Korea Visa from Sri Lanka
- Fill the form at visa.go.kr (the ONLY official portal), print and sign it.
- Submit in person at the Korean Embassy in Colombo (No. 98 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7).
- Bring passport (valid 6+ months, 1+ blank page), photo, flight + hotel reservations, and a bank statement.
- Pay the fee in rupees at the embassy's current rate; processing takes a minimum of about 15 working days (no express service).
Yes — Sri Lankan passport holders need a visa.
You'll apply for the C-3-9 short-term tourist visa — a paper visa (single entry, stay up to 90 days) — at the Korean Embassy in Colombo. K-ETA/visa-free entry does NOT apply to Sri Lankan passports.
- visaC-3-9 short-term tourist (paper visa)
- stayup to 90 days
- Apply atKorean Embassy, Colombo (No. 98 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7)
- Processingminimum about 15 working days
- Feepaid in LKR at the embassy's current rate
ⓘ This is a paper visa, not an e-visa. The fee is paid in rupees at the rate in the embassy's current 'Visa Fee Increase' notice — confirm the amount there. There is no express service (early issuance is only for diplomatic/official passports). Passport must be valid 6+ months with at least one blank page. Missing any required document can cause a rejection.
The application, step by step
- 1
Confirm the visa type
For tourism you want the C-3-9 short-term visit (tourist) visa, issued as a paper 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, print and sign it. One form per applicant. — Korea Visa Portal
- 3
Assemble your documents
Collect every document in the checklist below. Missing any required document is a common cause of rejection.
- 4
Submit at the Korean Embassy, Colombo
Bring your form and documents in person to the Embassy at No. 98 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7. Public hours are around 09:30–12:00 and 14:30–16:30 — check the embassy site before you go. — Korean Embassy, Sri Lanka
- 5
Pay the fee (in rupees)
The fee is paid in Sri Lankan rupees at the rate in the embassy's current 'Visa Fee Increase' notice. Confirm the amount on the embassy site.
- 6
Wait for processing
Processing takes a minimum of about 15 working days — there is no express service (early issuance is only for diplomatic/official passports). Don't book non-refundable flights until you're approved.
- 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.
Valid 6+ months beyond your trip, with at least one blank page for the visa. Bring old passports too if you have them.
Complete on the Korea Visa Portal, print and sign. One per applicant.
Plain 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.
A recent statement (with the bank's seal) showing you can fund the trip. A steady balance is far more convincing than a sudden deposit.
Employed: employment/leave letter. Self-employed: business registration. Student: enrolment certificate. Retired: pension proof.
"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 Sri Lanka. 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
Missing any required document can cause a rejection. Use the checklist above and double-check before you submit.
There is no express service; processing takes a minimum of about 15 working days. Apply well ahead of your trip.
Paying for non-refundable tickets before approval. A reservation is enough for the file.
Only visa.go.kr (form) and the official Korean Embassy in Colombo handle Korea visas — ignore look-alike sites that charge extra.
Wrong size, colored background, glasses or an old photo. Use a fresh 35 × 45 mm white-background shot.
Sri Lanka → Korea visa FAQ
Do Sri Lankan citizens need a visa for Korea?
Yes — for tourism you apply in advance for the C-3-9 short-term tourist visa, issued as a paper visa. Sri Lankan passports are not visa-free and not on the K-ETA list.
Where do I apply?
In person at the Korean Embassy in Colombo (No. 98 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7). You fill the form on the Korea Visa Portal, visa.go.kr.
How long does it take?
A minimum of about 15 working days, and longer for some cases. There is no express service, so apply well ahead of your trip.
How much does it cost?
The fee is paid in Sri Lankan rupees at the rate in the embassy's current 'Visa Fee Increase' notice. Confirm the exact amount on the embassy site.
Is there an express or urgent option?
No. Early issuance is only available for diplomatic and official passport holders.
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 Sri Lanka.
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.