C-3-2 (Group Tourism) Korea Visa Guide | 2026

1. What C-3-2 Is

C-3-2 covers guaranteed individual and group tourism where the handling travel agency takes responsibility should the permitted stay be exceeded, and it also covers entry for small-scale trading activity at airports and ports. Ordinary individual tourists who are not travelling under such an arrangement fall under C-3-9 instead — the manual defines C-3-9 precisely as general tourists NOT included in C-3-2.

2. Eligibility Checklist

• Travelling on agency-organised tourism where the agency guarantees responsibility for overstay, whether as a group or as a guaranteed individual booking.
• Alternatively, entering for small-scale trading activity at an airport or port.
• The handling agency is willing and able to stand behind that guarantee — it is the agency's undertaking that distinguishes this code.
• Intended stay is within the short-term visit scope and does not involve employment.
• No unresolved immigration compliance history that materially raises short-stay risk.

3. Criteria Summary

• C-3-2 is not a points-based category.
• Review is purpose-credibility based with emphasis on document consistency.
• Category mismatch (using C-3-2 for activities outside scope) is a common refusal driver.
• Always verify current C-3 subtype boundaries before applying.

4. Salary and Contract Rules

• C-3-2 is a short-stay visit status and does not use E-series salary-threshold logic.
• Activity involving ordinary employment generally requires a proper work-authorized status.
• Where contracts or invitations are filed, they must reflect limited short-term permitted activity.
• Ambiguous compensation or role definitions often trigger deeper scrutiny.

5. Employer and Workplace Change Rules

• C-3-2 is not a standard employer-sponsored work visa.
• Activity is tied to declared temporary purpose and supporting host/sponsor documentation.
• Material scope changes after issuance can require re-evaluation by authorities.
• Repeated short-stay patterns may be reviewed for de facto long-stay/work intent.

6. Required Documents

• Application form + passport + photo + applicable fee proof.
• Purpose-specific documents proving C-3-2 short-stay eligibility.
• Travel itinerary and return/onward evidence.
• Financial support evidence for stay period.
• Any additional mission-specific supporting documents requested.

7. Fees and Processing

• C-3 issuance fees follow official short-stay visa schedules.
• Processing time varies by mission workload and applicant risk profile.
• Purpose-document ambiguity commonly causes supplement requests.
• Apply with adequate lead time before departure.

8. Common Rejection Reasons

• Purpose does not clearly fit C-3-2 allowable scope.
• Supporting documents are inconsistent, weak, or unverifiable.
• Financial/return-intent proof is insufficient for case profile.
• Application appears to pursue activities requiring a different status.
• Filed using outdated C-3 subtype assumptions after guidance updates.

9. FAQ