Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA

Visa Free Entry for Transfer Passengers

※ 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 questions regarding this program, please contact the Korean Immigration Office. (+82-2-2100-1345)

ㅇ The Korean Government resumption of the Tourist in Transit(B2) from Apr 30th. 2023.

▢︎ 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