06-01-2026
The Minister of Finance of South Korea has announced that "To maintain the momentum of inbound tourism, six nations would be relieved from the visa processing fee." This is limited to the groups travelling from India and the other five nations, where the processing charges will be dismissed. Mr. Koo has been aiming for a boost in tourism for South Korea, and thus, the relief has been extended for the next six months for the select nations. The extension is limited to C-3-2 visas, which are generally issued for short-term arrivals, highlighting the aspect the country is trying to promote through this initiative.
Nations that are Included in this Extended Waiver
Notably, the Minister introduced six Central Asian countries to whom South Korea will provide relief in visa processing. The following nations are listed below:
- India
- China
- Vietnam
- The Philippines
- Indonesia
- Cambodia
Tourist groups from these nations will be relieved, as the C-3-2 visas will cover them. This way, multiple visitors who are applying for short-term visas for various purposes, including tourism, visiting relatives, short business trips, and specific training programs, would be treated. Initially, the expiration of this policy was scheduled for Wednesday; however, the date has been extended for an additional six months.
Charges Required for Visa Processing
Currently, travellers are required to pay the processing fee of 18,000 won or $12.44 for C-3-2 visas. However, the select nations do not have to pay this and can continue to enter South Korea without incurring any fees. Thus, the overall cost of the group travelling from India, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Cambodia.
Additionally, Korea has seen a surge in travel demand during November, which is relatively higher than in past years, surpassing the 17.3% mark, and proceeding to recover the pre-pandemic levels. Among all the countries on the list, China remains at the top with over 378,000 arrivals in South Korea. Japan follows with 363,000 arrivals, Taiwan crosses 200,000, and then the United States and the Philippines with 133,000 and 60,000, respectively.
Additional Causes Behind the Extension of Waivers
According to the extended policy, visa processing charges make travel more budget-friendly and effortless. Additionally, the policy is made for the key Asian countries, through which South Korea gets the most tourist traffic. The expectation is to witness growth and remain relevant in tourism as demand increases, while enhancing the tourism infrastructure and supporting businesses that rely on foreign tourists.
The primary goal behind the extended waiver is to encourage short visits to South Korea by offering an unmatched experience, ensuring that travelers return repeatedly. According to the authorities, the number is expected to increase, which will benefit not only tourism but also accommodations, retail, transportation, and entertainment, creating more jobs in the process. Hence, this displays as a potential boost; the policy is widely accepted and properly appreciated.
This extension is also expected to boost South Korean tourism, which can be achieved through several appraoches, such as increasing connectivity, promoting regional destinations, and attracting tourists to preferred locations. The authority provides a waiver fee, which serves the country's strength.