India
Korea Visa Guide
Korean Visa Guide for Indian Citizens
India and South Korea have deep economic ties — Korea is one of India's largest investors, and Indian IT and engineering professionals are in high demand at Korean companies. Indian nationals must apply for a visa before travel to Korea. This guide covers all options: from tourist visits and study to long-term work and permanent residency.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed September 2026
Review & source basis
Reviewed against
James Chae, 행정사 (Korean Licensed Administrative Attorney). License No. 220-06-06463 · 대한행정사회 (Korean Administrative Agents Association). Reviewed against the HiKorea 사증·체류업무 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 and cross-checked with Ministry of Justice issuances.
Last reviewed
September 4, 2026
Source references
Nationality-specific issuance-manual sections covering India-linked consular handling, visa-required entry, and document review expectations.
Visa-type issuance sections supporting the main India-facing pathways, especially E-7, D-2, D-8, and F-6 routes.
Filing caution
Requirements can change by nationality, local immigration office, and filing channel. Confirm exact requirements with HiKorea, the responsible Korean consulate, or a licensed immigration specialist before filing.
Visa required for all stays
Indian general passport holders do not have a visa-free agreement with South Korea and are not eligible for K-ETA. A visa must be obtained at the Korean Embassy in New Delhi or Korean Consulates in Chennai, Kolkata, or Mumbai before travelling, regardless of purpose or duration.
Key Facts for India Citizens
Visa-free stay
Not applicable — visa required
K-ETA eligible?
No — full visa required
E-9 eligible?
No — India is not an EPS partner country
E-7-4 quota (2026)
33,000 positions
Scholarship program
GKS (Global Korea Scholarship)
Indian Embassy in Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Important manual-based filing notes
These points are drawn from Korea immigration manuals and recurring filing rules that often affect higher-risk nationality pages.
Korea Immigration Service (출입국·외국인정책본부): Nationality-specific issuance tables on visa-required entry handling, consular routing, and country-level document rules.
Ministry of Justice Immigration Policy Bureau: Stay-manual sections supporting document-validity, passport-validity, and pending-travel cautions.
- Indian passport holders should plan around full pre-travel visa issuance for short and long stays. K-ETA is not the route here.
- India is not an Employment Permit System (EPS) partner country, so the E-9 route is not open to Indian citizens.
- For E-7, D-2, and business-related filings, immigration review is much easier when degrees, bank records, and civil documents are recent, internally consistent, and properly apostilled.
- Your granted stay period can be shortened by passport validity. If the passport is close to expiry, renew it early instead of assuming immigration will give the full requested stay.
Best next steps
Based on common visa paths for citizens of India, here are the most useful next steps.
E-7 Visa — Document Checklist
Complete printable document checklist for the South Korea E-7 visa. Check off items as you prepare your application.
Korean Visa Fee Guide 2026
Official fees for Korean visa issuance, extension, and status change. Visa fees charged at Korean embassies abroad are set in US dollars and paid in local currency; fees paid in Korea are in Korean Won (KRW).
Korea Visa Processing Times 2026 — How Long Does Each Visa Type Take?
Real-world Korean visa processing times by visa type — D-4, E-7, F-5, E-9 and more. Compare official estimates vs. practical wait times, understand document bottlenecks, and learn how to avoid delays.
Korean Visa Options for India Citizens
Skilled Worker
PopularCountry guideThe primary work visa for Indian professionals. IT engineers, software developers, data scientists, and semiconductor specialists are in strong demand at Samsung, LG, Hyundai, SK, and Korean startups.
Non-Professional Employment (EPS)
Not available to Indian citizens. The E-9 visa is open only to nationals of the 17 EPS partner countries, and India is not one of them.
Skilled Worker Transition
A points-based route (K-Point E74) for workers already in Korea on E-9, E-10 or H-2 status. It is not a way to enter Korea directly, and because E-9 is not open to Indian citizens it rarely applies to them. The 2026 quota is 33,000.
Short-term Business / Tourism
For Indian nationals visiting Korea for up to 90 days. Apply at the Korean Embassy in New Delhi or Consulates in Chennai, Kolkata, or Mumbai.
Student (Degree)
Study at Korean universities. The GKS (Global Korea Scholarship) provides full funding including tuition, living allowance, and language training for Indian graduate students.
Points-based Residency
After 1+ year on E-7 with 80+ K-Points, Indian professionals can apply for long-term residency. TOPIK score, income, and education all contribute to the score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Indian citizens need a visa for South Korea?
Yes. Indian general passport holders must apply for a visa at the Korean Embassy in New Delhi or Korean Consulates (Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai) before travelling. Diplomatic and official passport holders may have exemptions.
How can an Indian IT engineer get a work visa for Korea?
The E-7 (Specific Activities) visa is the standard path. You need a job offer from a Korean company, a relevant degree (bachelor's or higher), and usually 2+ years of work experience. Processing takes 4–8 weeks after the job offer.
Can Indian citizens apply for the E-9 (EPS) visa?
No. The E-9 visa is issued only to nationals of the 17 countries that have an Employment Permit System (EPS) agreement with Korea: Thailand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Cambodia, China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan, Timor-Leste, Laos and Tajikistan. India is not on that list. Professionals with a Korean job offer can look at the E-7 visa instead.
Is the GKS scholarship available for Indian students?
Yes. GKS (formerly KGSP) provides full scholarships — tuition, monthly stipend, and Korean language training — for Indian undergraduate and graduate students. Apply through the Indian Embassy in Seoul or directly to Korean universities.
Can an Indian national get permanent residency in Korea?
Yes. The most common path for Indian professionals is E-7 → F-2-7 (after accumulating 80+ K-Points) → F-5 after 2 years on F-2-7. Total minimum: approximately 3–5 years of qualifying work.
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