Korea Visa from Vietnam
- Fill the form at visa.go.kr (the only official portal), print and sign it.
- Submit in person at the KVAC for your region — Hanoi (north) or Ho Chi Minh City (south).
- Bring passport, photo, proof of funds (now just 1–2 types), and proof of your job/business/study.
- Fees are set by reciprocity and non-refundable — confirm the current amount at the KVAC.
Yes — Vietnamese passport holders need a visa.
You'll apply for the C-3-9 short-term tourist visa in person at a Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. The good news: the paperwork was simplified and long-validity visas are expanding.
Korea has been widening multi-year, multiple-entry visas for Vietnamese travelers to boost tourism. Eligibility conditions apply — ask at the KVAC/embassy whether you qualify.
The financial-proof requirement was reduced — you typically submit only 1–2 types of proof. Company-sponsored group tours can apply on the organizer's guarantee, and students can use an enrollment certificate + parents' financials.
- Visa typeC-3-9 short-term tourist
- Max stay90 days
- Financial documentssimplified: 1–2 types
- Multi-yearup to 10-year multiple-entry (eligibility applies)
- Apply atKVAC Hanoi / Ho Chi Minh City
ⓘ Visa fees are set by reciprocity and are non-refundable — confirm the current amount at the KVAC. Jurisdiction splits into Hanoi (visaforkorea-vt.com) and Ho Chi Minh City (visaforkorea-hc.com). Form: visa.go.kr.
Step 0 — Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Vietnam has two Korea Visa Application Centers. Apply at the one for your area of residence. Both open Monday–Friday (roughly 08:00–16:30); closed weekends and holidays.
KVAC Hanoi (Embassy jurisdiction)
Covers: Northern & central Vietnam
🏢 Hanoi
visaforkorea-vt.com ↗KVAC Ho Chi Minh City (Consulate jurisdiction)
Covers: Southern Vietnam
🏢 Ho Chi Minh City
visaforkorea-hc.com ↗ⓘ Check each center's jurisdiction list if you're unsure which province it covers.
The application, step by step
- 1
Confirm the visa type
For tourism, apply for the C-3-9 short-term visit (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 the (simplified) documents
Collect the checklist below. Financial proof is now just 1–2 types, so choose the strongest evidence you have.
- 4
Submit at your KVAC
Bring everything to the KVAC in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City during working hours.
- 5
Pay the fee
Pay the visa fee plus the center service fee. Fees are non-refundable even if the visa is refused.
- 6
Track your application
Follow the status by the center's tracking 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 as soon as you receive it.
Document checklist — with where & how to get each
For each item, here is where you obtain it and what it must show. Consistency across documents matters as much as the documents themselves.
Valid 6+ months, at least 2 blank pages. Bring old passports with past travel too.
White background, taken within 6 months, full face, no glasses.
Choose the strongest: a bank statement with a stable balance (bank-stamped), a savings-book/term-deposit certificate, or a salary confirmation. A steady history beats a sudden deposit.
Employed: labor contract + leave approval. Self-employed: business registration. Student: enrollment certificate (+ parents' financials).
Reservations/itinerary are enough — don't pay for a ticket before approval.
An invitation plus the host's ID/ARC copy and, if they sponsor you, their financial proof.
A short letter of purpose and a day-by-day plan strengthens a tourist file.
"How much money should I show?"
There is no single published minimum. The goal is to prove you can fund the trip and have strong reasons to return to Vietnam (job, business, family, study). Because financial proof is now limited to 1–2 types, pick your most convincing evidence.
- A stable 3–6 month balance is more convincing than a large last-minute deposit.
- Pair funds with proof of ties: a labor contract, business registration, or school enrollment.
- Being sponsored (e.g., by a company or family)? Include the sponsor's guarantee/financials.
Mistakes that cause refusals & delays
Applying in Hanoi when your residence is under the HCMC jurisdiction (or vice-versa).
A big lump sum right before applying. Show steady, explainable funds.
No proof you'll return. Add a labor contract, business papers, or school enrollment.
Buying non-refundable tickets before approval — a reservation is enough.
Wrong size or background. Use a fresh 3.5×4.5 cm white-background photo.
Vietnam → Korea visa FAQ
Do Vietnamese citizens need a visa for Korea?
Yes, for mainland Korea you apply in advance for the C-3-9 tourist visa. (Ordinary passports are not visa-free for Korea.)
Can I get a 5- or 10-year visa?
Korea has been expanding multi-year, multiple-entry visas for Vietnamese travelers. Eligibility depends on your profile and travel history — ask the KVAC/embassy whether you qualify.
Where do I apply?
At the Korea Visa Application Center in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, depending on where you live, or the Korean embassy/consulate.
How much money do I need to prove?
There's no fixed minimum. Show a stable balance and strong ties to Vietnam. Financial proof is now simplified to 1–2 types.
How much is the fee?
Fees are set by reciprocity and vary; they are non-refundable even if refused. Confirm the current amount at your KVAC.
I'm going on a company incentive trip — simpler?
Yes. For company-organized group tours, the organizing company's guarantee can replace individual financial documents.
Do I still need the e-Arrival Card?
Entry-document rules like the e-Arrival Card can still apply on arrival. Check the current rules close to your travel date.
Can Vietnamese travelers visit Jeju without a visa?
Jeju Island runs a separate visa-free entry program open to many nationalities, for a stay on the island only. Check the current eligibility list before you rely on it, as the rules change.
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.
Official channels & researched guides
Confirm fees, forms and jurisdictions at the official sources — they 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
- 123 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Phone
- +82-2-720-5124
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.