Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Houston

ㅇ The Korean Government resumption of the Tourist in Transit(B2) from Apr 30th. 2023.
  - For Non-U.S. citizens (e.g. China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Philippines, India, etc), Tourists in transit to another country via Korea, can visit Korea without a visa for up to 30 days.

ㅇ This program is ONLY applicable if a foreigner goes from the country of origin to the country of origin or to the country of final destination via the Republic of Korea.

  - If you visit only Korea from the country of departure and return to the country of departure, you must get a visa.

ㅇ Immigration Type and Duration of Stay
  - B2, Max 30 days.

ㅇ Countries that are not eligible for this program
  - The Nationalities of these countries must require a visa before entering Korea even having a U.S. permanent residency or visa.
     *Syria, Sudan, Iran, Cuba, Kosovo, Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Ghana, Yemen, Gambia, Senegal, Bangladesh, Kirzik, Pakistan, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Nepal, Cameroon, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Egypt

ㅇ Eligibility
   1) A person who holds a valid visa  (including permanent residency) of the United States (including Guam and Saipan), Canada, New Zealand, and Australia
   2) A Person who holds a valid visa (including permanent residency) of the 32 European countries*
       *Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Romania, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Malta, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland, Estonia, England, Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, Croatia, Portugal, Poland, France, Finland, Hungary
   ※ The visa of the above country is recognized only when it is attached in the form of a sticker on the passport
      - However, in Australia, if the validity is confirmed in the Australian immigration authority visa information verification system, it is recognized even if it is not a sticker type.
   3) A person who holds a flight ticket reserved for departure flights within a 30-day period and has no illegal facts, such as an unlawful stay in the relevant country
   4) A person who has never been denied entry to the Republic of Korea within three years of the date of entry
   5) A person who has not received a fine of at least KRW 5 million or deportation due to illegal stay, other criminal matters, etc
   6) A person who stays in a third transfer country other than the Republic of Korea within three days
      *Except for returning to the origin (third country transfer station) via Korea

ㅇ Example of the possible cases (Based on the United States)
  *Non-U.S citizens like China, Philippines, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, etc. who hold a U.S. permanent residency or visa

   1) Departing from the United States (A) going to the Home country (C) or the third country (D) via Korea (B), or vice versa.
      e.g.   USA (A) → Korea (B) → Home Country (C) / [Possible]
               Home Country (C) → Korea (B) → USA (A) / [Possible]
               USA (A) → Korea (B) → Third Country (D) / [Possible]
               Third country (D) →  Korea (B) → USA (A) / [Possible]

   2) Departing from the United States (A) going to the Home country (C) via Korea (B) and the third country (D), or vice versa.

     *You must stay within 3 days in a country that transits before entering Korea, and if you stay more than that, you cannot enter Korea.

      e.g.   USA (A) → Korea (B) → Third Country (D) → Home Country (C) / [Possible]

               Home Country (C) → Third country (D, stay within 3 days) → Korea (B) → USA (A) / [Possible]

               USA (A) → Third country (D, stay within 3 days) → Korea (B) → Home Country (C) / [Possible]

               Home Country (C) → Korea (B) → Third Country (D) → USA (A) / [Possible]



ㅇ Example of the impossible cases (Based on the United States)
  *Non-U.S citizens like China, Philippines, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, etc. who hold a U.S. permanent residency or visa

   1) Departing from the United States (A) passing through Korea (B), returning to the United States (A), and then returning to the Home country (C) or a third country (D), or vice versa.
      e.g.   USA (A) → Korea (B) → USA (A) → Home Country (C) / [Impossible]

               Home Country (C) → Korea (B) → Home Country (C) → USA (A) / [Impossible]

               USA (A) → Korea (B) → USA (A) → Third Country (D) / [Impossible]

               Home Country (C) → Korea (B) → Home Country (C) → Third Country (D) / [Impossible]

               USA (A) → Home Country (C) → Korea (B) → Home Country (C) / [Impossible]

   2) Not possible if you stay for more than 3 days in a country that transit before entering Korea

      e.g.   Europe (E) → Third country (D, stay more than 3 days) → Korea (B) → USA (A) / [Impossible]

              Europe (E) → Third country (D, stay more than 3 days) → Korea (B) → Third country (D) / [Impossible]

ㅇ If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact the Korean Immigration Office. (+82-2-2100-1345)