South Korea Visa for UAE Residents in 2024
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Do UAE Residents Need a Visa for South Korea?
The requirement of a South Korean visa for UAE residents depends on their nationality. Although UAE passport holders do not need a visa for South Korea, they must apply for a K-ETA and stay up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries can obtain a prior visa from any of the South Korean diplomatic missions if they are not eligible to apply for a K-ETA.
Citizens of specified countries do not require a visa to visit South Korea. However, the citizens of these visa-exempt countries need a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) before their departure to South Korea. Based on the applicant’s nationality, the K-ETA permits a visa-free stay for periods ranging between 30 days to 6 months.
Types of South Korean Visas Available for UAE Residents
C-3 Visa (Short-Term Visit): This visa is issued to general tourists, business visitors, family visits, or short-term medical treatment. It is valid for up to 90 days
C-4 Visa (Short-Term Employment): This visa is for individuals who intend to work in Korea for less than 90 days. The visa is typically used for temporary work such as performance artists or certain professionals offering specialized services
D-2 Visa (Student Visa): This visa is for international students enrolled in a degree program at a South Korean university
D-4 Visa (General Trainee Visa): This visa is for individuals attending non-degree courses like language study or training programs
D-8 Visa (Business Investor Visa): This visa is for foreign investors and corporate executives who have invested in South Korea and manage their business there
D-9 Visa (Trade Management Visa): This visa is for individuals involved in international trade or certain kinds of business activities in South Korea
E-1 Visa (Professor Visa): This visa is meant for foreign professors working at higher education institutions
E-2 Visa (Foreign Language Instructor Visa): This visa is designed for native speakers teaching a foreign language (mostly English) at Korean schools or language institutes
E-3 Visa (Researcher Visa): This visa is suitable for individuals conducting research in natural sciences or high-tech fields
E-4 Visa (Technological Guidance Visa): This visa is ideal for specialists providing technology and technical expertise
E-5 Visa (Specialty Occupation Visa): This visa is designed for professionals like lawyers, doctors, or other recognized experts
E-6 Visa (Culture and Entertainment Visa): This visa is issued to foreign performers, entertainers, or individuals working in the entertainment industry
E-7 Visa (Specially Designated Activities Visa): This visa is for foreign professionals in a variety of fields (e.g., IT, engineering, design)
E-9 Visa (Non-Professional Employment Visa): This visa is for workers employed in fields such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and services under South Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS)
H-1 Visa (Working Holiday Visa): This visa is for young people from countries with reciprocal agreements, allowing them to work temporarily while on holiday in South Korea
F-1 Visa (Visiting Family or Private Affairs): This visa is suitable for those visiting relatives or attending to personal matters in South Korea
F-2 Visa (Resident Visa): This visa is for spouses of Korean citizens or permanent residents and long-term foreign residents
F-3 Visa (Dependent Family Visa): This visa is for family members of those holding certain long-term visas (e.g., E, D, or F visas)
F-4 Visa (Overseas Korean Visa): This visa is for individuals of Korean descent who hold foreign citizenship but want to live or work in South Korea
F-5 Visa (Permanent Residency): This visa is for foreigners who have lived in Korea for a long time, often after having an F-2 or F-4 visa.
G-1 Visa (Miscellaneous Visa): This visa is ideal for individuals with specific circumstances like medical treatment, legal proceedings, or victims of human trafficking
H-2 Visa (Work & Visit Visa): This visa is designed for ethnic Koreans with foreign citizenship from certain countries (like China), allowing them to visit family or take up some temporary work
South Korea Visa Requirements for UAE Residents
Completed and signed visa application form with correct details
Passport with a validity of at least six months beyond the intended period of stay in South Korea. The passport should have at least two blank pages
Two passport-sized color photographs with a white background
UAE residence visa with a validity of at least six months from the date of departure
A copy of the Emirates ID
Recent bank statements as proof of financial means to cover the cost of stay in South Korea
Hotel reservation or an invitation letter from a local host as proof of accommodation in South Korea
Travel itinerary along with round-trip flight reservation
A letter from the employer to validate the applicant’s employment status, position, and salary. Self-employed individuals can provide business registration documents
How to Get a South Korean Visa for UAE Residents?
The step-by-step procedure for UAE residents to apply for and obtain a South Korean visa is as follows:
Check whether your nationality qualifies for a visa exemption. Some UAE residents may not need a visa for short stays in South Korea. If you cannot claim a visa exemption, then determine the type of visa required based on the purpose of your travel
Gather all the requisite documents as listed in the previous section. Check whether they are up-to-date and meet the Korean embassy’s criteria
Schedule an appointment with the Korean embassy at a convenient date and time
Attend the visa interview at the embassy on the scheduled date and time along with the supporting documents. After submitting the visa application, you can also complete the biometric process and pay the visa fee at the designated counter
Wait for the visa processing and approval. This process may take around 14 business days. You can check the visa status online for the latest updates
The contact details of the Korean Embassy/Consulate in the UAE are given below:
Embassy of the Republic of Korea in UAE (Abu Dhabi):
Location: Plot No. 48, Sector W-16, Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi
Phone: +971 2 641 2292
Consulate General of Korea (Dubai):
Location: Bur Dubai, Al Raffa Street, Dubai
Phone: +971 4 345 5565
How Much Does a South Korean Visa Cost and What is its Validity?
| Visa Type | Cost (USD) | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Entry Visa (up to 90 days) | 40 | 150 |
| Single-Entry Visa (more than 90 days) | 60 | 220 |
| Multiple-Entry Visa | 90 | 330 |
Note: The visa application fee is not refundable irrespective of whether the application is approved or rejected.
A single-entry tourist visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue and allows visitors to stay for up to 30 days. A multiple-entry visa may have a validity of one year or five years.
South Korea Visa On Arrival for UAE Residents
South Korea does not offer a visa on arrival for UAE residents. However, UAE citizens can visit South Korea for short stays of up to 90 days without a visa for tourism, business, or other short-term activities.
If you are a resident of the UAE but do not hold a UAE passport, you may be required to apply for a visa before traveling to South Korea, depending on your nationality.
How to Check the South Korean Visa Status Online?
Visit the official South Korea visa portal. Switch the language to ‘English’ by choosing the option available in the top right-hand corner of the homepage
Navigate to the ‘Check Application Status’ and click on the ‘Check Application Status & Print’ option
Enter the details of your name, application reference number, and the passport number
Click the ‘Submit’ button to view the status of your visa application
Frequently Asked Questions about South Korean Visa for UAE Residents
No. Only UAE citizens can travel visa-free to South Korea for short stays of up to 90 days. Other UAE residents may need a visa to enter South Korea (based on their nationality).
The processing time depends on the visa type, the applicant’s nationality, and the volume of applications received by the embassy. However, it may take around 10-15 days to get a South Korean visa in the UAE.
The general perception is that it is not very easy to get a visa to visit South Korea due to stringent visa requirements and an elaborate application process. So applicants are advised to pay attention to the details and apply well in advance of their intended travel date.
No. South Korea does not offer a visa-on-arrival facility. UAE residents who are not eligible for visa-free entry must apply for a visa before they travel to South Korea.
The following documents are required for UAE residents to travel to South Korea:
- Completed visa application form
- Passport-sized photos
- Passport with a validity of at least 6 months
- UAE residence visa with a validity of at least 6 months
- Proof of accommodation in South Korea (e.g., hotel bookings)
- Proof of financial means (e.g., bank statements)
- Travel itinerary with round-trip flight tickets
- A cover letter explaining the purpose of the visit
- A letter from the employer (if the applicant is employed) or a business registration certificate (if the applicant is self-employed)
The cost of a single-entry tourist visa to South Korea from Dubai is around AED 150.
The minimum bank balance for a South Korean visa depends on the applicant’s nationality. However, visitors from the UAE typically need a balance of at least AED 30,000 to get a visa to South Korea.
The visa processing time is dependent on several factors. However, it may take up to 15 days to get a South Korean visa.
