fee: [Click] Fees vary depending on nationality
D-4 General Training (Korean Language Course)		Visa Application Form Passport (more than 6 months valid) & copy U.S permanent resident card (or valid long-term U.S visa) & copy (if not U.S. Citizens) Photo (on photo paper, natural color, 2x2 inches, taken within 6 months) Original certificate of admission (Original with student’s signature) A copy of certificate of business registration from Korean School Fee: [Click] Fees vary depending on nationality
E-2 (For those in possession of visa issuance confirmation)		Visa Application Form (For those in possession of visa issuance confirmation) [Download] Photo (on photo paper, natural color, 2x2 inches, taken within 6 months) Passport (more than 6 months valid) & copy Fee: $45 for U.S. Citizens
E-2 EPIK		Visa Application Form Passport (more than 6 months valid) & copy Photo (on photo paper, natural color, 2x2 inches, taken within 6 months) Employment Contract (Original with employee’s signature on all pages) Letter of Appointment Fee: $45 for U.S. Citizens
E-2 TaLK		Visa Application Form Passport (more than 6 months valid) & copy Photo (on photo paper, natural color, 2x2 inches, taken within 6 months) Employment Contract (Original with employee’s signature on all pages) Letter of Appointment Fee: $45 for U.S. Citizens

2) Others


Visa	Requirements
A-1 Diplomat	Click [Here] for more details.
A-2 Foreign Government Official	Click [Here] for more details.
A-3 International Agreement - SoFA (Standard of Forces Agreement)	Click [Here] for more details.
H-1 WEST program (Working Holiday)	Click [Here] for more details.
* Pilot Program (F-1-D) Workation(Digital Nomad)	Click [Here] for more details.

Additional Required Documents

*For those who were Korean national OR those who have/had Korean national parent(s).

1. For those who were born in a foreign country (e.g. U.S.A, Canada, etc.) under parent(s) held Korean nationality when they were born.

- Copy of U.S. Birth Certificate

- Basic Certificate (기본증명서, Renunciation of Nationality (국적이탈) is required)

*Must bring all your original documents in person to renounce Korean nationality (국적이탈) (if applicable)

- Required Documents from parents :

1) Copies of valid U.S Passports

2) Copies of U.S. Naturalization Certificates

3) Copies of Petitions for Name Change (if applicable)

2. For those who naturalized into other countries (e.g. U.S.A, Canada, etc.)

- Basic Certificate (기본증명서, Loss of Nationality (국적상실) is required)

*Must bring all your original documents in person to lose Korean nationality (국적상실) (if applicable)

- Copy of U.S Naturalization Certificates

- Copy of Petitions for Name Change (if applicable)

3. For those who naturalized with their parent(s) when they were under 18

- Basic Certificate (기본증명서, Loss of Nationality (국적상실) is required)

*Must bring all your original documents in person to lose Korean nationality (국적상실) (if applicable)

- Family Relation Certificate (가족관계증명서)

- Required Documents from parents:

1) Copies of valid U.S Passports

2) Copies of U.S. Naturalization Certificates

3) Copies of Petitions for Name Change (if applicable)

4. For those who were adopted from Korea

1) Certificate of Citizenship

2) Petition for Name Change

3) Korean birth certificate (제적등본, Loss of Nationality (국적상실) is required)

*Must bring all your original documents in person to lose Korean nationality (국적상실) (if applicable)

4) Additional adoption papers (including U.S birth certificate)