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
It’s November a good month to travel to south Korea or not because I need the best time is the summer time
November is generally a good month. It’s Fall Season in Korea with Autumn colours making the landscape more beautiful. Expect some rain though. But generally, it’s a good month.
When is the best time to travel to South Korea best month
It depends on your preferences and travel style. Generally, Spring (March to May) and Autumn (October and November) are the best months to visit for great weather and beautiful cherry blossom flowers and autumn foliage
Hello Amarachi, after gathering my documents,do I need to do an online visa application or go straight for submission at the embassy.
Also do I need to book an appointment before submission or walk in to the embassy or vfs.thanks
Hello Nwachukwu, in Kenya, applications are submitted in person through walk-ins. I suspect it’s the same process at VFS Nigeria, though I’m not entirely certain. It’s best to give VFS a call to confirm.
Hello Amara,
On the Korean embassy website it clearly states that application for tourist visa can hardly be proven without an invitation.
I equally understand that tourist visa is mostly given to female applicants,I have hardly seen a man given this visa.
Hello Pela, yes, I’ve seen this stated on the website. I guess it highlights that it can be “difficult to prove” but not impossible. I have now travelled to Korea twice without getting an invitation letter. I simply submitted a detailed day-to-day itinerary, as well as hotel and flight reservations (in addition to other necessary documents). I have not heard that the visas are granted more to women and rarely to men. I’m afraid I can’t really speak on that as I have no relevant information or experience.
Hello amarachi,,I really want to migrate to south Korea from Nigeria,,,can you please tell me how to go about it,,and I don’t longer have a bank account too,,is it compulsory to get bank statement ,,please help a sister
Hello Patience, unfortunately, I don’t have any information about migrating to South Korea. As for getting the tourist visa, a bank account statement is a mandatory document.
Hello Amarachi.
I just read though your write up about South Korean visa
My brother had an agent arrange all document for him, he went to vfs centre in Abuja to submit his documents, he didn’t do thumb printing or any capturing.
4 days later he received his passport back with no decision whether it has been granted or denied. Now the agent is saying it seem they now do e-visa and to wait for another email
My question is is it possible not to have thumb printing and capturing for visa application?
Also is it possible to have passport back not stamped and no explanation on state of application?
Thank you as I await your response
Hello Precious,
At the time I applied (which I assume is still the status quo), there was no biometric capturing at the embassy. You just submit your documents and wait to get a response to pick your passport up.
There’s also no endorsement on the passport, even if you get the visa. They usually hand you a paper document (sort of like an evisa) which you travel with to obtain the small sticker visa at the airport in Korea.
You should be able to check the status of your application via this website. You will need to enter your passport number, application number, name and DOB. If the visa is approved, you will be able to download the paper document as well.
Amarachi, I have just sent you a mail. Thank you
Please amarachi, can we talk on Whatsapp?? I’ll need your assistance in traveling to south Korea from Nigeria, please chat me up [redacted] please amarachi thank you I’m waiting
Hello Hartley, please feel free to leave any questions you might have here. Alternatively, you can send me an email at [email protected].
please I would like to make enquiry about SK visa,I want to apply for tourist visa to visit SK do I need invitation letter from Korean citizen? An it’s easy to get visa, i am working in dubai an i have small company registered under Nigeria government, an company bank account
You don’t need an invitation letter if applying for a tourist visa. If someone is inviting you, you can include one. Also, if you meet all the requirements, it’s not very difficult to obtain (based on my experience). At the end of the day, whether you get it or not is dependent on the issuing visa officer.
Please, I wish to inquire if the six months international passport validity is reading from when you applied or the expected date of departure. As my passport will be expiring April 16th 2024 and I have invitation to Korea is on December 2023.
Can I apply now to meet up with the six months validity
It is for both. You can apply now (July/August) with your passport validity as it is still within the 6-months timeframe. However, you need to renew it before your trip in December or post that. You can attach both passports together as your visa for the old will still be valid. Many airlines will not allow you board with anything less than the required 6-months validity.