With booming industries in tech, IT, electronics, telecommunications, and many other fields, companies from around the world are working with South Korea businesses, leading to a steady stream of business travel.
Here we will review the South Korean business visa process, including the steps needed to complete your application, what materials and documents you need before applying, the fees you’ll be expected to pay, and the wait time to get your South Korea Business Visa.
You’ll need to get a business visa if you’re coming to South Korea for the following reasons:
Business visas are not work permits. Foreign employees traveling to South Korea for an employment contract or other employment purposes will need a work visa.
South Korea offers a range of business visa types. For most common business-travel activities, like attending meetings, business travelers can visit South Korea using the Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA).
This two-year authorization permits stays of up to 90 days in South Korea for work purposes like attending conferences and meetings. It’s also multiple-entry, meaning you can enter and leave South Korea multiple times within its two-year validity period.
Nearly 100 countries around the world, including the US, are eligible for visa-free travel to South Korea and need to only apply for the K-ETA to enter the country. Normally you’d apply via Entriva or the online visa portal, but Korean immigration has waived the K-ETA requirement for travelers from the US and 21 other countries through December 31, 2024.
Entriva is here to make the visa-issuance process fast and simple. Here’s all the information you’ll need to provide for us to complete your application form:
Once your completed application form is submitted, you can check the status of your e-visa application on your personal Traveler Hub
The following are the necessary documents you’ll need to apply for a business visa or K-ETA for business purposes in South Korea. All supporting documents should be in PDF format.
Different kinds of South Korean business visas come with different validity. For the most common, the Electronic Travel Authorization permits visits of up to 90 days. The authorization is valid for two years and is a multiple-entry visa.
Korean immigration charges ₩10,000 (Korean won; KRW) for a K-ETA, plus any applicable processing fees.
Booking a visa with Entriva ensures you get the right visa in time, every time. In addition to mandatory government fees, Entriva charges amongst the industry’s lowest handling fees, starting at just $50.
Start your visa application now to receive a quote.
Here are some commonly asked questions about South Korean Business Visas:
Getting a K-ETA for business purposes takes between 48 and 72 hours. For other types of business visas, processing can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months after your visa application form is received.
The K-ETA cannot be extended or renewed while you’re in South Korea; you’ll need to leave the country to either reapply for a new K-ETA or, if your two-year K-ETA is still valid, to reenter for another 90 days. If you’re visiting South Korea on a different work visa, you can apply for an extension or renewal at the Immigration Office in Seoul.
Nearly 100 countries, including the US, are permitted visa-free travel to South Korea. For business trips to South Korea that fall under the perimeters of the K-ETA, you don’t need to get a K-ETA prior to or upon arriving in South Korea. If you plan on staying in South Korea longer than 90 days for business purposes, you will need to apply for the appropriate visa.
No, South Korean business visas and employment visas serve different purposes. A range of business and employment visas are available.
No, not with the K-ETA. You’ll need to complete a Korea work visa application to teach English or undertake other work or employment opportunities in South Korea. You can only participate in the permitted business activities under the K-ETA, like attending seminars and meetings. Other South Korea work visas and employment visas, such as the foreign-language instructor visa and short-term employment visa, are available for other kinds of work travel in South Korea.
The duration of stay allowed on a business visa depends on the visa type and validity specified. For the K-ETA, you can stay in South Korea for up to 90 days and reenter multiple times.
No, the K-ETA is a multiple-entry visa, allowing multiple visits to South Korea during its two-year validity.
As the K-ETA covers both short-term tourism and business visits, you don’t need to convert the K-ETA.
In case of delays, you should apply at least two weeks before your trip.
Keep a print copy of your business K-ETA and your passport in a safe place. International travel document holders will help keep all your essential documents in one place.
Didn’t find the answer you needed? Reach out to us directly —we’re happy to help.
If your purpose for visiting South Korea isn’t to conduct business, there are other visa types available, including tourism visas. We can help with those too.
Obtaining a visa is an essential part of planning your trip. At Entriva, we can easily and efficiently help you with every aspect of getting a South Korea visa. Start your visa application process.
For more information on other aspects of travel to South Korea, including travel requirements, local laws, and culture and traditions, visit our South Korea content hub.
