South Korea Tourist Visa

For Georgian citizens and residents looking to visit South Korea, the landscape has shifted slightly toward more digital preparation, though the core requirements for the traditional visa remain quite firm.

Since Georgia does not currently have a visa-waiver agreement with South Korea, the process is more involved than the K-ETA “shortcut” used by Western travelers. You’ll be applying for a C-3-9 Tourist Visa.

The Gateway for Georgians: The C-3-9 Visa

If you hold a Georgian passport, you are not eligible for K-ETA. Instead, you must apply for a physical visa at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Tbilisi. This is true whether you are a Georgian citizen or a foreign national living in Georgia with a Temporary Residence Card (TRC).

• The TRC Factor: If you are not a Georgian citizen but are living in Georgia, you must provide your Georgian Residence Permit (TRC) as part of your application. The embassy typically requires that your residency be valid for at least 3 to 6 months beyond your planned return date to ensure you have a legal right to return to your current home.

2026 Requirements & Paperwork

The embassy has become very specific about the “financial anchor” of your trip. Here is what you need to gather:

• Financial Proof: This is the most critical part. You need a bank certificate and a 6-month transaction statement. As of May 2026, the unofficial “safe” balance is approximately $3,000 USD (or the equivalent in GEL) to prove you can comfortably afford the trip.
• Employment Verification: An official letter from your employer in English, stating your position, salary, and the fact that your leave has been approved. If you are self-employed, you’ll need your business registration documents and tax records.
• The Itinerary: Unlike the vague plans allowed in previous years, authorities now prefer a day-by-day breakdown of what you intend to do. It doesn’t have to be a novel, but “Sightseeing in Seoul” for seven days straight is often flagged as too vague.
• Flight & Hotel: You need confirmed bookings. A helpful tip: many travelers use “reserve now, pay later” options, but ensure the dates on these matches your visa application form exactly.

Fees and Processing (May 2026 Update)

As of this month, the fees have remained stable but must be paid in cash USD. The embassy does not typically accept GEL or card payments for visa fees.

• Single-Entry Fee (up to 90 days): $40 USD.
• Single-Entry Fee (91+ days): $60 USD.
• Double-Entry Fee: $70 USD (useful if you plan to visit Japan or Taiwan and return to Korea).
• Processing Time: Usually 5 to 10 working days. However, during the peak May/June season, it can stretch to 14 days. It is highly recommended to apply at least 3 weeks before your flight.

Entry Conditions

• Single Entry: Most tourist visas issued are Single Entry. This means once you leave South Korea, the visa is void, even if you still had days left on your 90-day allowance.
• Duration: You are typically granted a 90-day stay, though the visa itself is usually valid for 3 months from the date of issuance. Do not apply too early (e.g., 5 months before your trip) or the visa will expire before you even take off.

A Note on the “Q-Code”

Even with a physical visa in your passport, you should still use the Q-Code system online before you land. It’s a digital health and arrival portal that generates a QR code on your phone. While you can still fill out the yellow paper forms on the plane, the QR code line at Incheon is almost always significantly faster, getting you to the luggage carousel while others are still squinting at paperwork.

When to Apply: You can fill this out starting 3 days (72 hours) before your arrival in Korea. Cost: The system is completely free. If a website asks you for a “processing fee” or credit card details to generate a QR code, you are likely on a predatory third-party site.

Pro-Tip: Once you finish the online form, take a screenshot of the QR code. Airport Wi-Fi can sometimes be temperamental right when you reach the immigration booth, and having that image saved in your gallery will save you a lot of stress.

Website: https://www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr/portal/main/index.do