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South Korea Visa from India (2026) — C-3 Tourist Visa Guide

Visank Editorial20 March 2026Updated 5 April 20269 min read

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South Korea has become one of the most popular new destinations for Indian travellers, driven by K-drama, K-pop, and Seoul's rise as a cultural capital. Indian passport holders need a C-3 short-stay visa to visit, which costs around ₹3,500 and takes 7-15 working days to process.

K-ETA vs C-3 visa — what's the difference?

The K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorization) is a visa-waiver scheme available to some nationalities, but not to Indian passport holders. Indians must apply for a proper C-3 visa through the Korean Consulate in India (via VFS Korea in major cities). The K-ETA is irrelevant to Indian applicants.

C-3 visa types

  • C-3-1 General Visa — Up to 90 days, single-entry, for general tourism
  • C-3-9 Group Tourism — For approved tour operators with group bookings
  • C-3-4 Short-Term Business — For short business meetings and conferences

Documents required

  • Passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages)
  • Completed visa application form
  • One recent colour photograph (3.5x4.5 cm)
  • Flight itinerary
  • Hotel bookings
  • Bank statements last 3 months
  • ITR last 2 years, Form 16
  • Employment letter + leave approval
  • Cover letter with travel purpose
  • Travel insurance

Fees and processing

ItemAmount (INR)
Consulate fee~₹3,500
VFS service fee~₹1,400
Visank service fee₹5,500
Total via Visank₹10,400

Standard processing is 7-15 working days. Peak seasons (cherry blossom season in March-April, autumn in October-November) extend this timeline significantly.

Frequently asked questions

?Is K-ETA available for Indian passport holders?
No. The K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorization) is not available to Indian citizens. Indians must apply for a full C-3 short-stay visa through VFS Korea in India.
?How much is a South Korea visa from India?
The consulate fee for a C-3 single-entry visa is approximately ₹3,500. VFS fees add ~₹1,400. Total out-of-pocket is around ₹4,900. Through Visank with full handling: ₹10,400.
?How long does a Korea visa take?
Standard processing is 7-15 working days from VFS submission. Peak seasons (spring cherry blossom, autumn foliage) push this to 20+ days.
?Do I need travel insurance for a Korea visa?
Travel insurance is strongly recommended but not strictly mandatory. Given Korea's high medical costs, Visank includes comprehensive insurance as part of the application.
?Can I get a multi-entry Korea visa?
Multiple-entry visas (C-3-4) are available for applicants with prior Korea travel history or strong business ties. First-time applicants typically receive single-entry visas.
?What's the Korea visa success rate from India?
Korean consulates approve approximately 85-90% of Indian tourist visa applications with stable profiles and complete documentation.

Visank handles South Korea C-3 visas including VFS submission. Flat ₹5,500.

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