How Much Does a South Korea Tourist Visa Cost - Updated Expenses

South Korea, with its brightly lit streets in Seoul, the poetic scenery of Jeju Island, and unique cuisine, is an ideal destination for Vietnamese travelers. To begin your journey exploring the land of kimchi, a South Korea tourist visa (C-3-9) is a prerequisite. A question that many people are concerned about is how much does it cost to get a South Korea tourist visa? This article will provide detailed information about the related costs, updated to 2025, along with useful tips to save money and increase your visa approval rate.

Overview of the costs for obtaining a South Korea tourist visa

The cost of applying for a South Korea tourist visa (C-3-9, single entry, maximum stay of 30 days) includes mandatory fees and additional costs depending on how you prepare your application. Below are the main types of costs:

1. Visa fee at the South Korean Embassy

According to the regulations of the South Korean Embassy, the tourist visa fee (C-3-9) is periodically updated based on the exchange rate. As of June 2025, the fee is:

• 30 USD (approximately 720,000-750,000 VND, depending on the exchange rate at the time of application).

Note:

• The fee is payable in cash (VND or USD) at the Korean Visa Application Center (KVAC).
• This fee is non-refundable, even if the visa is denied.
• The fee may change from January 1, 2026, as South Korea adjusts visa fees every 6 months.

>>> See more: Latest South Korea Visa Application Form - Detailed Instructions

2. Service fee at KVAC

In addition to the visa fee, you need to pay a service fee to KVAC:

• 390,000 VND/application (applies to all types of visas, including tourism).

Additional services at KVAC:

• Mailing visa results:
  • Within Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City: 60,000 VND (1 working day).
  • Outskirts/other provinces: 80,000 VND (3 working days).
• ID photo at KVAC Ho Chi Minh City: 50,000 VND/4 photos (meets visa photo standards).

3. Translation and notarization costs

Some documents in the application such as household registration book, employment contract, or birth certificate need to be translated and notarized into English or Korean. This cost depends on the translation agency:

• Notarized translation: 60,000-120,000 VND/page, averaging 600,000-1,200,000 VND/application.
• Notarization of documents: 30,000-60,000 VND/copy.

4. Financial proof costs

To prove financial capability, you need to have a savings account with at least 5,000 USD (approximately 120 million VND) deposited at least 1 month before the application date. Related costs include:

• Bank balance confirmation: 50,000-100,000 VND/time (depending on the bank).
• Account statement: Free or 20,000-50,000 VND (if a stamped copy is required).

5. Service fees through visa support companies

If you use the services of reputable companies like NVK Travel, the cost will include a package fee to support the entire process. The average fee is:

• Tourist visa (C-3-9): 2,800,000-5,000,000 VND, depending on processing time (7-16 days).
• 5-year visa (C-3-91): 4,500,000-6,500,000 VND, due to more complex application requirements.

Benefits of using the service:

• Assistance with filling out forms, scheduling appointments, checking documents, and tracking results.
• Increased visa approval rate thanks to professional document assessment.

Estimated total costs

• Self-service: 700,000-1,800,000 VND (including visa fee, KVAC fee, translation, notarization).
• Through service: 2,800,000-5,500,000 VND (including all procedures and full support).

>>> See more: What is South Korea Visa E8? - Detailed Instructions - Visa Application Procedures

Factors affecting visa application costs

1. Type of visa:
   • Tourist visa C-3-9 (single entry): 30 USD.
   • 5-year visa (C-3-91): 50 USD (requires household registration in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and a history of entry into South Korea).
   • Multiple entry visa: 80 USD.
2. Processing time:
   • Regular (8-16 days): Lower cost.
   • Expedited (7-9 days): Higher intermediary service fee, around 3,800,000-5,500,000 VND.
3. Application submission location:
   • KVAC Hanoi (from Hue northward): 12th Floor, Discovery Complex Building, 302 Cau Giay.
   • KVAC Ho Chi Minh City (from Da Nang southward): 16th Floor, Vietcombank Building, 5 Me Linh Square, District 1.
4. Complexity of the application:
   • Freelancer, housewife, or student applications require a sponsorship letter, leading to higher translation and notarization costs.
   • Financially weak or illogical applications may require in-depth assessment, increasing service costs.

Necessary documents to apply for a South Korea tourist visa

To apply for a South Korea tourist visa, you need to prepare the following documents:

• Passport: Original (valid for more than 6 months) and a copy of the information page.
• Visa application form: Download at https://www.visaforkorea-hc.com or https://www.visaforkorea-vt.com, fill out in English/Korean, sign, attach a 3.5x4.5cm photo.
• ID photo: 2 photos 3.5x4.5cm, white background, taken within 3 months.
• ID card/CCCD: Notarized copy.
• Financial proof: Savings book with a minimum of 5,000 USD, balance confirmation, bank statements for 3-6 months.
• Proof of employment:
  • Employee: Employment contract, salary slips for 3 months, leave application.
  • Business owner: Business license, tax payment receipts, company account statements.
  • Student: Student ID, confirmation letter from the school, financial sponsorship letter.
• Travel itinerary:
  • Round-trip flight ticket (booked in advance, no need to issue ticket).
  • Hotel booking confirmation (through reputable platforms like Booking, Agoda).
  • Detailed itinerary in English/Korean (specifying locations such as Seoul, Busan, Jeju).

Note:

• Documents in Vietnamese must be translated and notarized into English or Korean.
• The application must be consistent, and information on the flight ticket, hotel, and itinerary must match.

Process for applying for a South Korea tourist visa

1. Prepare the application:
   • Collect all necessary documents, translate and notarize if needed.
   • Check carefully to avoid errors.
2. Make an appointment:
   • Visit https://www.visaforkorea-hc.com (Hanoi) or https://www.visaforkorea-vt.com (Ho Chi Minh City).
   • Choose a suitable time, save the confirmation code.
3. Submit the application:
   • Go to KVAC at the scheduled time, submit the application and pay the fee (30 USD + 390,000 VND).
   • Receive a receipt and a tracking number to check the status.
4. Wait for approval:
   • Processing time: 8-16 working days, may take longer during peak seasons (February-April, September-November).
   • Track the visa status on the KVAC website.
5. Receive the result:
   • Pick up directly at KVAC or via mail (fee 60,000-80,000 VND).

Tips to save costs and increase visa approval rate

• Prepare a complete application: Ensure all documents are clear, logical, and match the purpose of travel to avoid additional requests or rejections.
• Submit early: Make an appointment 1-2 months in advance to avoid expedited fees and reduce time pressure.
• Strong finances: Savings over 10,000 USD or travel history to developed countries (Japan, USA, Schengen) help increase reliability.
• Avoid peak seasons: Submit applications in May-August or December-January to reduce waiting time.
• Use reputable services: Companies like NVK Travel help optimize applications, save time, and reduce the risk of visa denial.

NVK Travel - Supporting visa applications for travel to South Korea efficiently and professionally

NVK Travel, a subsidiary of Eagle Asia Co., Ltd., established in 2013, is a leading provider of international travel services, flight bookings, hotel reservations, and visa support. We are committed to providing fast and effective visa application services for travel to South Korea with the following advantages:

• Comprehensive support: From consultation, preparing documents, to scheduling appointments and tracking results.
• High approval rate: A team of experts with over 12 years of experience ensures logical and professional documentation.
• Diverse services: Support for booking tours to South Korea, flight tickets, and hotels at prominent destinations such as Seoul, Busan, and Jeju.
• Reasonable costs: Transparent pricing, no hidden fees.

Let NVK Travel accompany you on your journey to explore South Korea! Visit now https://nvktravel.com or contact our hotline for free consultation and support for visa applications to South Korea at optimal costs. Start your trip to the land of kimchi today!