Are you a UAE resident and planning to travel to South Korea? You are guaranteed to have an amazing experience. South Korea is a country that is not only rich in culture and history but also famous for its K-pop and K-drama industry which is hard to match by other countries. However, before you plan your trip, knowing the South Korean visa requirements is important. This time we will write a complete guide to South Korea visa requirements for UAE residents.
Read carefully so you can relax and have fun while traveling to South Korea!
South Korea Tourist Visa
Tourist visas are issued to eligible foreign nationals to visit South Korea for tourism, transit, visiting friends or family members, attending events (festivals, music, etc.), including short-term medical treatment in South Korea. Tourist visa holders can stay in South Korea for up to 90 days.
When you apply for a tourism visa, there are 3 options you can choose. The type of visa chosen will impact processing time, price, and eligibility requirements.
- Single Entry Visa: suitable for those of you who are planning a one-time holiday or a short business trip to South Korea. This is the tourist visa most often chosen by tourists.
- Double Entry Visa: this visa allows visitors to enter South Korea twice within 6 months. This visa is suitable for visitors traveling on business or visiting family members.
- Multiple Entry Visa: suitable for those of you who plan to visit South Korea regularly over several years, for example for routine medical treatment or to see family who work or study there.
For complete details regarding the visa policy, you can see it here.
Who needs a South Korea visa?
If you are a foreign citizen living in the UAE and want to go to South Korea, you must first check whether your country requires a visa to enter South Korea or otherwise does not require a visa. However, most European passport holders do not need a visa to go to South Korea.
If your country is visa-free you may still need a K-ETA. K-ETA is an electronic travel authorization issued to visa-exempt citizens. You can get more complete information about K-ETA here.
Quick tips before you continue:
- You can apply for a South Korean Visa if your residence visa shows you have stayed for more than 3 months
- Make sure to make an appointment well in advance. Appointments at the Korean Consulate in Dubai were only available on Monday morning and filled up quickly
- You must prepare all the required documents and information. We recommend you create your account directly at https://consul.mofa.go.kr/en/main.do so you can check the details regularly.
South Korea Visa Requirements
The following are the South Korea Visa requirements that you must complete if you wish to apply for a visa to visit South Korea.
1. Original passport and photocopy of passport
Your original passport must have a minimum validity period of six months and there must be at least 2 blank pages in the passport. Be sure to bring several copies.
2. Resident Visa in UAE
If you are going to apply for a South Korean Visa in Dubai, you must attach a copy of your residence visa in Dubai. The visa must be valid for at least 3 months when you return to Dubai.
3. Emirates Identity Card, copy and original
Bring a copy of your Emirates ID card with a minimum validity period of 6 months.
4. No Objection Certificate from the Company
A statement letter is issued by the HR department that explains your employment status, position, and salary. It also contains information that the company allows you to travel. You should also make sure your letter has an official stamp.
5. Bank Financial Documents
Attach the latest statements from your active bank account for the last 3 months, a maximum of 1 week. This data is needed to assess your ability to cover travel costs. You must have a minimum balance of ₹ 70,000 or equal to AED 3100 per person. Your pay slip can be added too.
6. Two Passport Size Photos with White Background
Bring your recent color photo, passport size, with a white background. Make sure the size is correct and bring any additional items.
7. Round-trip plane ticket & Travel Insurance
You must have a round-trip air ticket as proof. The reservation document must include the departure and return dates and flight number. Travel insurance is also a must. We summarize it here, so you know that you can buy insurance along with your ticket.
8. Proof of accommodation reservation
Bring proof of accommodation reservations for your stay in South Korea. This includes a confirmed hotel or lodging reservation, or a letter of invitation from your host if you are coming to stay with friends or family. The invitation letter must be official and must have a local notary stamp.
They will also likely ask for details of your activities while in South Korea. If you make travel reservations through us, we can prepare a detailed itinerary for your stay in South Korea.
9. Application form
Once all the documents above are complete, fill them in the South Korea visa application form which is filled in correctly and completely. Print and sign the document.
How to Apply for a South Korea Visa from Dubai
The South Korea visa application procedure is not too difficult if you can follow all the specified steps and conditions.
Step 1: Collect and Validate All Required Documents
Start by gathering all the documents above, and validate them so they are still valid when you are ready to submit your application. Like bank statements that shouldn’t be too far back, up to the NOC from the office. Make sure your documents meet the criteria of the South Korean embassy.
Step 2: Double-check your Citizenship Criteria and Travel Purpose
Please review your citizenship criteria, as different countries may have different visa agreements with the Republic of Korea. We recommend that you seek more detailed information on the Korean government website.
Step 3: Fill in the South Korea Visa Application Form
You can download the application form from the link embedded above. Study carefully and fill in the correct information. Don’t forget to sign and date the form, as validation for your visa application.
Step 4: Schedule an Appointment at the South Korea Embassy
This is the most important step as appointments at the Korean Consulate in Dubai are only available on Monday mornings and fill up quickly. Will likely get an appointment in the next 2-3 weeks. However, you have to make sure you have everything in hand because you might get ahead of schedule.
This fourth step is for the biometric process and payment of Visa fees.
Tips from us: If you are flying with a family group, register only yourself, your children, or your partner. However, if you go with friends, make individual appointments.
Address: Consulate General of the Republic of Korea
Telephone: +971-4-344-9200
Step 5: Attend an Appointment at the Embassy
Next, you come to the South Korean embassy according to the scheduled date, along with all the documents that you have completed. Sort documents well and neatly according to embassy guidelines. You will undergo a biometric process and carry a visa.
Go through the biometric process and pay the required visa fees. Make sure all documents are organized and submitted according to embassy guidelines.
FYI, When you go to your appointment, they will keep your passport for 2 weeks. And if your visa is approved, you can collect it along with your passport in 2 weeks later.
Step 6: Pay and Wait for Visa Processing
South Korea visa fees depend on the type of visa you apply for. The final price is AED 146 for a single-entry visa, up to AED 330 for a multiple-entry visa.
The visa process takes approximately 14 working days, and you can check your visa status online.
Step 7: Collect Your Visa
After your visa application is approved, you can pick it up again at the Korean Embassy. Verify all the details before you leave.
We hope the complete guides above are useful for you. After following the steps above, we hope that your tourist visa application for South Korea can be carried out more efficiently and successfully.
Now is the time to make your South Korean travel plans come true! Book your South Korea Tour through Dubaimusts, a trusted travel partner, we are ready to ensure comfort and safety during your South Korea adventure. We hope you enjoy planning your vacation.
