Korea Visa from China
- For mainland travel, individual tourists need a C-3 tourist visa — apply at a Korean consulate/KVAC for your area.
- Fill the form at visa.go.kr (the only official portal), print and sign it.
- Bring passport, 3.5×4.5 photo, household registration, 3–6 month bank statement and job proof.
- Going only to Jeju? You can enter visa-free for up to 30 days with direct flights.
Yes — Chinese passport holders need a visa for mainland Korea.
Individual tourists apply for the C-3 tourist visa at a Korean consulate or Korea Visa Application Center. Two big exceptions can let you skip it: Jeju Island, and (at times) approved group tours.
Chinese citizens can visit Jeju without a visa for up to 30 days, on the condition of direct flights to/from Jeju and no transit through mainland Korea.
A trial let approved tour groups of 3+ enter visa-free for up to 15 days, running Sep 2025–Jun 2026, with the group-visa processing fee waived over the same period. Check whether it has been extended before relying on it.
- Visa typeC-3 tourist
- Max stay90 days
- Jeju visa-freeup to 30 days (Jeju only)
- Apply atKorean embassy/consulate or KVAC (VFS)
ⓘ A visa-free scheme for approved Chinese tour groups (3+) ran Sep 2025–Jun 2026; check whether it has been extended before relying on it. Jeju-only visa-free requires direct flights without mainland transit.
Step 0 — Apply in your consular district
China is divided among the Korean Embassy (Beijing) and several consulates-general, each with its own Korea Visa Application Center. Apply at the KVAC for the district where your household registration (hukou) is held.
Embassy & major consulates
Covers: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenyang, Chengdu, Wuhan, Qingdao, Xi'an districts
🏢 KVAC in each district (VFS Global)
vfsglobal.com (China) ↗Hong Kong / Macao
Covers: SAR residents (separate rules)
🏢 Consulate-General in Hong Kong
overseas.mofa.go.kr ↗ⓘ Not sure which district covers you? Check by the province on your hukou; the KVAC site lists each district's coverage.
The application, step by step (individual C-3)
- 1
Confirm the visa type
Individual tourists apply for the C-3 short-term tourist visa.
- 2
Fill the form at visa.go.kr
Complete the application form on the Korea Visa Portal — the only official site — then print and sign it. — Korea Visa Portal
- 3
Gather your documents
Collect the checklist below, including your household registration and financial proof.
- 4
Submit at your KVAC/consulate
Apply at the Korea Visa Application Center or consulate for your district.
- 5
Pay the fee
Pay the visa fee and service fee. Fees are non-refundable even if refused.
- 6
Track your application
Follow the status via the center's channel. Don't buy non-refundable flights before approval.
- 7
Collect your passport
Pick up in person or by courier and check the visa details immediately.
Document checklist — with where & how to get each
For each item, here is where to obtain it and what it must show.
Valid 6+ months with at least 2 blank visa pages.
White background, taken within 6 months, full face.
Copy of your hukou booklet; it helps establish your residence/district.
Stamped statement showing a stable balance sufficient for the trip.
Employed: employment certificate + leave approval. Self-employed: business licence.
Reservations/itinerary are enough — don't pay for a ticket before approval.
Property, vehicle or deposit certificates can strengthen a first-time file.
"How much money should I show?"
There is no single published minimum. Case officers look for a stable balance and clear ties to China (job, business, family, property). A steady history is more persuasive than a sudden deposit.
- Show a stable 3–6 month balance, not a last-minute lump sum.
- Add proof of ties: employment, business licence, or property.
- First-time traveler? A stronger financial + asset file helps.
Mistakes that cause refusals & delays
Applying outside the consular district of your hukou. Apply where your household registration is held.
Jeju visa-free is Jeju-only with direct flights — it does not allow mainland travel.
A big lump sum right before applying. Show steady, explainable funds.
Buying non-refundable tickets before approval — a reservation is enough.
The group visa-free trial was time-limited (through Jun 2026). Reconfirm before you count on it.
China → Korea visa FAQ
Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Korea?
For mainland Korea, yes — individual tourists apply for a C-3 tourist visa. Jeju Island allows visa-free entry up to 30 days, and approved group tours have had time-limited visa-free windows.
How does Jeju visa-free work?
You can enter Jeju without a visa for up to 30 days, but only on direct flights to and from Jeju — you cannot transit through mainland Korea.
Can tour groups still enter visa-free?
A trial for approved groups of 3+ ran Sep 2025–Jun 2026. Because such schemes are time-limited, confirm the current status with your travel agency or the embassy.
Where do I apply?
At the Korea Visa Application Center or Korean consulate for the district where your hukou is registered.
How much money do I need to show?
No fixed minimum — show a stable 3–6 month balance plus ties to China. Fees are non-refundable.
Do I still need the e-Arrival Card?
Entry-document rules such as the e-Arrival Card can still apply. Check the current rules near your travel date.
How long does a Korea visa take to process?
Once your documents are accepted, processing usually takes several business days, though it varies by season and by center. Apply well ahead of your trip and confirm the current turnaround where you apply.
Do children need their own Korea visa?
Yes — every traveler, including children, needs their own visa. A minor's application is submitted with a parent's supporting documents and proof of the family relationship.
What are the most common reasons a Korea visa is refused?
Weak or unclear financial proof, an unconvincing trip purpose, incomplete paperwork, or applying at the wrong jurisdiction. Follow the document checklist and apply at the center for your registered address.
Official channels & researched guides
Confirm at the official sources — rules and time-limited schemes change:
Official sources
Passport-photo spec for your visa
Korea's visa photo rules are strict — getting them wrong is a common reason applications are delayed or rejected:
- 35 × 45 mm, plain white background (a software-replaced background is not accepted).
- Face 70–80% of the photo height, front view, neutral expression.
- Taken within the last 6 months; no hat, generally no glasses, no retouching.
- Online upload (Korea Visa Portal): JPEG under 200 KB, at least 413 × 531 px.
Based on the Korea Visa Portal (visa.go.kr) and consulate rules — confirm your own consulate's exact requirements.
Live indicative rate — actual booth and card rates vary.
- Address
- 27 Myeongdong 2-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
- Phone
- +82-2-738-1038
For emergencies after you arrive (a lost passport, for example). Confirm current details at the official site.
Visa sorted? Now plan the rest of your trip
Arrival, getting around, where to stay, and what to do — the rest of your Korea trip, all here.
Travel facts are checked against official sources with a verification date. Prices, schedules and visa rules change — always confirm at the linked official source before you travel.