Vietnam
Korea Visa Guide
Vietnam and South Korea have one of Asia's most dynamic bilateral relationships — Korea is Vietnam's largest foreign investor, and Vietnamese nationals form one of the largest foreign communities in Korea with over 200,000 residents. Vietnamese workers are the largest single nationality group in Korea's E-9 Employment Permit System.
Visa required for all stays
Vietnamese 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 Hanoi or the Korean Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City before travelling.
Visa-free stay
Not applicable — visa required
K-ETA eligible?
No — full visa required
EPS status
Largest E-9 source country
E-7-4 quota (2025)
35,000 positions (expanded)
Vietnamese in Korea
200,000+ residents
Korean Embassy in Vietnam
Hanoi + Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City
Non-professional Employment (EPS)
PopularVietnam is the largest single source country for Korea's EPS program. Manufacturing, construction, agriculture, fisheries, and service sectors. Pass the EPS-TOPIK and join the roster through DOLAB (Vietnam's overseas labor agency).
Marriage Migrant
PopularVietnamese-Korean marriages are one of the most common international marriage combinations in Korea. F-6 for Vietnamese spouses of Korean nationals; leads to F-5 after 2 years.
Skilled Worker
PopularVietnamese IT engineers, software developers, and business professionals are increasingly hired by Korean tech and manufacturing companies. Strong demand in electronics and automotive sectors.
Skilled Worker Transition
A pathway for E-9 workers advancing to skilled roles. Korea expanded this category to 35,000 positions in 2025 — highly relevant for long-term Vietnamese workers in Korea.
Short-term Visit
Short-term visits require a visa. Apply at the Korean Embassy in Hanoi or the Korean Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Typically 5–7 business days processing.
Student
Vietnamese students form one of the largest international student groups in Korea. Many attend on GKS scholarships or through Korean language programs (D-4).
Do Vietnamese citizens need a visa for South Korea?
Yes. Vietnamese general passport holders must apply for a visa at the Korean Embassy in Hanoi or the Korean Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. There is no visa-free arrangement for general passports.
How do Vietnamese EPS workers apply to go to Korea?
Through DOLAB (Department of Overseas Labour of Vietnam). The process: pass the EPS-TOPIK Korean language test, register on the EPS roster maintained by DOLAB and HRD Korea, wait for employer matching, and receive your E-9 visa once matched. Total time: 6 months to 2 years.
Can I visit Korea as a Vietnamese tourist?
Yes, but you need a C-3 tourist visa. Apply at the Korean Embassy in Hanoi or the Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. Processing typically takes 5–7 business days.
What is the E-7-4 pathway for Vietnamese workers?
E-7-4 is a skilled worker visa for E-9 holders who have worked in Korea and gained skills. Korea expanded the E-7-4 quota to 35,000 positions in 2025 (up from ~2,000). Vietnamese workers who qualify can transition to a higher-status work visa and eventually apply for F-2-7 long-term residency.
How many Vietnamese people live in South Korea?
Over 200,000 Vietnamese nationals are estimated to reside in Korea, making Vietnam one of the top source countries. The community is concentrated in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do, and industrial cities like Ulsan, Changwon, and Ansan.
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