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 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 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.
K-ETA required before departure
Thai passport holders can enter Korea visa-free for up to 90 days, but must hold an approved K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) before boarding. Apply online at the official K-ETA site (k-eta.go.kr). Thailand is not among the 22 countries and regions temporarily exempt from K-ETA through 31 December 2026.
Key Facts for Thailand Citizens
Visa-free stay
90 days (tourism/business)
K-ETA required?
Yes — apply before departure
EPS partner country?
Yes
Working Holiday eligible?
No — no working holiday agreement with Korea
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
Countries with a visa-exemption agreement with South Korea, by region — Asia, Europe, Americas, Africa, and Oceania — with stay durations and passport types, from the Ministry of Justice agreement table. Many other nationalities, including the US, Canada, Japan and Australia, can also enter visa-free under Korea's separate visa-waiver list, and most visa-free visitors need a K-ETA.
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 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 with an approved K-ETA. Apply for K-ETA online before departure; no visa application is needed.
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 visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days, but an approved K-ETA is. Thai passport holders must apply for K-ETA online (k-eta.go.kr) before departure. The temporary K-ETA exemption that runs through 31 December 2026 covers 22 countries and regions, and Thailand is not one of them.
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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