South Korean visa resources
South Korean Visa Processing Times
What affects how long a Korean visa or K-ETA takes to be decided, and where to check current guidance.
Important
Processing time for a Korean visa depends on the category, the applicant's nationality, the volume of applications at the handling mission, and whether additional documents, verification or an interview are required. Straightforward short-stay applications are generally faster than employment, investment or family reunification cases that need substantive review.
K-ETA applications are processed online and applicants are advised to apply well before travel rather than at the last minute, as approval is not instantaneous in all cases. E-visa applications submitted through the Korea Visa Portal are examined by a local immigration office before issuance.
Because published processing times change, apply early and check current guidance from the Korea Immigration Service, the K-ETA portal or the mission handling your application. Do not rely on informal estimates.
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.