Thailand
Korea Visa Guide
Korean Visa Guide for Thai Citizens
Thailand is one of South Korea's EPS (Employment Permit System) partner countries, with thousands of Thai nationals working in Korean manufacturing, agriculture, and food service. Beyond EPS, Thai professionals work in E-7 roles, Thai students attend Korean universities, and Korean-Thai couples navigate the F-6 marriage visa. This guide covers every option.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed July 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
July 14, 2026
Source references
Nationality-specific issuance-manual sections covering Thailand-linked entry control, consular review, and document-routing expectations.
Visa-type issuance sections supporting the main Thailand-facing pathways, especially E-9, D-2, F-6, and E-7 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.
No K-ETA required (suspended until 31 Dec 2026)
Thai passport holders can enter Korea visa-free for up to 90 days. K-ETA is suspended through 31 December 2026. Standard tourist and short-business visits require no advance application.
Key Facts for Thailand Citizens
Visa-free stay
90 days (tourism/business)
K-ETA required?
No — suspended until 31 Dec 2026
EPS partner country?
Yes
Working Holiday eligible?
Yes (age 18–30)
Thai in Korea
~20,000 residents
Korean Embassy in Thailand
Bangkok + Consulate General in Chiang Mai
Important manual-based filing notes
These points are drawn from Korea immigration manuals and recurring filing rules that often affect higher-risk nationality pages.
HiKorea — Korean visa & residency manual: Visa-type issuance sections supporting the main study, work, and family pathways highlighted on the page.
Ministry of Justice Immigration Policy Bureau: Stay-manual sections supporting document freshness, status-change, and pending-travel cautions.
- Thai applicants should separate short-stay entry rules from long-stay visa requirements. A convenient visit route does not remove the need for full long-stay screening.
- For E-9, F-6, and D-2 filings, document freshness and clean civil-record consistency matter more than many applicants expect.
- When Korea asks for medical certificates or TB paperwork, use the required format and provider. These documents are technical and easy to invalidate.
- Once an extension or change of status is filed inside Korea, treat overseas travel as risky until the result is issued.
Best next steps
Based on common visa paths for citizens of Thailand, here are the most useful next steps.
E-9 Visa — Document Checklist
Complete printable document checklist for the South Korea E-9 visa. Check off items as you prepare your application.
Countries with Korean Visa Exemption
Check whether your nationality qualifies for visa-free entry to South Korea and how long you can stay. Full list of visa-exempt countries by region — Asia, Europe, Americas, Africa, and Oceania — with stay durations and passport type eligibility based on South Korea's Ministry of Justice immigration agreements.
Korean Visa Fee Guide 2026
Official fees charged by the Korea Immigration Service for visa issuance, extension, and status change. All amounts are in Korean Won (KRW).
Korea Visa Processing Times 2025 — 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 Thailand Citizens
Non-Professional Employment (EPS)
PopularCountry guideApply through Thailand's Department of Employment (DOE) in cooperation with HRD Korea. Must pass the EPS-TOPIK Korean language test. Eligible sectors: manufacturing, construction, agriculture, fisheries, food processing.
Skilled Worker
PopularThai professionals in hospitality, food service (Thai cuisine chefs are eligible under E-7-1), IT, and engineering can apply. Requires employer sponsorship and relevant qualifications.
Student
Study at Korean universities with growing Thai student enrollment. GKS scholarships available. Korean language programs are popular as a first step.
Short-Term Visit
Thais can enter Korea visa-free for up to 90 days — no visa application needed. K-ETA suspension through 2026 means no pre-travel registration required.
Working Holiday
Thai citizens aged 18–30 are eligible for Korea's Working Holiday visa. Apply at the Korean Embassy in Bangkok.
Marriage Migrant
Thai spouses of Korean nationals can live and work in Korea on F-6, leading to F-5 permanent residency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Thai citizens need a visa to visit Korea?
No. Thai passport holders can enter Korea visa-free for up to 90 days. K-ETA is suspended through 31 December 2026, so no pre-travel registration is needed. From 1 January 2027, this may change unless the exemption is extended.
How do Thai workers apply for EPS in Korea?
Through Thailand's Department of Employment (DOE) in cooperation with HRD Korea. Steps: (1) Pass the EPS-TOPIK Korean language test (held in Thailand); (2) Register on the Thai EPS roster via DOE; (3) Wait for employer matching; (4) Receive employment contract; (5) Apply for E-9 visa at the Korean Embassy in Bangkok.
Can Thai chefs work in Korea?
Yes. Thai cuisine chef is an eligible occupation under E-7-1. Korean restaurants and hotels with Thai food concepts actively recruit Thai chefs. You'll need a culinary qualification and your Korean employer must apply for the E-7 CVI on your behalf.
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