Short-Stay & Entry
Definition
Visa-free entry (무비자 입국) allows citizens of specific countries to enter South Korea for short-term tourism, business, or transit without obtaining a visa in advance. The allowed stay duration varies by country, typically between 30 and 90 days.
South Korea has bilateral and unilateral visa waiver agreements with approximately 100 countries, allowing their citizens to enter without a prior visa for short stays. The specific allowed duration depends on the country: US, EU, UK, Canadian, Australian, and Japanese citizens can typically stay up to 90 days per entry. Other countries may be limited to 30 or 60 days. Visa-free entry applies only to the listed purposes (tourism, visiting family, business meetings, transit) — it does not allow employment or enrollment in formal academic programs. Visa-exempt nationals who wish to extend their stay or engage in work/study must apply for the appropriate visa through a Korean embassy or consulate, or in some cases, may be able to change status from within Korea.
Many foreigners mistakenly believe visa-free entry allows them to work or study informally in Korea. It does not. Working on a tourist entry — even for a single day — is an immigration violation that can result in deportation and a multi-year entry ban. If you plan to work, study, or stay longer than the visa-free limit, apply for the correct visa before you arrive.