Do I need a visa for South Korea from UK? This is one question British Citizens ask when contemplating the idea of visiting South Korea for one reason or another. As long as you have a valid UK passport, you don’t need a visa to come to South Korea for tourism or business purposes. This is because the UK is on the visa exemption list, so UK citizens have the luxury of spending their holidays or visiting their family and friends in the country.
The general rule for citizens of visa-exempt countries is that they must not spend more than 90 days in South Korea per visit, and they must visit as a tourist or for purposes that will not earn them financial remuneration for any work. All the visitor from the UK needs is to travel with a British passport and a return ticket.
When Do UK Citizens Need A Passport?
UK citizens need a passport if they are coming for work, study or any other purpose that will keep them in the country for longer than 90 days. The South Korean embassy will issue them a visa in London or any of their consular offices in the UK for long-term purposes.
Types of South Korea Visa For UK Citizens
Here are the types of South Korean visas for UK citizens you should know about.
Working Holiday Visa: Visitors that don’t have a work visa are not allowed to work, but the South Korean government issues a special Working Holiday Visa called an H-1 visa to UK visitors, which allows them to work on short-term employment so they can earn income even while they are on holidays. This visa is valid for 12 months, and the holder can stay in South Korea for that long.
Spouse of Korean Visa: Another national visa issued to UK citizens is a spouse visa. This one is for those who are married to Korean citizens. Also called an F-6 visa, it allows the holder to stay in Korea with their spouse.
Korean Heritage visa: Korean Heritage visa or F-4 visa is for citizens of the UK who were former citizens of South Korea or the children, parents or grandchildren of someone who was once a Korean citizen. The visa allows them to visit South Korea as often as they wish.
Family Dependents Visa: The F-3 visa is for spouses or children of UK citizens who are under 20 and unmarried. The citizens must hold a valid Korean visa.
F-2/F-5 Visa: These visas are issued to spouses or children under 18. The only condition to issue this visa is that the Spouse in Korea of the parent must be in the country on an F-5 visa.
Visiting Visa: Those who wish to visit their family in South Korea must apply for this visa. The person planning to visit must be a person with South Korean origins.
Occupation Visa: The E-7 occupation Visa is for UK residents and citizens who have signed contracts with private and public companies and organisations in South Korea. This visa is allotted by the Ministry of Justice.
Culture & Entertainment Visa: The culture and entertainment visa is called the E-6 visa.
This one is for visitors coming to work in music, sports, literature, acting or any art-related field.
There are many more visas available to UK citizens, but the ones listed above are common. If you plan to visit and stay in South Korea for a significant period of time beyond 90 days, you definitely need a visa.
South Korea Visa Requirements
To apply for a South Korean Visa, these are the requirements.
Completed Application Form: A completed application form duly filled and signed by you.
Passport: A valid passport with at least 6 months validity left and 2 unused pages on which the immigration officers in Seoul airport will place arrival and departure stamps.
Photograph: 2 recent photographs printed in colour and on a white background.
Application fee: An application fee must be paid for processing. The fee should be paid in cash at the embassy or with a postal order.
Photocopies: You must submit photocopies of all travel documents.
Additional documents may be required depending on the type of visa you apply for, but the basic ones are listed above.
Republic of Korea Electronic Travel Authorization for UK citizens
UK citizens who need an online electronic travel authorization don’t need to visit the South Korean embassy as they can apply for it online. Here are the steps to take before they can enter South Korea.
Log onto VisaHQ
Select The UK as your country
Select South Korea as your destination
Choose ETA
Fill out the form
Attach all your travel documents
Pay the processing fee
Submit for approval
Do I need a visa for South Korea from UK? You don’t if you plan to stay for 90 days or less, but you may need to apply for eta.