Nigerian citizens need a visa to visit South Korea and in this post, I’ll detail the South Korea visa requirements and application process. I’ll talk about how to apply in Kenya (as a resident) and Nigeria, as well as some important information you need to know. If you’re applying for a visa for the first time, be sure to read my guide, which details general rules about visa applications in Nigeria.
PS: I encourage you to check the South Korean Embassy’s website for updated information about the visa application process. All information presented in this post is correct at the time of this writing. They are subject to change without notice. Always confirm travel details and requirements with respective embassies & airlines before you apply or travel.
How to Apply for a South Korean Visa from Nigeria or Kenya
The process of applying for a visa is pretty simple. Applicants need to put the South Korea visa requirements documentation together and submit them in person to the appropriate application centres.
South Korea Visa Requirements for Nigerian & Kenyan Citizens
The documents needed for your visa application include, but are not limited to the below;
- Visa Application form filled in English or Korean with black ink, downloaded from this site and personally signed by the applicant (Applicants must fill out the entire form completely). You may also choose to fill out and print the e-form instead.
- A valid passport with a minimum of two free leaflets and six months’ validity
- Photocopy of your international passport bio-data page
- Original letter of invitation (if applicable)
- Recently taken 1 passport-size photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm, colour), not older than 3 months and on white background, glued to the spot provided on the form
- Original and copy of Kenyan Work/Resident’s permit (for non-Kenyan citizens)
- Certified bank statements for the last 3 months (at least) issued within 14 days of your submission. I recommend submitting 6 months statement. This is also compulsory when applying in Nigeria.
- Return flight reservation
- Travel itinerary from a travel agent in Korea
- Hotel reservation, if applicable
- Travel medical insurance covering the whole duration of your stay in South Korea
- Documentation showing ties to home country
- Photocopy of National ID card or Driver’s licence or Voters card which is issued within last five years (For Nigerians)
Depending on your visa type, additional documents may be requested. See the South Korean Embassy’s website for more information and updates on requirements.
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Other South Korea Visa Requirements…
- For employees: Introductory letter from your workplace. In English, on official company paper with a stamp, signature, and date – detailing your position, salary and the length of your employment, confirming that you have been given time off work and your position will be kept until your return, and stating whether this time off is paid or unpaid.
- Confirmation or promotion letters
- A valid tax certificate, work ID card
- Certificate of incorporation
Where is the South Korea Visa Submission Centre in Kenya Located?
The centre is located on the first and second floors of Misha Tower, Westlands, Nairobi. They are open on Mondays to Fridays (except weekends and public holidays) from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for submission and then from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for collection.
Where is the South Korea Visa Submission Centre in Nigeria Located?
Applicants may submit the South Korea visa requirements at the Lagos Office of the Embassy, located at 26 Oyinkan Abayomi Dr.(formerly Queens Dr.), Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria. Alternatively, you may visit the Korea Visa Center(VFS): Sterling Bank Plaza, 3rd Floor, Plot No 1083, Mohammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja, Nigeria. Business hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
South Korea Visa Fee in Kenya
A regular single-entry 90-day visa costs $40 or 5,600 Kenya Shillings at the time of this writing. (Please visit the official website for updated figures). This amount is not refundable even if you do not get the visa. It is also only payable via Mpesa. Other costs include;
2025 Update: I paid 5400 Ksh for a single-entry 90-day visa.
- Single Entry Visa (More than 90 days): $60
- Double Entry Visa (two times entry within six months): $70
- Multiple Entry Visa (multiple entries within one year): $90
South Korea Visa Fee in Nigeria
A regular single-entry visa costs ₦60,000 as of the time of this writing. Please visit the official website for updated figures, as this figure keeps changing due to fluctuating exchange rates.
South Korea Visa Application in Nigeria and Kenya Processing Time
The embassy states it takes a minimum of 14 working days to process a regular South Korean visa in Kenya and Nigeria. In Kenya, there is a notice that applications will not be considered at all if they are not submitted within this timeframe.
2025 Update: This time has been updated to 7 working days
It is also important to note that the processing time may vary from one application to the next and advisable to apply early enough to give enough time for the visa process. I submitted my application about a month before my travel date and my visa was processed in 6 working days.
What Next?
You can track the status of your South Korean visa via this site and print out the confirmation of the visa issuance document. In 2025, you no longer need to leave your passport at the embassy.
That’s it for the entire South Korea visa requirements and application process in Nigeria and Kenya. I hope you find this guide useful. Feel free to share your visa experience with me or ask any questions you might have in the comment section.
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Photo by Chan Young Lee, Daniel Bernard on Unsplash
Please I need a guide line, I have some one who wants to travel to south Korea but has only 1.7m naira, both for visa and flights ticket, is it to small, or you can direct him to a good country that amount can take him to where he could save money fast and travel to Europe.
Hello Ruth, I’m unable to give recommendations for “a good country” to travel to as I have no experience or knowledge about that. This blog focuses solely on travel for tourism purposes. 1.7m naira based on the current exchange rate may just be short of covering visa and flight tickets to Korea. It will all depend on when you book.