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 in Nigeria and 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.

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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;

  • 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 ₦36,000 as of the time of this writing. (Please visit the official website for updated figures). Other costs include;

  • Single Entry Visa (More than 90 days): ₦54,000
  • Double Entry Visa (two times entry within six months): ₦63,000
  • Multiple Entry Visa (multiple entries within one year): ₦81,000

South Korea Visa Application in Nigeria and Kenya Processing Time

The embassy states that 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 if applications are not submitted with this timeframe in mind, they will not be considered at all.

It is also important to note that the processing time may vary from one application to the next and is 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.

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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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62 Comments

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Amarachi, I have just sent you a mail. Thank you

  4. Hartley favour

    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

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. Under payer, I’m the one sponsoring my trip. What do I put in relationship to person? Should I just put, myself?

  8. I’m going for surgery purposes, I can still use a tourist visa right?

    • I think you probably can but there’s also a visa category for Medical treatment, which is the G-1-10 visa.

      • Thanks Amy! Uhm, I wanted to ask, is there any travel agency you can recommend for Sk Visa processing. I’m scared that I’d get rejected. As this is my first time, do you feel I don’t need an agency? I can do it on my own.

        • Hi Ally, unfortunately, I don’t know any agents that process South Korean visas. I feel you can apply on your own if you meet all the requirements and if you have a strong travel history.

  9. Hey please, uhm, how do you get an iternary from a travel agent in Korea?

    Who do you use?

  10. Hi Amarachi,
    Did you provide any Invitation letter during your application?
    I’m asking because there’s a section on the Lagos website that says “Please note that without inviter from Korea, the purpose of the visit may be difficult to be proven.”
    For a tourist visa

    • Hi Soled, no I did not. I did provide an extensive itinerary I made myself, with a breakdown of each day’s activities, costs and accommodation. In addition to hotel and flight reservations. I also submitted in Kenya (and it might have been an easier process here).

  11. Hi Amara. I intend to embark on a visit (tour) to SK. I have a friend (SK citizen) who is willing to provide me with Invitation Letter. What are the necessary requirement for Tourist visa

    • Hello Doncecey, this article details the South Korean tourist visa requirements. Kindly go through it and feel free to reach out if you need more clarification.