Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Dubai

How to Apply for a Korean Visa / Visa Overview

Overview

In general, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to travel to the Republic of Korea must first obtain a valid Korean visa, referred to as a “Visa Grant Notice”. Certain foreign travelers may be eligible to enter the Republic of Korea without a visa if they meet the requirements for the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA). 

K-ETA is a travel authorization that allows eligible foreign national to travel to the Republic of Korea without a visa for up to 90 days. Travelers must apply for it through the K-ETA website in advance. More information about restrictions and qualifications is available at www.k-eta.go.kr or by contacting +82-2-2666-7102.

Do I Need a Visa to Travel to the Republic of Korea?

If your country is eligible for K-ETA, you can complete your application online at www.k-eta.go.kr and will not need to apply for a visa through the consulate.

However, if your country is not eligible for K-ETA, or if your K-ETA application is rejected, you may apply for a visa through the consulate.

Who Can Apply for a Visa Through the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Dubai?

1. UAE Nationals

2. Non-UAE Nationals who meet the following conditions:

   a) Holders of UAE Residence Visa (Dubai and Northern Emirates) with at least 6 months of validity remaining.

   b) Those who hold residence visas from Abu Dhabi and Al Ain must apply for a Korean visa at the Embassy of Korea in Abu Dhabi. 

   c) Citizens of one of the 34 countries listed here, in addition to the above conditions, must have held a UAE residence visa continuously in the recent 2 years to apply through the Dubai consulate.

3. Previously Rejected Applicants can only reapply after 3 months from the date of the last refusal.

What Type of Visa Should I Apply For?

The type of visa you need depends on the purpose of your visit to the Republic of Korea. Commonly applied-for visas and their requirements are listed on the Consulate’s website. For other types of visas, please visit the official visa portal at www.visa.go.kr.

Steps to Apply for a Korean Visa

Step 1: Determine the type of visa you wish to apply for and prepare the necessary documents.

Step 2: Schedule an appointment with the Visa Section of the Korean Consulate. Ensure you arrive on time, as late arrivals of more than 10 minutes will not be accommodated.

(Walk-ins are not allowed).

*Tourist Visa Appointment

*Non Tourist Visa Appointment

Step 3: Submit the visa requirements in person by the applicant and make the payment.

Note: a) The applicant must be able to communicate in Korean or English.

           b) Bring all required documents according to the visa type.

       * Document Validity:

                  >UAE Company letter: within 1 month

                  >Bank Statement: within 2 weeks

                  >All other documents: within 3 months or by the specific date

                   indicated in the document, whichever comes first

              * Document Language: must be in English or Korean only. 

                 Documents in Arabic (or any other language) must be translated, 

                 and both the original and translated documents must be submitted.

.

Step 4: Collect the original passport on the day indicated on the receipt. No urgent visa.

Note:         a) Visa processing takes 7 calendar days from the date of document submission.

           b) The original passport will be retained for the entire visa processing duration.

                   c) If approved, the short-term visa is valid for 90 days.

           d) In denied, fees will not be refunded, documents will not be returned, and reapplication is only allowed after 90 days.

How Much Are the Visa Fees?

All visa applicants are required to pay a non-refundable visa processing fee, even if the visa is denied. The fees may vary based on the applicant’s nationality and visa type.

Visa fee (Card Payments Only): 

  >Single-entry: $40

  >Double-entry: $70

  >Multiple-entry: $90

Conversion Rate: 1 USD = 3.68 AED

How Do I Check if I have a Valid Korean Visa Without a Visa Label in My Passport?

As of July 1, 2020, all Embassies and Consulates of the Republic of Korea no longer issue visa labels. You can check your visa status online at www.visa.go.kr.

After I Have My Visa, Will I Be Able to Enter the Republic of Korea?

A visa does not guarantee entry into the Republic of Korea, but allows a foreign citizen coming from abroad to travel to the Republic of Korea port of entry, and request permission to enter. Immigration officials at the port of entry, under the Ministry of Justice, have the authority to permit or deny entry to the Republic of Korea.

Additionally, the Consulate reserves the right to cancel any visa that has been granted if the information supplied by the applicant is found to be untrue, false or fraudulent.

Inquiries

If you have further inquiries, please contact with us via e-mail at dubaivisa@mofa.go.kr rather than by phone to avoid any miscommunication.