Plan Trip · Visa
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Korea Visa from Nepal

Visa guide · Nepal → Korea8 min read· Updated 2026-08-31
Immigration and arrivals at Incheon International Airport
Photo: Pmsyyz / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
TL;DR
  • Fill the form at visa.go.kr (the ONLY official portal), then print and sign it.
  • Book an online appointment at koreanembassynepal.org — slots open Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:00.
  • Have Nepali documents translated into English AND notarized; Korean documents must be originals issued within the last 3 months.
  • Fee NPR 5,400 (single entry), cash at the counter; result in about 21 working days.
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Yes — Nepali passport holders need a visa.

You'll apply for the C-3-9 short-term tourist visa (single entry, stay up to 90 days) at the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu, by online appointment. K-ETA/visa-free entry does NOT apply to Nepali passports.

VisaC-3-9 Short-Term TouristStayUp to 90 daysEntrySingle entry (multiple-entry possible in some cases — ask at the embassy)
Nepali citizens need a C-3-9 short-term tourist visa for Korea (single entry, stay up to 90 days), applied for at the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu by online appointment. Single-entry fee NPR 5,400; processing about 21 working days.2026-08-31
  • visaC-3-9 short-term tourist
  • entrysingle
  • stayup to 90 days
  • Apply atKorean Embassy, Kathmandu (appointment at koreanembassynepal.org)
  • FeeNPR 5,400 (single entry)
  • Processingabout 21 working days
Fees/rules change — confirm at sourceSource: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal (MOFA)

Book an online appointment at koreanembassynepal.org (slots open Mondays and Wednesdays 10:00). Nepali documents must be translated into English and notarized; Korean documents must be originals issued within the last 3 months. Flight bookings should show departure at least 21 days after the application. Submitting fake tickets or false details can bring a rejection and a 3-year re-application ban. Confirm current fees/rules at the embassy.

The application, step by step

  1. 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. 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, print and sign it. One form per applicant.Korea Visa Portal

  3. 3

    Book an online appointment

    Reserve a slot at koreanembassynepal.org. Appointment slots open on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:00 — book early, they fill fast.

  4. 4

    Assemble & prepare your documents

    Collect the checklist below. Nepali documents must be translated into English and notarized; any Korean documents must be originals issued within the last 3 months.

  5. 5

    Attend the appointment & pay

    Submit your form and documents in person at the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu at your appointment time, and pay the NPR 5,400 fee in cash at the counter.

  6. 6

    Wait for processing

    Processing takes about 21 working days. Don't book non-refundable flights until you're approved; you may be asked for more documents.

  7. 7

    Collect your passport

    Pick it up as instructed and 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. Nepali documents need an English translation and notarization.

PassportRequired
WhereYou have it

Valid 6+ months beyond your trip, with at least 2 blank pages. Bring old passports too if you have them.

Visa application formRequired

Complete on the Korea Visa Portal, print and sign. One per applicant.

PhotoRequired
WhereAny photo studio

One recent passport-size photo, plain white background, taken within the last 6 months, full face.

Round-trip flight reservationRequired
WhereAirline / travel agent

A confirmed reservation with departure at least 21 days after you apply. Do NOT buy a paid ticket before approval, and never submit a fake ticket.

Accommodation proofRequired
WhereHotel booking sites

Confirmed hotel bookings covering your stay. Staying with someone? Add an invitation letter + host's ID/ARC copy.

Cover letter + itineraryRequired
WhereWrite it yourself (English)

A letter stating the purpose of your visit and a day-by-day plan.

Bank statement / financial proofRequired
WhereYour bank

A recent statement (with the bank's seal) showing you can fund the trip. Nepali documents need English translation + notarization.

Proof of employment / statusRequired
WhereEmployer / business / college

Employed: employment/leave letter. Self-employed: business registration. Student: enrolment certificate. Translated to English and notarized.

"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 Nepal. Case officers look at stability, not just a headline number.

  • Show a consistent balance — a large deposit made days before applying looks weak.
  • Pair the bank statement with proof of your job, business or studies; 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

🚫
Fake or mismatched flight tickets

Submitting a fake ticket or false travel details can bring a rejection AND a 3-year ban on re-applying. Use a genuine reservation.

📜
Un-notarized Nepali documents

Nepali documents must be translated into English and notarized. Un-translated or un-notarized papers get sent back.

📅
Missing the appointment window

Appointment slots open Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:00 and fill quickly. Plan your booking around them.

🎫
Buying flights too early

Paying for non-refundable tickets before approval. A reservation (departure 21+ days out) is enough for the file.

🖼️
Bad photo

Wrong size, colored background, glasses or an old photo. Use a fresh white-background passport photo.

Nepal → Korea visa FAQ

Do Nepali citizens need a visa for Korea?

Yes — for tourism you apply in advance for the C-3-9 short-term tourist visa. Nepali passports are not visa-free and not on the K-ETA list.

How do I get an appointment?

Book online at koreanembassynepal.org. Slots open on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:00 and fill fast, so book as early as you can.

How long does it take?

About 21 working days, and longer during peak season or if extra checks are needed. Apply well ahead of your trip.

How much does it cost?

NPR 5,400 for a single-entry short-term visa, paid in cash at the embassy counter. Amounts change — confirm the current fee at the embassy.

Do my documents need translation?

Yes — Nepali documents must be translated into English and notarized. Any Korean documents must be originals issued within the last 3 months.

Why does the flight need to depart 21+ days after applying?

The embassy expects your travel dates to allow for processing (about 21 working days). Book a reservation with a departure at least 21 days out — and never a fake ticket.

Can I get a multiple-entry visa?

Multiple-entry tourist visas are possible in some cases, but eligibility varies. Ask at the embassy about current rules for Nepal.

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

Verify anything here against the official sources — fees, forms and rules 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.

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.