SOUTH KOREA: New Process for Visa Issuance

February 18, 2020


Effective 24 February 2020, Korean consulates will begin to phase out the stamping of visas into passports.

Instead, the applicant must check the status of the visa application online and, once the visa is issued, print out a confirmation to be carried on entry.

This new procedure will be effective from 24 February 2020, for visas issued by the Korean missions in the United States, Japan and Europe (specifically: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom).

It will be effective worldwide from 1 July 2020.

Work visa applications are submitted to Korean consulates once a Visa Issuance Confirmation Number (VICN) has been obtained from the Korean Immigration Office.

Our Advice

Visa applicants and their employers who may be affected are encouraged to contact a Newland Chase immigration specialist for case-specific advice.

For general advice and information on immigration and business travel to South Korea, please contact us.