South Korea will resume issuing tourist visas from June 1

As for the issuance of foreign visas, many countries now have no restrictions and do not require any inspection upon entry. And I always thought that Japan opened its tourist entrance earlier, but I didn’t expect that South Korea would be faster than Japan! Tourist visas will be issued again from June 1st! Let’s take a look!

According to the Financial Associated Press, South Korea will resume issuance of short-term visit (C-3 visa and electronic visa) from June 1. South Korea’s C-3 visa is for people who come to South Korea for market research and consultation, Short-term visit visas within 90 days for foreigners who travel, recuperate, visit relatives, attend conferences and other business activities.

Relevant Korean authorities have stated that they will relax visa issuance restrictions in order to stimulate domestic demand and promote related issues by attracting foreign tourists. The industry is recovering.

According to the editor’s understanding, you can apply for a business visa in South Korea before, but tourist visas are not issued. If you meet the entry requirements of South Korea, you can apply for a visa exemption.

So this news said that tourist visas will be issued, which means that you can also go to South Korea for tourism purposes, which makes people more concerned.

I have consulted the editor before about going to North Korea. In addition to business, there are also purchasing staff, and it seems that there is finally hope to reunite with my boyfriend/girlfriend.

However, the reporter checked the official website of the Korean Embassy in China. There is no official news yet. Therefore, whether tourist visas will be opened in the future depends on official news. Korean media reported that this policy will be restarted for ordinary citizens (level 1) from next month, so the editor is not sure whether China is in the process. Within the scope.

As can be seen from the document "Visa Types and Required Materials" on the official website of the Korean Embassy in China, South Korea's C-3 visa includes the following:

General visits (C-3-1: including participation in friendly matches, various activities or meetings; general training; family visits, etc. Spouses and children of Korean citizens; descendants of Korean citizens; language training; foreign investors;

Individual tourism (C-3-9: including group tours; individual tourism;

Medical tourism (C-3-3: Invited by a foreign patient reception organization registered with the Ministry of Health and Welfare of South Korea, planning to enter the country Persons undergoing treatment or recuperation in Korean medical institutions; caregivers or accompanying persons of foreign patients (spouse, immediate family members or caregivers of foreign patients;

Short-term business (C-3-4: General applicants ( Short-term visitors to South Korea for market research, business contacts, negotiations, signing contracts, small-scale trade and other similar purposes;

Pure transfer (C-3-10: holders of ordinary passports from Syria, Sudan, Yemen, and Egypt) When someone is traveling to a third country via South Korea;

Crew change (C-3-11: Foreign crew members of a flight or ship that enters South Korea as a passenger for the purpose of berthing or planning to berth in South Korea work;

In addition, South Korea has also opened five visa application centers in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Chengdu, and Wuhan. Applicants can apply for a Korean visa through agencies designated by the embassy and consulates, and then submit it to the Korean embassy. The consulate or visa center can also apply for it by the applicant himself or his companions;

In addition, South Korea also has an electronic visa called the "Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA)". Currently, this electronic visa does not Applicable to Chinese citizens. It is aimed at people from countries and regions that have signed a visa-free agreement with South Korea and the Korean government allows visa-free entry. Starting from April 1, 2022, the applicable countries/regions for South Korea’s e-visa will be expanded from the original 50 to 96 countries/regions (an increase of 46, as follows:

Therefore, citizens of the above countries/regions You can apply for a K-ETA visa to go to South Korea.

Source: Finance Association