Korea Visa from India
- Fill the form at visa.go.kr (the ONLY official portal), print and sign it.
- Walk in (no appointment) to the Korea Visa Application Center for YOUR state — India has two jurisdictions.
- Bring passport, photo, flight + hotel reservations, 6-month bank statement, and 2–3 years of ITR.
- Fee ≈ INR 3,400 + service fee; result in about 5–10 working days.
Yes — Indian passport holders need a visa.
You'll apply for the C-3-9 short-term tourist visa (single entry, stay up to 90 days) in person at a Korea Visa Application Center. K-ETA/visa-free entry does NOT apply to Indian passports.
- Visa typeC-3-9 short-term tourist
- Max stay90 days
- Visa fee≈ INR 3,400 (single entry)
- Service fee≈ INR 1,100–1,400
- Processing≈ 5–10 working days
- Appointmentnot required
ⓘ Fees and processing vary by center and season — confirm at your KVAC. The form and any e-application are only at visa.go.kr (the only official portal). India is split into two jurisdictions: Embassy/New Delhi (visaforkorea-id.com) and Chennai Consulate (visaforkorea-ce.com).
Step 0 — Find YOUR center (this trips people up)
India is split into two consular jurisdictions. You must apply at the center that covers your state of residence — showing up at the wrong one wastes the trip. This is the single most common mistake.
Embassy of Korea — New Delhi jurisdiction
Covers: Most of India: North, West, East & Central states (Delhi NCR, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, UP, Punjab, etc.)
🏢 New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata & more
visaforkorea-id.com ↗Consulate General — Chennai jurisdiction
Covers: South India: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana & Puducherry
🏢 Chennai, Bengaluru
visaforkorea-ce.com ↗ⓘ Not sure which is yours? Open the KVAC site for your region and check its jurisdiction/center list before travelling to submit.
The application, step by step
- 1
Confirm the visa type
For tourism you want the C-3-9 short-term visit (tourist) visa. Gather the checklist below before you start.
- 2
Fill the form at visa.go.kr
Go to the Korea Visa Portal (visa.go.kr) — the only official site. Complete the application form online, then print and sign it. One form per applicant. — Korea Visa Portal
- 3
Assemble your documents
Collect every document in the checklist below. Missing financials or a wrong-format photo are the top reasons for delays.
- 4
Go to your KVAC — no appointment
Walk in to the Korea Visa Application Center for your jurisdiction during working hours. No appointment is required in India.
- 5
Submit & pay
Hand over your form + documents and pay the visa fee plus the center service fee at the counter.
- 6
Track your application
Follow the status by email/SMS or on the KVAC tracking page. Don't book non-refundable flights until you're approved.
- 7
Collect your passport
Pick up in person or by courier. Check the visa sticker details (name, dates, entry type) the moment you receive it.
Document checklist — with where & how to get each
This is the part every other site skips. For each document, here is exactly where you obtain it and what it must show.
Valid 6+ months beyond your trip, at least 2 blank pages, issued within the last 10 years. Bring old passports too.
Complete on the Korea Visa Portal, print, and sign. One per applicant.
White background, taken within the last 6 months, full face, no glasses or headwear.
A confirmed reservation/itinerary is enough — do NOT buy a paid ticket before the visa is approved.
Confirmed hotel bookings covering your stay. Staying with someone? Add an invitation letter + host's ID/ARC copy.
Request a 6-month statement with the bank's seal/stamp and an authorized signature. A steady balance is far more convincing than a sudden deposit.
Download the ITR-V / acknowledgement for the last 2–3 years from the Income Tax e-filing portal.
Employed: leave letter + employment letter on company letterhead. Self-employed: business registration / GST. Student: bonafide certificate. Retired: pension proof.
A short letter stating trip purpose and dates, plus a day-by-day plan. Not always mandatory, but it strengthens a tourist file.
If you genuinely can't provide ITR or bank statements, include a signed letter explaining why.
"How much bank balance do I need?"
There is no single official minimum published for the tourist visa. What matters is proving you can comfortably fund the whole trip and have reasons to return to India. Case officers look at stability, not just a headline number.
- Show a consistent balance over 6 months — a large deposit made days before applying looks weak.
- Pair the bank statement with your ITR; together they tell a credible story.
- Being sponsored? Add the sponsor's bank statement, a signed sponsorship letter, and proof of your relationship.
Mistakes that cause rejections & delays
Applying at a center that doesn't cover your state. Check your jurisdiction (Delhi vs Chennai) first.
A sudden large deposit right before applying. Show steady, explainable funds instead.
Paying for non-refundable tickets before approval. A reservation is enough for the file.
No income-tax returns and no explanation. If you can't file ITR, attach a clear explanation letter.
Wrong size, colored background, glasses or an old photo. Use a fresh 35×45 mm white-background shot.
India → Korea visa FAQ
Can Indians get a Korea visa on arrival or e-visa?
Not for standard tourism — Indian passport holders apply in advance for the C-3-9 tourist visa at a Korea Visa Application Center. The Korea Visa Portal (visa.go.kr) is where you fill the form; some categories support e-application there.
Do I need an appointment?
No. In India you can walk in to the KVAC during working hours and submit; no prior appointment is required.
How long does it take?
Usually about 5–10 working days, but it can be longer during peak travel season or if extra checks are needed. Apply well ahead of your trip.
How much does it cost?
Roughly INR 3,400 for a single-entry short-term visa, plus the center's service fee (around INR 1,100–1,400). Amounts change — confirm the current fee at your KVAC.
Which center do I go to?
It depends on your state of residence. South Indian states go through the Chennai jurisdiction (Chennai, Bengaluru); the rest of India goes through the New Delhi/Embassy jurisdiction (New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and more).
Can I get a multiple-entry visa?
Multiple-entry tourist visas are possible in some cases (for example applicants with strong travel history), but eligibility varies. Ask at your KVAC or the consulate about current multiple-entry rules for India.
What if I've never filed ITR?
Submit a signed letter explaining why, and strengthen the file with a solid 6-month bank statement and, if relevant, a sponsor's documents.
Do I still need the e-Arrival Card after I get the visa?
The e-Arrival Card requirement can still apply on entry. Check the entry-document rules close to your travel date on the official sites.
Official channels & researched guides
Verify anything here against the official sources — fees, forms and jurisdictions do 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
- Dokseodang-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 04419
- Phone
- +82-2-798-4257
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.