Turkey
Korea Visa Guide
Korean Visa Guide for Turkish Citizens
Turkey is not one of Korea's 17 EPS (Employment Permit System) partner countries, so the E-9 manufacturing worker route is not open to Turkish citizens. Turkish citizens also enjoy 90-day visa-free entry to Korea. Turkey's growing IT and engineering talent pool has created interest in E-7 professional routes, and Korean-Turkish couples contribute to steady F-6 applications. Korea's popularity among Turkish students has also risen significantly with the Korean Wave.
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-table sections covering Turkey's visa-exempt entry treatment, K-ETA requirement, and consular routing notes.
Visa-type issuance sections supporting the main Turkey-facing pathways, especially D-2, E-7, 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.
K-ETA required before departure
Turkish passport holders can enter Korea visa-free for up to 90 days under the bilateral visa waiver agreement. K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorization) must be applied for online before boarding. Apply at least 72 hours before your flight at the official K-ETA website. K-ETA is valid for 3 years (multiple entries) or until passport expiry, whichever is first.
Key Facts for Turkey Citizens
Visa-free stay
90 days (tourism/business)
K-ETA required?
Yes — apply before departure
EPS partner country?
No
E-2 treaty country?
No
Working Holiday eligible?
Possibly — confirm with Korean Embassy Ankara
Korean Embassy
Ankara + Consulate in Istanbul
Best next steps
Based on common visa paths for citizens of Turkey, here are the most useful next steps.
D-2 Visa — Document Checklist
Complete printable document checklist for the South Korea D-2 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 Turkey Citizens
EPS Worker
Not available to Turkish citizens. The E-9 visa is open only to nationals of the 17 EPS partner countries, and Turkey is not one of them.
Student
PopularStudy at a Korean university or language institute. GKS scholarships are available for Turkish students. Many universities have active exchange agreements with Turkish institutions.
Skilled Worker
Turkish engineers, IT professionals, and specialists with a Korean job offer can apply for E-7. Turkey's engineering and IT sectors have growing overlap with Korean industrial interests.
Marriage Migrant
Married to a Korean national? F-6 provides unrestricted work rights and a path to F-5 permanent residency after meeting income, language, and cohabitation requirements.
Working Holiday
Turkish citizens aged 18–30 may be eligible for H-1 Working Holiday if a bilateral agreement is in effect. Confirm current quota status with the Korean Embassy in Ankara.
Job Seeker / Startup
Already in Korea on valid status and looking for professional work or exploring a business idea? D-10 gives you 6 months to pursue opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Turkish 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. Turkey is not on that list. Professionals with a Korean job offer can look at the E-7 visa instead.
Are Turkish degrees recognised for E-7 visa applications in Korea?
Yes. Turkish degrees from accredited universities are recognised for E-7 applications. The degree must be: ① authenticated/apostilled (Turkey is a Hague Convention member — apostille through the Notary Public or the relevant Ministry) ② accompanied by a certified Korean or English translation ③ relevant to the occupation code being applied for. Turkish engineering, computer science, and business degrees from top universities (METU, Boğaziçi, Bilkent, Istanbul Technical) are well-regarded. Some Korean employers may request a credential evaluation, but this is not always required.
Is there a Korean community in Turkey?
Yes, though relatively small. Around 2,000–3,000 Korean nationals live in Turkey, primarily in Istanbul and Ankara, working in trade, manufacturing, and diplomacy. Korean companies (Hyundai, LG, Samsung) have operations in Turkey. This creates a small but active bilingual professional community — Turks who speak Korean are highly sought after for liaison, translation, and business development roles at Korean companies in Turkey or for E-7 roles in Korea.
Can Turkish students work part-time in Korea on D-2?
Yes. D-2 students at accredited Korean universities can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and unlimited hours during official vacation periods, after obtaining a part-time work permit from immigration. Language school students (D-4) are limited to 10 hours per week. Part-time work is common among Turkish students as a way to improve Korean, build local experience, and offset living costs. GKS scholarship recipients who receive living stipends may have additional restrictions — check your scholarship terms.
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