Visa Information

If your country is visa-exempt, you might still need a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) for stays under 90 days for tourism or business purposes. As of April 8, 2024, this applies to:

• The United States (until December 31, 2024)
• You can apply for a K-ETA online at https://www.k-eta.go.kr/ at least 72 hours before your departure. There’s a small processing fee.

If you are not a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you will need to apply for a tourist visa before traveling to South Korea. The specific requirements will vary depending on your nationality.

Here are some resources to help you find out more about tourist visas for South Korea:

• Korean Embassy or Consulate in your country: They can provide the most up-to-date information on visa requirements for your specific situation.
• Korea VISA Portal: https://www.visa.go.kr/openPage.do?LLANG=EN&MENU_ID=10105 (official Korean Government website)

• The type of visa you need will depend on your nationality, the purpose of your trip, and the length of your stay.
• How to apply for a visa online or at a Korean Embassy or Consulate.
• Processing times for visas can vary, so be sure to apply well in advance of your trip.

• Be sure to check the validity of your passport. It should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in South Korea.
• You may also be required to provide proof of onward travel and sufficient funds for your stay.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if widely available. It is against South Korean law to purchase these goods and against U.S. law to bring them into the United States.

Lost or Stolen Passports: If your passport is stolen, file a report at the nearest police station.

Quality of Care: Western-style medical facilities are available in most large cities. However, not all doctors and staff are proficient in English. For emergency ambulance service dial 119. Ambulance services are widely available.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas. Verify your health insurance coverage before traveling overseas.  In most cases, health care providers will require payment in advance of treatment or will not release a patient until hospital bills are paid. We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to include coverage for medical evacuation.

For medications that do not contain narcotics or amphetamines, up to six bottles of medication (or equivalent to a three-month supply) will be permitted into Korea, provided they are for personal use only. Visitors must bring the original prescriptions, a letter from your doctor specifying the medical condition, and a statement from your doctor on the medicines you are importing.

Certain prescription drugs are considered controlled substances and subject to the regulations established by the Korean Food and Drug Administration and the Korean Customs Service.  The procedures outlined below for importing/shipping medications or hand-carrying medications into the Republic of Korea are subject to change without notice.  We recommend that you plan in advance and confirm the procedures with the relevant Korean authorities before bringing any drugs into the Republic of Korea.

Marijuana, CBD oil, and hemp-derivate products are heavily regulated in the Republic of Korea and should not be brought into Korea, including on airport layovers. Even with a U.S.-based prescription, possession of these products can result in deportations and arrests.

Don’t do drugs or ship drugs.  Don’t get into fights at all cost.  South Korea is like the USA but with some ‘cultural shock’.  We will have a briefing when we do meet and greet and try to guild you the best way to avoid issues.  For example no photos of military bases or personale. 

This is the most common visa for tourists visiting mainland China. Here’s what you need to know:

• Requirements: You’ll need a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay in China) with at least two blank visa pages, a completed visa application form, a recent passport photo, proof of travel insurance, and documents showing your itinerary in China (e.g., flight bookings, hotel reservations).
• Application Process: You can typically apply for a visa online or at a Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country.

Starting from January 1, 2024, applicants within the United States no longer need to submit round-trip air ticket booking records, proof of hotel reservation, itinerary, or invitation letter for tourist visas. However, it’s always best to check with the embassy or consulate in your country for the latest requirements as they can vary.

http://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/zj/qz2021/202402/t20240227_11250439.htm

According to the relevant Chinese laws and regulations, foreign nationals holding ordinary passports, who have urgent needs to enter China but do not have enough time to apply for visas at Chinese embassies or consulates abroad, can apply for port visas for entry. (Conditions Apply)

• Official China Visa Application Service Center: https://www.visaforchina.cn/ (This website provides information on visa types, application procedures, and fees)
• Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States: http://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/zytz/202206/t20220614_10702581.htm (This website has specific information for US citizens applying for a visa)

• Apply for your visa well in advance of your trip, as processing times can vary.
• Double-check the validity of your passport and ensure you have all the required documents.
• Consider travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and trip cancellations.

NOTE: 

On application your FAMILY NAME is your last name and your Given Name is your first Name.  Copy it off exactly off your passport.