How to Apply for a South Korean Tourist Visa

Last updated on October 4th, 2022; Published on February 8th, 2022

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, detailing 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
• 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 Drivers licence or Voters card which is issued within recent 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 am to 11:30 pm for submission and then from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm for collection.

Where is the South Korea Visa Submission Centre in Nigeria Located?

Applicants may submit the South Korea visa requirements at the Korea Visa Center(VFS): Sterling Bank Plaza, 3rd Floor, Plot No 1083, Mohammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja, Nigeria or at the Lagos Office of the Embassy, located at Plot 10 A&B, Layi Ajayi Bembe Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria. Business hours are between 9 am and 2 pm on Wednesdays.

South Korea Visa Fee in Kenya

A regular single-entry 90-day visa costs $40 or 4,400 Kenya Shillings + 400 notary fee at the time of this writing. 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 ₦18,000 as of the time of this writing. Other costs include;

• Single Entry Visa (More than 90 days): ₦27,000
• Double Entry Visa (two times entry within six months): ₦31,500
• Multiple Entry Visa (multiple entries within one year): ₦40,500

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 would 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.

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