Embassy of the Republic of Korea to New Zealand

The Embassy is dealing with a high volume of applications in recent days, and therefore, it is expected that there will be delays in visa processing. If you live in Auckland, Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty or Gisborne, please directly contact Korean Consulate (auckland@mofa.go.kr) in Auckland for your application.  

All international travellers  must have  an appropriate visa  or  entry permit (K-ETA).

K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorisation)

• K-ETA will temporarily be exempted for 22 countries from 2023.4.1 to 2024.12.31. (click)
• K-ETA is an electronic travel authorisation that visa-free foreign visitors need to obtain before entering the Republic of Korea, by submitting relevant information online such as their travel information. Purpose of travel should be tourism, visiting a family member, participating in events or meetings, or commercial business (visits where profit is derived are excluded).
  • More information on K-ETA click

New Zealand Passport Holders

• New Zealand passport holders who wish to enter South Korea for  short term (up to 90 days)  can now apply for the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation) before travel.
  • K-ETA Homepage click
• For other nationalities, please check your country's K-ETA eligibility and length of stay allowance here.
  • K-ETA Country Eligibility Check click

Visa (General Visitor Visa)

• If your country is not included in the K-ETA country list, you  must  apply for an appropriate visa in order to enter South Korea.
  • General Visitor visa click
  • Other type of visas click
  • Download Visa Application Form click  

Tourist in transit - "Third country passenger-visa free entry"

• As of April 30 2023, The "Tourist in transit - third country passengers-visa free entry."  has been resumed. (click)
• If you satisfy the conditions, you can travel to or transit through Korea without a visa/K-ETA. You will be able to stay for up to 30 days in Korea.
• Other passengers who do not meet the conditions still need a legit visa  or  K-ETA (except for the 22 K-ETA  waiver countries) approval if the  layover is over 24 hours  OR  go through an Immigration investigation and check-in again. 

Related Link: Hi-Korea

You can get information relating to...

• 1. Immigration, investment, labour, and everyday living to foreigners living in Korea or those that plan on coming to Korea.
• 2. On-line electronic processing of various applications that are needed for residence and employment
• 3. Provide investment related services to potential foreign investors. For example, gathering information about potential local partners, recommending local firms to investors (and visa versa), and various consulting services
• 4. Realisation of electronic government for foreigners that allows them to enjoy same level of privileges and conveniences as a Korean national.

• Countries under visa exemption agreement

  Total	Passport Type	Countries
  104 countries (Up to 90 days unless noticed otherwise)	Diplomatic (2 countries)	Turkmenistan (30 days), Uzbekistan (60 days)
  	Diplomatic & Official (35 countries)	Algeria, Argentina, Azerbaijan (30 days), Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Cambodia (60 days), Cape Verde, China (30 days),Cyprus, Croatia, Ecuador (Diplomatic: as needed for work performance, Official: 3 months), Egypt, Gabon, India, Iran (3 months), Japan (3 months), Kuwait, Laos, Mongolia, Pakistan (3 months), Paraguay, the Philippines (Unlimited), Ukraine, Vietnam, Moldova(90 days within 180 days), Tajikistan, Georgia, Myanmar, Bolivia, Kyrgyz (30 days), Armenia, Angola (30 days), Oman
  	Diplomatic & Official & Ordinary (67 countries)	Asia (4 countries)	Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand
  		America (25 countries)	Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Commonwealth of Dominica, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela (Diplomatic/Official: 30 days, Ordinary: 90 days), Uruguay
  		Europe (32 countries)	Schengen countries (except for Slovenia out of the 26 Schengen countries)], Austria (Diplomatic/Official: 180 days), Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal (60 days), Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland ※ Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden (90 days within 180 days)
  			[Non-Schengen countries] Bulgaria, Ireland, Kazakhstan (Diplomatic/Official: 90 days, Ordinary: Cannot exceed 30 days on each visit (total stay of up to 60 days in a 180 days period)), Romania (90 days within 180 days), Russia (Diplomatic/Official: 90 days, Ordinary: Cannot exceed 60 days on each visit (total stay of up to 90 days in a 180 days period)), Turkey (90 days within 180 days), UK
  		Africa & Middle East (6 countries)	Israel, Liberia, Morocco, Tunisia (30 days), Lesotho (60 days), United Arab Emirates

  Nationals of countries or regions allowed for visa-free entry(up to 30 days unless noticed otherwise)

  Nationals of countries or regions allowed for visa-free entry

  Continents	Countries
  Asia (6)	Brunei (30 days), Hong Kong (90 days), Indonesia (diplomatic and official, 14 days), Japan (90 days), Macau (90 days), Taiwan (30 days)
  America (7)	Argentina (30 days), Canada (6 months), Ecuador (30days), Guyana (30 days), Honduras (30 days), Paraguay (30 days), United States (90 days)
  Europe (11)	Albania (30 days), Andora (30 days), Bosnia-Herzegovina (30 days), Croatia (30 days), Cyprus (30 days), Monaco (30 days), Montenegro (30 days), San Marino (30 days), Serbia (30 days), Slovenia (90 days), Vatican (30 days)
  Oceania  (13)	Australia (90 days), Fiji (30 days), Guam (30 days), Kiribati (30 days), Marshall Islands (30 days), Micronesia (30 days), Nauru (30 days), New Caledonia (30 days), Palau (30 days), Samoa (30 days), Solomon Islands (30 days), Tonga (30 days), Tuvalu (30 days)
  Middle East & Africa (11)	Bahrain (30 days), Egypt (30 days), Kuwait (90 days), Lebanon (diplomatic and official 30 days), Mauritius (30 days), Oman (30 days), Qatar (30 days), Saudi Arabia (30 days), Seychelles (30 days), South Africa (30 days), Swaziland (30 days)

• Countries or Regions	Visa Type
  Italy, Japan, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine	All visas (Regardless of period of stay) For Ukrainians, travel documents for children included
  Sweden	90 days or less Visa
  Barbados, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Liberia, Peru	91 days or longer Visa
  Benin, Brazil, Cyprus, Guatemala, Paraguay, Romania, Uruguay, Mexico, Algeria	91 days or longer visa for a diplomatic or official passport holder
  Mongolia	31 days or longer visa for a diplomatic or official passport holder 90 days or less visa for a regular passport holder/td>
  Venezuela	31 days or longer visa for a diplomatic or official passport holder
  Philippines	59 days or less visa for business or tour (All of C-3)
  Australia	Multiple visa under 90 days for short-term commercial (C-3-4)
  U.S.	Diplomat (A-1), Foreign Government Official (A-2), and International Agreement (A-3)
  Japan, Hong Kong, France	Working Holiday (H-1)
  Germany	Student (D-2), Korean Language Trainee (D-4) for a student with an admission to a university (D-4), Intra-Company Transferee (D-7), Corporate/Foreign Investor (D-8), International Trade (D-9), Foreign National of Special Ability (E-7) for a person who engages in marketing
  China	Diplomatic officials, consular officials and their accompanying family members(a spouse, minor children, parents, and parents-in-law) : A-1(Diplomat, incumbency: 3 yearsNon-accompanying family members of diplomatic officials or consular officials(a spouse, children, parents, and parents-in-law) : C-3-1(Short Term General) multiple-entry visa valid for 1 year, with the period of stay of 90 days