Basic Travel Requirements for Nigerians visiting
South Korea
Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to
apply for a South Korean Visa.
- A passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended travel date with 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
- Copy of the first page of the passport.
- Two signed application forms filled in English and Korea.
- Passport-size photograph(35mm x 45mm) taken on white background.
- Invitation letter, if visiting friends and relatives in South Korea.
- Recent bank statement to confirm financial capability.
- Certificate of employment, if employed.
- Proof of accommodation.
- Copy of round trip ticket.
- Health insurance for the duration of stay.
- Consular fee.
- Trip itinerary.
South Korea Visa for Nigerians
Facts about South Korea
South Korea has gained popularity among tourist due to what is known as the “Korean Wave”. The Korean Wave is a combination of South Korean pop music and television dramas. This has encouraged direct foreign investment into the country. South Korea is an attractive country which is rich in culture, ancient history, and landmarks which are popular attractions with tourists. Some of these include; the peaks of Baekdudaegan, the caves of Danyang and Hwanseongul, and beaches such as Haeundae and Mallipo. There are also annual festivals which tourists can take part in for their pleasure. Tourists are sure to enjoy every minute of their time in the country.
Since the emergence of the “Korean Wave”, the number of foreign tourists that visit the country has steadily been on the rise. This has greatly increased the investment in South Korea and the government expects the number of tourists to increase for years to come. In2017, over 13 million foreign tourists visited the country, making South Korea one of the most visited countries in Asia.
Types of South Korea Visa
| Types of Visa | Processing Time | Duration of Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa | 10 working days | 90 days |
| Business visa | 10 working days | 90 days |
| Student visa | 10 working days | 90 days |
General Requirements for South Korea Visa
- A passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended travel date with 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
- Copy of the first page of the passport.
- Two signed application forms filled in English and Korea.
- Passport-size photograph(35mm x 45mm) taken on white background.
- Invitation letter, if visiting friends and relatives in South Korea.
- Recent bank statement to confirm financial capability.
- Certificate of employment, if employed.
- Proof of accommodation.
- Copy of round trip ticket.
- Health insurance for the duration of stay.
- Consular fee.
- Trip itinerary.
South Korea Tourist Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- South Korea tourist visa is available to foreign nationals for the purpose of sight-seeing, attending ceremonies or cultural events and visiting friends and family.
- The application form submitted must be two copies, filled out in English and Korean.
- If you are travelling to visit friends and family, an invitation letter from your South Korean host should be provided.
- The letter should state the duration of your trip, the relationship between the applicant and the host and the contact address of the host in South Korea.
- Photocopy of the first page of the applicant’s passport would be required when paying the application fee. All fees should be paid over the counter at the application centers.
- Only the Naira denomination of 500 and above is accepted.
- A hotel reservation from an accredited travel agency is required for tourists who will be staying in a hotel or tourism center.
- Employed applicants are to submit a certificate of employment indicating the applicant’s position at the office, salary and leave permission.
- A financial statement of the applicant or the South Korean host is required. The statement should be provided by the individual that will fund the trip.
- South Korean tourist visas are usually issued as short term single-entry (valid for 90 days), long term single-entry (valid for above 91 days), double-entry (stay period of 30 days).
- The consular fee for the visa application varies based on the number of entries and should be paid before application processing can be carried out.
- For all South Korean visa application, a service fee of 7,000 NGN should be paid alongside the visa fee.
- The consul reserves the right to refuse an applicant a visa and the decision is irreversible. In the case that a visa is refused, the visa fees will not be refunded.
- After your visa has been issued, applicants are to attach a trip itinerary which explains the purpose of the visit and confirms that you have an accredited tour guide.
- It is important for first-time travelers to note that littering in South Korea attracts a fine of 1 million won.
- Overstaying your visa also will attract a fine.
South Korea Business Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- Business visa grants business-minded foreigners an uninterrupted stay in South Korea while their visa is valid.
- It allows the individual to participate in business meetings, attend conferences, trade fairs and summits.
- A South Korean business visa can be Single-entry, Double-entry or Multiple-entry.
- The Single-entry visa is valid for 90 days, Double-entry visa allows a stay period of 30 days but is valid for 6 months and the Multiple-entry is valid for 1/3/5 years but only allows a 30 day stay.
- Multiple-entry visas are subjected to approval on an individual case basis. It is issued depending on the remaining validity of the applicant’s passport.
- If the Consul finds the applicant ineligible for a multiple-entry visa, a single-entry visa would be issued and in such cases, the difference in visa fee will not be refunded.
- The single-entry visa grants one entry into the country, Double-entry grants 2 entries and Multiple-entry allows several entries within the validity of the visa.
- If you submit an application and cancel it on the same day, the visa fee would be refundable but non-transferable.
- All applications should be filled out completely and submitted in person at the embassy.
- Documents provided should be either in English or Korea.
- An invitation letter from a South Korean company is required for applicants who are attending a business meeting or event.
- In the case of an event, a program of the event would be required.
- A financial statement or letter from a sponsor should be submitted.
- A letter from your Nigerian employer written on the company’s letterhead, stating the awareness and allowance of your business leave.
- An invitation letter and guarantee letter from the company in South Korea should be provided. The invitation letter should carry the company’s address, type of business to be conducted and duration of the trip.
- The guarantee letter is required as proof that the company will take responsibility for any criminal act committed during your trip.
- Proof of previous dealings with the South Korean company should be presented, if applicable.
South Korea Student Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- Individuals who want to take up some form of study in South Korea are eligible for this visa.
- South Korean student visa is called a D-visa.
- If you plan to study for more than 3 months then you can apply for a C-3 visa which is called a tourist visa.
- However, if your course of study is longer than one semester than you are to obtain a D-4 visa which allows you to stay in South Korea for the duration of your study.
- D-2 visa is a long-term student visa issued to all who intend to study at any level in a Korean educational institution.
- A D-4 visa is a short-term student visa and is granted for the purpose of interning in South Korea or learning a language.
- Holders of a student visa can apply to take up a part-time job after studying in Korea for six months.
- If you will be studying for up to a year, you are required to present a bank statement showing a minimum balance of $10,000.
- Applicant’s on scholarship are to present a scholarship certificate as proof.
- A health insurance certificate that will be valid for the duration of the trip and issued by a renowned insurance company is required.
- Notarized photocopy of certificates of previously acquired degrees should also be submitted.
- An acceptance letter from the institution in South Korea as proof of enrollment.
- Tuition fees are to be paid in part or full before visa application processing.
- Applicants with criminal records might be refused a visa.
South Korea Visa Fees
Tourist visa
short term single-entry
long term single-entry
double-entry
44.00 (USD)
66.00 (USD)
77.00 (USD)
Business visa
single-entry
double-entry
multiple-entry
44.00 (USD)
77.00 (USD)
99.00 (USD)
Student visa
short term
long-term
44.00 (USD)
66.00 (USD)
South Korea Visa Application Centres & Embassies in
Nigeria
Abuja
Republic of Korea Visa Application Centre Sterling Bank Plaza, 3rd Floor, Plot 1083 Mohammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja.
Lagos
Plot 10 A&B Layi Ajayi Bembe Street , Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.