Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle

 Visa Free Entry for Third Country Transit Passengers

(Resume April 30, 2023)

The consulate does not provide confirmation whether you can use the transit program or you need a visa. Please read the information below carefully and decide whether you apply for a visa or use the transit program.

※ If you have any further questions regarding this program, please contact the Korean Immigration Office. (+82-2-6908-1345)

▢︎ Eligibility (excluding nationals of 23 countries* that are not granted visa free entry to Jeju)

*Syria, Sudan, Iran, Cuba Kosovo, Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Ghana, Yemen, Gambia, Senegal, Bangladesh, Kyrgyz, Pakistan, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Nepal, Cameroon, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Egypt

◯︎ Nationals of countries that need a visa to enter Korea, and meets either ①︎ or ②︎ of the below

①︎ hold a visa (including permanent residency, re-entry permit) to enter either the U.S (including Guam and Saipan), Canada, Australia, or New Zealand and △︎ transit through Korea to enter one of the abovementioned 4 countries or △︎ has stayed in and departed from one of the abovementioned 4 countries and transit through Korea bound for the country of origin or a third country

②︎ hold a visa (including permanent residency, re-entry permit) to enter at least one of the 32 European countries and △︎ transit through Korea to enter one of the 32 European countries or △︎ departed from one of the 32 European countries and transit through Korea bound for the country of origin or a third country

** Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Rumania, Luxemburg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Malta, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland, Estonia, UK, Austria, Italy, Czech, Croatia, Portugal, Poland, France, Finland, Hungary

▢︎ Conditions for Visa Free Entry

◯︎ Hold a confirmed onward flight ticket for departure within 30 days after entering Korea, in addition to having no record of criminal offense such as illegal stay in the countries mentioned above

◯︎ Has not been denied entry into Korea in the past 3 years preceding the date of entry

◯︎ Has not been fined more than 5 million KRW or received an exit or deportation order for violation of law such as illegal stay 

◯︎ Stayed no longer than 3 days in the country of transit or stopover before entering Korea

*Excluding cases of returning to the previous departure point (country of transit or stopover) 

◯︎ Details for visa confirmation 

• ○(U.S, Canada, New Zealand, 32 European countries) Accepted only when the visa sticker is affixed to the passport and is able to confirm validity

• ○(Australia) Accepted only when the validity of visa can be confirmed via the Visa Entitlement Verification Online system of the Australian government (VEVO, onlie.immi.gov.au)

▢︎ Visa Status and Period of Stay: Tourist/Transit (B-2), 30 days

[Acceptable cases]

① USA→Korea→Home country

② USA→Korea→Third country

③ Home country→Korea→USA

④ Third country→Korea→USA 

⑤ USA→Korea→Third country→Home country

⑥ USA→Third country→Korea→Home country

⑦ Home country→Korea→Third country→USA

⑧ Home country→Third country→Korea→USA

[Unacceptable cases]

① Home country→Korea→Home country→USA

② USA→Korea→USA→Home country

③ Europe→Third country (stay more than 3 days)→Korea→Third country

※ If you have any further questions regarding this program, please contact the Korean Immigration Office. (+82-2-6908-1345)