Alright, guys, let’s talk about getting a South Korea visa online. I just went through this whole process, and let me tell you, it was a bit of a journey, but totally doable. So, I figured I’d share my experience to make it easier for anyone else thinking about it.
First things first, I started by hitting up the Korea VISA Portal. It’s pretty straightforward, you know. They’ve got this “Application Status/Issue” section, and that’s where I began. I had to punch in my passport number, name, and date of birth, and then click the “Search” button. Easy peasy. If your visa’s approved, the details pop up right there.
But here’s the thing I learned – patience is key. Once you submit your application, it can take a while. I heard it usually takes about 3 weeks to get your visa result, but when things are busy, it might even stretch to 3–8 weeks. So, yeah, don’t wait until the last minute to apply!

Two Ways to Apply
Now, there are a couple of ways to actually submit your application. You can do it all online through their e-visa portal, which is what I did. It felt super convenient, not having to go anywhere. But I also heard you can do it the old-fashioned way, though I didn’t explore that option myself.
K-ETA, Anyone?
Oh, and here’s another thing I stumbled upon – the K-ETA. Apparently, it’s like a travel authorization thingy for folks who don’t need a visa to enter South Korea. There are over 100 countries on that list. Since I’m a U.S. citizen, I could’ve just used my passport and stayed for up to 90 days with the K-ETA. But I wanted to stay longer, so I went for the full visa.
What You’ll Need
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty – what you actually need for the application. You’ve got your standard stuff like the Visa Application Form and your passport. But they also ask for proof of accommodation, so I made sure to book a place in advance and have that confirmation ready. And of course, you need your return ticket sorted out too.
My Destination: Seoul, Jeju, and Gyeongju!
I’m super stoked about this trip, by the way. I’ve always wanted to explore South Korea. I’m planning to hit up Seoul, check out the beautiful Jeju Island, and soak in some history at Gyeongju. It’s gonna be epic!
So, after gathering all my documents and filling out the forms, I submitted my application online. I got the visa grant notice by email a few weeks later. I paid with my credit card. It’s not free, but it wasn’t too expensive either.
Anyways, that’s my experience with getting a South Korea visa online. It wasn’t too bad, honestly. Just gotta be organized, patient, and make sure you have all your documents in order. If you’ve got any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments. I’m no expert, but I’ll try my best to help out based on what I went through. Safe travels, everyone!