Indian visa for South Korean citizens. Requirements, application process, fees, and photo guide
India requires South Korean citizens to obtain a visa before entering the country, whether they travel for tourism, business, or medical treatment. In many cases, travelers can apply online for an Indian e-Visa instead of visiting a visa office.
In this guide, you'll find the current India visa requirements for South Korean citizens, along with application instructions, fees, processing times, and photo specifications.
Table of contents
- Do South Korean passport holders need a visa for India?
- Types of Indian visas available for South Korean citizens
- Documents required to apply for an Indian tourist visa
- Get an Indian visa photo online!
- How to apply for an Indian visa from South Korea
- Indian visa fees for South Korean citizens
- Indian visa processing time
- FAQ
Do South Korean passport holders need a visa for India?
Yes. South Korean citizens generally need a visa to enter India, regardless of whether they are traveling for tourism, business, medical treatment, or another permitted purpose.
You must hold a valid visa along with a passport that is valid for at least six months from your date of arrival and has at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
Most travelers can choose between an Indian e-Visa and a regular (sticker) visa. Each has its own application process, purpose, and advantages. Below is a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is best for your travel needs.
e-Visa vs. regular visa
| e-Visa | Regular Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Apply online through the official Indian e-Visa portal. No embassy visit is required. | Submit an application through an Indian embassy, consulate, or authorized visa application center. |
| Best for | Short-term trips for tourism, business, or medical visits. Most convenient for casual travelers. | Long-term stays, employment, study, or other special purposes not covered by the e-Visa scheme. |
| Requirements | Valid passport, digital passport photo, supporting documents, and online payment. | Original passport, application form, photographs, supporting documents, and any additional requirements for the visa category. |
| Processing time | Usually 72 hours to 7 working days. | Commonly 5–15 working days, although some applications may take longer. |
| Entry points | Valid only through designated airports, seaports, and approved land checkpoints under the e-Visa scheme. | Can be used at all authorized ports of entry, including land borders. |
Which option should you choose?
- Choose an e-Visa if you are a tourist, on a short business trip, or seeking medical treatment. It is the fastest and most hassle-free way to obtain authorization for your visit.
- Choose a regular visa if you are planning a long stay, moving for work or study, or if your reason for traveling is not covered by the e-visa system (e.g., employment, journalism, or research).
Can South Koreans travel to India without a visa? No. South Korean citizens cannot enter India visa-free. However, unlike most foreign nationals, they are eligible for a Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) at selected Indian airports.
Visa-on-Arrival for South Korean citizens
South Korea is one of the few countries whose citizens can use India's Visa-on-Arrival scheme, along with Japan and the United Arab Emirates. The facility is available for tourism, business, medical treatment, and conference visits of up to 60 days.
To qualify, you must:
- hold an ordinary South Korean passport;
- plan to stay in India for no longer than 60 days;
- travel for tourism, business, medical, or conference purposes;
- have no residence or employment in India;
- hold a passport valid for at least six months;
- have a return or onward ticket and sufficient funds to cover your stay.
You are NOT eligible for Visa-on-Arrival if:
- you or your parents or grandparents were born in Pakistan or are permanent residents of Pakistan;
- you hold a diplomatic or official passport.
The Visa-on-Arrival cannot be extended or converted to another visa category after entry.
Where can you get Visa-on-Arrival? The facility is available ONLY at these international airports:
- Bengaluru (BLR)
- Chennai (MAA)
- Delhi (DEL)
- Hyderabad (HYD)
- Kolkata (CCU)
- Mumbai (BOM)
After landing, you must:
- complete the Visa-on-Arrival application form and the arrival card;
- present a passport valid for at least six months with blank visa pages;
- pay the applicable Visa-on-Arrival fee, currently INR 2,000 (about KRW 30,450) per traveler.
Although the Visa-on-Arrival option is available, many South Korean travelers choose the Indian e-Visa instead. Receiving travel authorization before departure speeds up the arrival process and reduces paperwork at the airport.
Types of Indian visas available for South Korean citizens
India issues several e-Visa categories for different travel purposes. Each type has its own eligibility rules, validity period, and permitted activities.
The main Indian e-Visa categories are as follows:
- e-Tourist visa: For sightseeing, holidays, visiting friends or relatives, and short-term yoga programs.
- e-Business visa: For business meetings, trade activities, and other approved business purposes.
- e-Medical visa: For receiving medical treatment, including treatment under recognized Indian systems of medicine.
- e-Medical Attendant visa: For accompanying a traveler holding an e-Medical Visa.
- e-Conference visa: For attending eligible conferences, seminars, and workshops organized or approved by the Government of India.
In recent years, India has also introduced additional e-Visa categories, including e-Transit, e-Mountaineering, e-Film, and e-Entry. However, the five categories listed above remain the most widely used by international travelers.
Documents required to apply for an Indian tourist visa
The Indian tourist visa application process for Koreans only requires a few documents, some of which can be uploaded online.
You will typically need:
- A passport valid for at least six months from your planned arrival date in India, with at least two blank pages. Upload a clear color scan or PDF of the passport's bio page.
- A recent digital passport photo in JPEG format that meets the official e-Visa photo requirements.
- For minors: a birth certificate, copies of both parents' passports, a parental consent letter, and, in some cases, the parents' marriage certificate.
- Proof of onward or return travel, if requested by immigration authorities.
- Proof of sufficient financial means, such as a recent bank statement or certificate of deposit, if requested.
- Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel reservation or an invitation letter from your host in India.
Important: Print your approved Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before departure. You must present it along with your passport when you arrive in India.
Get an Indian visa photo online!
A photo is an essential part of your Indian visa application.
What is the Indian visa photo size? Your photo must measure 2×2 inches (approx. 51×51 mm).
With Visafoto, you can create a compliant visa photo online in minutes without visiting a photo studio. Read on to learn how to get an Indian visa photo accepted by the authorities in just two simple steps:
- Upload a photo taken in natural light to the Visafoto tool below.
- Select the country and document type (for example, India, visa).
That's all you need to do. Visafoto automatically adjusts your image to match the official requirements, including the correct size, background, head position, and other technical specifications. You'll receive a digital photo ready for online submission, along with a version formatted for printing.
If needed, Visafoto can also improve image quality by correcting lighting, sharpening the photo, increasing resolution, and fixing framing issues, such as a crop that's too tight. You can even use a photo of an existing printed passport photo taken with your phone – Visafoto will optimize it for online use. If your original image already meets the official standards, Visafoto leaves it unchanged.
Original photo:
Photo after Visafoto processing:
Visafoto has processed over 1,000,000 approved document photos and maintains a 99.7% acceptance rate. If your photo is rejected, you'll receive a full refund. Our tech support is available 24/7 if you need help.
How to apply for an Indian visa from South Korea
South Korean citizens can complete the entire Indian e-Visa application online. The process includes filling out the application form, uploading the required documents, paying the fee, and receiving the approved travel authorization by email.
To apply, follow these steps:
- Visit the official Indian e-Visa website and select "e-Visa Application".
- Choose the e-Visa category that matches your trip, such as e-Tourist or e-Business.
- Complete the online application with your personal information, passport details, and travel plans.
- Upload a recent passport-style photo and a scanned copy of your passport's biographical page.
- Pay the fee online using a credit card, debit card, or another accepted payment method.
- Save your Application ID after submitting the form.
- Use the "Check Your Visa Status" option on the website to track your application.
- Once your application is approved, you will receive your Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) by email. Print a copy and present it with your passport when you arrive in India.
Indian visa fees for South Korean citizens
Indian e-Visa fees vary by visa category, validity period, and, in some cases, the season of travel. Below you’ll find the cost breakdown.
e-Tourist visa:
- 30-day (arrivals from July to March): USD 25
- 30-day (arrivals from April to June): USD 10
- 1-year: USD 40
- 5-year: USD 200 for South Korean citizens.
Other e-Visa categories typically cost USD 80, while the e-Business visa costs USD 120 for South Korean citizens, according to the official fee schedule.
All government fees are published on the official Indian e-Visa website and must be paid online by credit or debit card. Your bank may also charge a small international transaction fee, typically around 3%–4%, in addition to the government visa fee.
Indian visa processing time
The official minimum processing time for an Indian e-Visa for Korean passport holders is 72 hours. However, most applications are processed within 3 to 7 working days.
Because application volumes can be high, the Indian government recommends submitting your e-Visa application at least 14 days before travel, especially if you are applying for a long-validity permit.
FAQ
How long can South Korean citizens stay in India with an e-Visa?
The permitted stay depends on the type of e-Tourist visa:
- 30-day e-Tourist visa: Up to 30 days per visit.
- 1-year and 5-year e-Tourist visas: Up to 90 days per visit, with a maximum total stay of 180 days per calendar year.
Can I use the same Indian e-Visa for multiple trips?
Yes, if your visa allows multiple entries:
- The 30-day e-Tourist visa generally permits two entries during its validity period.
- The 1-year and 5-year e-Tourist visas allow multiple entries, with each stay limited to 90 days.
Can I convert or extend my Indian e-Visa after arriving in India?
In most cases, no. Indian e-Visas cannot be extended or converted to another category after arrival, so you must leave India before your authorized stay ends. Exceptions are very limited and include:
- A serious medical emergency, supported by a certificate from a government or ICMR-recognized hospital.
- Marriage to an Indian citizen, which may allow an e-Tourist visa to be converted into an Entry (X) Visa.
Overstaying your permit can result in fines, deportation, or restrictions on future travel to India.
Is it possible to enter India by land with an e-Visa?
Yes, but only under specific conditions. As of 2026, first-time entry with an Indian e-Visa is permitted only through the following land checkpoints:
- Raxaul (India–Nepal border)
- Rupaidiha (India–Nepal border)
- Jogbani (India–Nepal border)
- Darranga (India–Bhutan border)
After your first entry has been recorded and your passport has been stamped, you may use any authorized Integrated Check Post (ICP) for subsequent entries into India, provided your e-Visa remains valid.