Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Houston

• ●Foreign nationals who wish to enter the Republic of Korea must hold a valid visa.

  A visa is a basic requirement for entry, and in principle, foreign nationals wishing to enter Korea must possess one. However, those who qualify under VISA FREE ENTRY (VISA WAIVER) may enter Korea without a visa. Please use the Visa Navigator to determine the visa category most appropriate for your travel purpose. For more detailed information, please refer to the official guidelines available at the KOREA VISA PORTAL.

• ●K-ETA Exemption for U.S. Citizens

  A U.S. citizen with a valid passport can visit the Republic of Korea from April 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024, exempt from K-ETA.

  Extended K-ETA temporary exemption period: January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025

• ○For detailed information on a foreigner's entry with K-ETA, please click here.

• ○Resumption of 'Tourists in Transit' (B2), please click here.

• ●Consular Jurisdiction

  If you are a resident of one of the following states — Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas (except Dallas and Fort Worth) — please submit your application to our office.

  Please click here to find your jurisdiction’s Korean Consulate General.

• ●How to Submit Your Visa Application

  You may either submit your visa application in-person at our office during normal business hours or you may submit your application by mail.

• ○In-person submission: By online appointment only, please click here

• ○By Mail: The consulate is not responsible for any items delayed or lost in the mail. You may be asked to submit additional documents, please ensure that you apply with plenty of time.

• ●Visa Application Requirements

  When applying for a visa, please submit the general requirements below, along with the additional required documents applicable to your visa type.
  Additional documents may be requested during the review process if necessary.
  Applications will be returned if all required documents for visa issuance are not submitted.
  

• ●Processing Time

  Normally, it takes 2 weeks to process a visa after the application is submitted.
  Please be advised that the submission of a flight ticket does not guarantee visa issuance prior to the intended departure date.

• ●Check Application Status

  To check application status online, please visit the Korea Visa Portal at www.visa.go.kr, select ‘Diplomatic Office’ as the type of application, and enter your passport number, your name in English as it appears on your passport, and your date of birth.

  We do not provide application status updates by phone.

• ●Visa Grant Notice

  Visa stickers are no longer issued in your passport. The visa grant notice (letter-size paper issued to you with the return of your passport) is your visa that you must bring for entry to Korea.

General Requirements

Please submit the general requirements together with the additional required documents applicable to your visa type.

1. Visa Application

Please complete and print the e-form (with a barcode) from the Korea Visa Portal and provide your signature.

• ●If you have Visa issuance confirmation, please use Visa Application Form with Visa issuance confirmation. To Dowonload Visa Application Form, please click here.

• ●Failure to provide name and signature may result in your application being denied.

2. Passport

You have to submit an original and signed passport valid for more than 6 months.

3. One Passport photo

A color, passport-size photo taken within the last six months is required.

• ●Please glue the photo on the application form.

• ●Printed photographs are not accepted

• ●When the e-form is completed on the Korea Visa Portal and printed in color, this item is not required.

4. Visa Application Fee

Cash or Money Order Only; Make Money Order Payable to "Korean Consulate General"

• ●Visa Fees may vary based on the country of citizenship and its agreements with the Republic of Korea.

  *Some restrictions may apply. Please check for multiple entry visa eligibility.

• ●For the U.S. citizens, regardless of the visa type and length of stay: $45 USD

• ●Non U.S. citizens' Fees vary based on reciprocity.

• ●Please check with www.visa.go.kr for the exact amount.

• ●Single entry visa for a stay of no more than 90 days: US$30 - US$130

• 1.Canadian, Chinese, Indian applying for C-3: US$40

• 2.Vietnamese applying for C-3: US$20

• 3.Filipino applying for C-3: free (only in case of 59 days or less)

• 4.Mongolian applying for C-3: free

• ●Single entry visa for a stay of more than 90 days: US$50 - US$200

• ●Multiple entry visa: US$60 - US$250

5. If you are non-U.S. Citizen, please submit the following:

• ●Proof of Residency : To download Proof of Residency form, click here

  If you apply by mail, notarization is required

• ●A photocopy of the Passport's Information/Photo Page(s)

• ●Depending on your U.S. immigration status, you must submit the appropriate supporting documents: An original and photocopy of permanent residency card (Front & Back), or a valid U.S. visa and I-94. In addition, F or M visa holders must submit Form I-20, and J visa holders must submit Form DS-2019.

  If you apply by mail, notarization is required. Do not mail your original Permanent Residency Card; instead, a notarized copy is required.

6. Pre-paid and self-addressed Envelope

If you are requesting that your passport with the visa be mailed back to you, please enclose the prepaid, self-addressed envelope with a tracking number provided by U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail.

The Consulate is not responsible for lost mail.
Mailing Address:
KOREAN CONSULATE GENERAL VISA DEPT.
1990 POST OAK BLVD SUITE 1250, HOUSTON, TX 77056
(713) 961-0186
            

Additional Required Documents by Visa Type

Items subject to change depending on individual circumstances

C-3-1 VISA For Short-Term General (Must not be for profit)

You are eligible to apply if you are participating in friendly sports-match, events or conference.

• ●Documents proving purpose of stay ; Invitation, etc

C-3-4 VISA For Short-Term Business

You are eligible to apply if you are seeking for short-term stay for the purpose of market research, business meetings, consultation, signing a contract.

• ●Proof of employment (like original company letter) indicating:

• 1.the specific purpose or nature of the trip

• 2.intended period of stay with approximate entry and exit dates

• 3.contact in Korea and their complete address and telephone number

• ●Invitation letter from the inviting company

• ●A copy of Certificate of Business registration from inviting company

• ●Submit at least 2 years of most recent I-94 history

C-3-9 VISA For Tourist

You are eligible to apply if you intend to visit for the purpose of holidays or leisure.

• ●Round-trip flight ticket, Accommodation reservation confirmation and recent 1 Month's Bank statement or Paystub

• ●Or, recent 3 Months' bank statements or paystubs

C-4 VISA For Short-Term Employment

You are eligible to apply if you plan to visit for a short-term employment such as a temporary show, advertising, modeling, lecturing, speeching, research, technology consulting, etc.

Even though you don't get paid by a Korean company, if you get paid by a US company and your purpose of visiting is working, then you have to obtain a C-4 visa. Submit at least 2 years of most recent I-94 history.