South Korea Passport & Visa Requirements
Who requires a visa?
Required by all except the following:
(a) 1. nationals of EU countries for touristic and business purposes for stays of up to 3 months (except nationals of Italy for stays of up to 2 months);
(b) nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Brazil, Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Dominica (Commonwealth of), Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Grenada, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Romania, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Surinam, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago and Turkey for touristic and business purposes for stays of up to 3 months;
(c) nationals of Lesotho for touristic and business purposes for stays of up to 2 months;
(d) nationals of Tunisia for touristic and business purposes for stays of up to 1 month;
(e) 2. nationals of most countries, travelling for short-term touristic or transit purposes, are allowed to enter visa-free for a maximum duration of 30 days, provided holding confirmed onward or return tickets and proof of sufficient funds. This regulation applies to: Albania, Argentina, Australia (90 days), Brunei, Canada (6 months), Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (90 days), Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Macau, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, New Caledonia, Oman, Palau, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Slovenia, South Africa, Swaziland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, USA, Vatican City, Venezuala and Yemen.
What documents will be required?
Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months required by all.
Time required to issue visa:
5 working days
How do I apply?
Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section for details.
Application requirements: These may vary according to visa required and nationality of applicant. (a) Passport valid for at least 6 months. (b) Completed application form. (c) One recent passport-size colour photo. (d) Fee, payable by cash or postal order (but not cheque). (e) Stamped, self-addressed envelope, if applicable. (f) Proof of sufficient funds (a bank statement for £1000 if not working in the UK and a company letter if working in the UK). Short-term business: (a)-(f) and, (g) Substantiating documents for the activity of the applicant, eg letter of invitation from the host company in the Republic of Korea, business-related documents etc. Short-term employment: (a)-(f) and, (g) Caree Document. (h) Employment contract. (i) A recommendation, official letter or other documents which prove the necessity of employment by the appropriate Minister of Department. Student: (a)-(f) and, (g) Standard admission letter for students, substantiating the educational ability and coverage of the expense of the applicant, issued by the president or a dean of the University. (h) Substantiating documents for researchers, including a reference, if applicable.
South Korea Climate and Weather
The climate in Korea is temperate with four very distinct seasons. Summers are very hot and humid, while in winter temperatures plummet to below freezing. Autumn and spring are the most comfortable seasons to visit South Korea. Most of the rain falls in summer during a monsoon season known as 'jangma'.
Seoul / Jan / Feb / Mar / Apr / May / Jun / Jul / Aug / Sep / Oct / Nov / DecRainfall (mm) / 17 / 21 / 56 / 68 / 86 / 169 / 358 / 224 / 142 / 49 / 36 / 32
Rainfall (inches) / 0.6 / 0.8 / 2 / 3 / 3 / 6.5 / 14 / 9 / 5.5 / 2 / 1.5 / 1
Min Temp (°C) / -9 / -7 / -2 / 5 / 10 / 16 / 21 / 22 / 15 / 7 / 0 / -7
Max Temp (°C) / 0 / 3 / 8 / 16 / 22 / 27 / 29 / 31 / 26 / 19 / 10 / 3
Min Temp (°F) / 16 / 19 / 28 / 41 / 50 / 61 / 70 / 71 / 59 / 44 / 32 / 19
Max Temp (°F) / 32 / 37 / 46 / 61 / 71 / 80 / 84 / 88 / 79 / 66 / 50 / 37
South Korea Currency
Money: Korea's monetary unit is the won (KRW). Currency can be exchanged at most banks, and travellers cheques cashed at authorised banks and hotels. Most merchants in the cities accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards, but Koreans traditionally prefer cash. ATMs at banks are usually accessible only during banking hours, and instructions on the machines are generally only in Korean. Public ATMs at convenience stores and subway stations are generally available 24 hours. US Dollars are an accepted form of foreign currency.
KRW 100.00 = / US$ 0.10 / £ 0.05 / C$ 0.11 / A$ 0.13 / R 0.72 / € 0.08 / NZ$ 0.14
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
South Korea Airports
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Location: The airport is located 30 miles (50km) from central Seoul at Incheon.
Time: GMT +9.
Contacts: Tel: +82 (0)2 1577 2600.
Transfer between terminals: The two terminals are connected by moving walkways. Transfer to the city: An express railway connection is in the final stages of completion and currently operates as far as Gimpo Airport (which handles domestic flights). It will reach Seoul central by 2008. Meanwhile visitors can transfer to the city along the Airport Expressway by bus or a variety of taxis, from the airport Transportation Centre. The journey takes about an hour. There is also a ferry service from Incheon port to Yeongjong-do.
Car rental: Avis, Hertz and Kumho Rent-A-Car operate car rentals from desks at the airport arrivals.
Facilities: The well-equipped airport has bureaux de change and banks, a large variety of restaurants and other eateries, numerous duty-free shops and a basement supermarket. There is a mobile phone rental outlet and Internet kiosks, pharmacies, saunas, hair salons, a post office and luggage storage facilities.
Parking: Short- and long-term parking, as well as valet parking, is available. Parking lots are accessed via the Transportation Centre outside the terminal buildings and are serviced by shuttle buses.
Departure tax: None.
Website: www.airport.or.kr
South Korea Basics
Time: GMT +9.
Electricity: Electrical current is 110 or 220 volts AC, 60Hz. Most hotels operate on 220 volts.
Language: The official language is Korean.
Health: There are no required vaccinations for entry to Korea and standards of medical care are high. Payment for treatment is usually expected in advance. Medical insurance with provision for repatriation is also recommended. Hepatitis A and typhoid inoculations are recommended, and there is a small risk of malaria is some areas. Outbreaks of bird flu have been confirmed throughout the country, but no human infections have been reported. The risk to travellers is low, but as a precaution visitors should ensure that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked, and contact with live birds is avoided. Tap water is chlorinated but may cause stomach upsets, therefore it is preferable to drink bottled water. Food should be well cooked and milk boiled.
Tipping: Tipping is not customary in Korea. Sometimes, expensive restaurants and luxury hotels may add a service charge of 10%. Taxi drivers are usually tipped if they assist with baggage.
Safety: Most visits to South Korea are trouble-free. The crime rate against foreigners is low, but it is still advisable to use sensible precautions particularly in safeguarding passports, money and credit cards in crowded areas. There has been an increased number of rapes reported in the nightlife areas of Seoul, as well as in private homes and travellers should be cautious, particularly at night, travelling only in legitimate taxis or public transport. The political situation is generally stable but since the Korean peninsula was divided by a demilitarised zone in 1953, tensions have risen and fallen on occasion. It is wise to be informed about current conditions. You should carry some form of identification at all times and ensure your next-of-kin details have been entered into the back of your passport.
Customs: English is not widely spoken or understood, so if you plan to use taxis or other local services it is wise to have instructions written down in Korean. It is advisable to carry some form of identification at all times. Social harmony is crucial, and public anger or criticism that causes an individual to 'lose face' or dignity is a serious breach of etiquette. Koreans will go out of their way, even lie, to maintain a comfortable situation.
Business: The increase in trade with Western countries has meant that Koreans do not expect visitors to understand all the nuances of their culture, however they are appreciated. Koreans dress conservatively and formally and it is important to do the same. Koreans like to do business with people whom they know and often introductions via a third known party are necessary. Greetings often consist of a bow, followed by a handshake. Introductions are very important and ascertain the hierarchy, often according to age, which is to be observed and respected. Often the most important person will be introduced first. Greeting in Korean, 'an-yang-ha-say-yo' (hello), and 'gam-sa-ham-ni-da' (thank you), is a good way to earn respect. Business card etiquette is vital; they should be given and received with both hands, with the details translated from English into Korean or Chinese on the alternate side, and must be treated with the utmost respect. Each one is to be read carefully and the name acknowledged. It is important, when issuing cards, not to stack them or keep them in one's wallet or purse. Koreans are referred to by their surnames and it is best to ask in advance how to address the person. The giving of gifts is appreciated and often reciprocated. Business hours are generally 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
Communications: The International dialling code for South Korea is +82, and the outgoing code is 001 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00144 for the UK). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)2 for Seoul. Telecommunications are well developed and call boxes using both cash and cards are prevalent. Internet cafes are widely available. Although mobile telephones are widely used by locals, there is no GSM network and foreign phones will not usually work in the country. Local mobile phones may be rented.
Duty Free: Travellers (over the age of 19) arriving in South Korea may bring in the following items free of customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco products; 57g perfume; 1 litre of alcohol (only those over 20 years old); and gifts valued at not more than 400,000 won. Products from communist countries are prohibited, as are fruit, seeds and any published or recorded material deemed to be subversive or obscene.