Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Permanent Mission to the International Maritime Organization

Opening of the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) in London

Starting from January 17, 2022, the Government of the Republic of Korea will open the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) in London, managed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to manage the Korean visa applications submitted by UK nationals and third country nationals regularly residing in the UK.

Kindly find below the contacts of the KVAC :

*Kindly note that due to the current COVID-19 situations, the KVAC will receive applications only via post, until further notice.

Following the opening of the KVAC, the ROK Embassy in London will not receive any visa application, effective January 17, 2022. 

In London, the KVAC will act on behalf of the ROK Embassy in London, performing the following tasks :

• ●Information provision through the dedicated website, via email, and phone calls

• ●Completeness and accuracy checks for the visa application supporting documents

• ●Passport logistics.

1. K-ETA(Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)

• ●K-ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is mandatory for nationals or citizens of 66 visa-waiver countries and 46 designated visa-free countries who plan to travel to Korea. However, due to the covid-19, from 1 Sep 2021, only nationals of 49 countries/regions can apply for K-ETA. Please visit this link for more information.

• ●Website : www.k-eta.go.kr 

2. General Information (A1/A2 only, Please contact KVAC for all other visa application)

• ●British passport holders do not require a Visa for the entry purpose of a short term visit (e.g., tours, visiting relatives or friends, attending non-profitable meetings) up to 90 days.

• ●You can ONLY apply for A1(Diplomacy)·A2(Official) at the Embassy in London.

• ●You can ONLY apply for a visa by post in the UK. (Address : A1·A2 Visa service Embassy of the Republic of Korea 60 Buckingham Gate London SW1E 6AJ)

• ●Please do not send your application by post before contact Embassy (A1/A2 only). 

• ●You can ONLY collect a visa in person from 10AM till 12PM (Monday to Friday, Close on holidays)

• ●Please be informed that it takes about 2 weeks to issue visa.

• ●Please apply for a visa no more than two months in advance from the planned date of entry into South Korea.

• ●If you are not a British National, you have to hold more than two years residential Visa in UK to apply for a Visa through us. (Make a photocopy of your UK visa and submit it with your application)

• ●We will be holding your passport during the visa process.

• ●Please type or print clearly when you fill out the Visa application form AND DO NOT FORGET TO SIGN AT THE BOTTOM.

• ●If you are requesting a Visa by post, please be sure to enclose a self-addressed envelope marked with the correct postage to receive your Visa(s). Please do not use a franking service envelope or do not put a prepaid sticker which has expired or issued date on your envelope.

• ●You will need at least 6 months validity on the passport to apply for a visa

3. General Required Documents for Visa Application (A1/A2 only, Please contact KVAC for all other visa application)

• ●Regardless of your Visa status, these items have to be submitted in order to obtain a Visa.

• ●We can require more documents if needed.

• ●A valid passport

• ●A completed Visa application  (Visa Application Form General)

• ●A recent passport photo (3.5 x 4.5cm, colour photo)

• ●Fee : Visa fee is waived

• ●A self-addressed stamped special delivery envelop : If you want to collect your passport in person, please include a letter explaining your plan to do so.

• ●Please choose your visa (at '4. Other visa information') for additional required documents for the category of visa for which you are applying.

4. Other Visa Information

• ●A-2 (Official) Visa

• ●A-1 (Diplomacy) Visa