Visa Applications / Entry Requirements: South Korea
Responsibilities
SERVISUM Berlin
all federal states, regardless of the applicant's place of residence
German citizens and 66 other nationalities who travel visa-free as tourists or for business trips (for meetings and conferences) are required to obtain an electronic entry permit (known as ETA) before starting their journey. The exemption from the K-ETA travel authorization for German citizens and some other nationalities has been extended until 31.12.25. However, it can still be requested if desired. Further information can be found under “eVisa”.
All nationalities that cannot apply for an ETA must apply for a regular visa.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL VISA CATEGORIES
- Visa application
see right, please complete in full
!! Please also note the following information !! - Declaration of consent
for the Korean Visa Application Center (KVAC), download here - Original passport,
must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the trip - Non-German applicants: current registration certificate (if EU citizen) or copy of residence permit for Germany (if not an EU citizen)
Attention: It must be clear that you have been living in Germany for 2 years. - Original passport photo
original, biometric, not older than 6 months, photo requirements
Additional requirements for TOURIST VISAS
- Proof of sufficient financial resources
Bank statements for the last 3 months prior to application - Salary statements
for the last 6 months prior to application - Certificate of employment
Additional requirements for BUSINESS VISAS
- Invitation letter
from the company in South Korea, with the purpose of the trip, travel period and role of the applicant - Secondment letter
from the employer in Germany, with a detailed description of the reason for the trip (sample), travel period and position in the company - Business Registration Certificate
Copy of the extract from the commercial register of the company in South Korea, not older than 3 months - Proof of the relationship between the inviting and sending company
e.g. draft contract or meeting plan (from the inviting company)
Additional requirements for TECHNICIANS AND ENGINEERS (short-term employment, single entry, up to 90 days)
- Invitation letter
of the company in South Korea, with travel purpose, travel period and number of entries (single entry) - Secondment letter
of the employer in Germany, with a detailed description of the reason for travelling (sample) and number of entries (single entry) - Business Registration Certificate
Copy of the commercial register extract of the company in South Korea, not older than 3 months - Proof of the relationship between the inviting and sending company
e. g. contract/purchase order. Copy of the contract between the German and South Korean company, if the work is contractual with signatures
Additional requirements for TECHNICIANS AND ENGINEERS (single entry (multi for germans only, up to 90 days)
- Invitation letter
of the company in South Korea, with travel purpose, travel period and number of entries - Secondment letter
of the employer in Germany, with a detailed description of the reason for travelling (sample) and number of entries - Business Registration Certificate
Copy of the commercial register extract of the company in South Korea, not older than 3 months - Proof of the relationship between the inviting and sending company
e. g. contract/purchase order. Copy of the contract between the German and South Korean company, if the work is contractual with signatures - Certificate of Tax payment
for the last 12 months of the inviting company
Processing time (without guarantee):
approx. 2 weeks
German citizens and 66 other nationals who travel visa-free as tourists or on business trips (for meetings and conferences) are required to obtain an electronic entry permit (known as ETA) before starting their journey.
The exemption from the K-ETA travel authorization for German citizens and some other nationalities has been extended until December 31, 2025. However, it can still be applied for if requested.
You can see how to apply for a K-ETA via SERVISUM in the black box on the right.
Processing time (without guarantee):
approx. 1-3 business days
Embassy/consular fee for Germans
B = €36.00 (single entry or depending on nationality)
KVAC fee in Berlin = €60.00
NOTE: For passport pick-up, the SERVISUM fee for afternoon pick-up in the amount of €35.00, plus VAT, is always charged
The Embassy in Berlin has outsourced the processing of visas. An Application Center (KVAC) accepts the applications and charges a fee for doing so.
Visa application
To complete the application on your PC, save it first.