South Korea Passport & Visa Requirements

Entry requirements for Americans:

United States citizens do not require a visa for a touristic stay of up to 30 days (business travellers generally do need a visa, with certain exceptions). A passport or certificate of identity with permission from the Korean Ministry of Justice is required for entry.

Entry requirements for UK nationals:

A valid passport or certificate of identity with permission from the Korean Ministry of Justice is required. A visa is not needed for a tourist visit of up to three months for holders of British passports endorsed British Citizen or British National (Overseas). Other passport holders, and business travellers, must obtain a visa.

Entry requirements for Canadians:

Canadians do not require a visa for a touristic stay of up to six months. Business travellers, with certain exceptions, generally do require a visa. A passport or Certificate of Identity with permission from the Korean Ministry of Justice is required.

Entry requirements for Australians:

Australian nationals do not require a visa for a touristic stay of up to three months. With certain exceptions, business travellers do require a visa. A passport or Certificate of Identity with permission from the Korean Ministry of Justice is also required.

Entry requirements for South Africans:

South African nationals do not require a visa for a touristic stay of up to 30 days, but business travellers, with certain exceptions, do need a visa. A passport is required or a Certificate of Identity with permission from the Korean Ministry of Justice.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders:

New Zealanders do not require a visa for a stay of up to three months. A passport or Certificate of Identity with permission from the Korean Ministry of Justice is required.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals:

Citizens of Ireland do not require a visa for a stay of up to three months. A passport or Certificate of Identity with permission from the Korean Ministry of Justice is required.

Passport/Visa Note:

All visitors require a valid passport, a return or onward ticket, sufficient funds for maintenance, and a contact address in Korea. Those requiring a visa should obtain one from a Korean Embassy or Consulate before entering the country. Visas are good for five years or however long the passport is valid. Before expiry holders of visas can leave and return to Korea without any problems.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Currency Information:

Currency

Won (KRW). Notes are in denominations of KRW10,000, 5000 and 1000. KRW1000 is called Chon Won in Korean (chon means ‘one thousand’). Coins are in denominations of KRW500, 100, 50 and 10.

Currency Exchange

Foreign bank notes and travelers cheques can be exchanged at foreign exchange banks and other authorized money changers. ATMs are available in all major cities, but all instructions are in Korean.

Credit & Debit Cards

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted at major hotels, shops and restaurants in the larger cities. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Traveller's Cheques

Accepted, but may be difficult to change in smaller towns. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques in US Dollars.

The Korea Travel Card (KTC)

This is a multi-purpose, pre-paid travel card sold by the Korean National Tourism Office, Shinhan Card and the Shinhan Bank, only to foreign tourists or residents. This card provides discounts on currency charges, international and national calls and provides free travel insurance. The card can be bought in denominations of KRW100,000, 200,000, 300,000, 500,000 or in a customized amount between KRW100,000 and 500,000.

Currency restrictions

The import and export of local currency is allowed up to KRW8,000,000. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, provided amounts greater than US$10,000 (including traveller's cheques) are declared on arrival. Export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival.