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South Korea visa · Kochi, Kerala
South Korea Tourist Visa (C-3) from Kerala
A holiday in Seoul or Busan needs the short-term C-3 visitor visa. Kerala comes under the Consulate General of Korea in Chennai, so the file is submitted at the Korea Visa Application Centre (KVAC) in Chennai – there is no centre in Kochi. Visa Xpert, Kochi prepares your forms and file and arranges the Chennai submission.
Submission at KVAC Chennai
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South Korea tourist visa at a glance
- Government feeSet in US dollars – US$40 for a single-entry short stay. KVAC collects it in rupees: about ₹3,600 single, ₹8,100 multiple entry (check the current amount). KVAC service charge about ₹1,600.
- Processing timeAround 10–15 working days after submission at KVAC Chennai; longer in peak season. KVAC publishes the current minimum.
- Stay and validityC-3-9 single entry: stay up to 90 days, valid for 3 months. Multiple entry possible for travellers with a strong travel record.
- Where you apply from KeralaNo Kochi centre. Submit at KVAC Chennai (Egmore) – in person or through us; KVAC Bengaluru is the alternative.
Quick answer
Yes – Kerala residents can get a South Korea tourist visa, but the file must be submitted at the Korea Visa Application Centre in Chennai (or Bengaluru); there is no Korean visa centre in Kerala. The fee is set in US dollars – US$40 for a single-entry short stay, collected by KVAC in rupees (about ₹3,600) – plus a KVAC service charge of about ₹1,600. Processing takes around 10–15 working days. Visa Xpert’s service charge is quoted per case – call or WhatsApp +91 89211 53604.
South Korea tourist visa: key facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official visa | Short-term visit visa C-3-9 (general tourist) – single or multiple entry. Business visits use C-3-4 with an invitation. |
| Who it is for | Holidays, sightseeing, visiting friends, attending events as a spectator, K-culture trips. Not for work, study or paid performances. |
| Government fee | Set in US dollars: US$40 single entry (stay up to 90 days), US$90 multiple entry. KVAC collects in rupees at its rate – about ₹3,600 single / ₹8,100 multiple on our last check; express processing about ₹6,300. Check the current fee on the KVAC site. Non-refundable. |
| Centre / VFS fee | KVAC (operated by VFS Global) service charge about ₹1,600 per application; courier extra if you want the passport sent to Kerala. |
| Visa Xpert service charge | Ask us for a quote – call or WhatsApp +91 89211 53604. Government and KVAC fees are paid separately at the centre. |
| Standard processing time | Around 10–15 working days from submission at KVAC Chennai; up to a few weeks in peak season (April–June, October–December). An express service with a shorter minimum is available at Chennai for an extra fee. |
| Stay / validity | Single entry: up to 90 days per stay, visa valid 3 months from issue. Multiple entry: usually 30 days per stay, valid 1–5 years, for applicants with previous Korean or OECD travel or certain professions. |
| Where you apply from Kerala | No Korean visa centre in Kochi Kerala is under the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea, Chennai. Submit at KVAC Chennai (Fagun Towers, Egmore) or KVAC Bengaluru. Submission can be made by an authorised representative or travel agency; we arrange it. |
| Form / portal | Paper visa application form (downloaded from KVAC/Consulate, signed) with originals and copies. Indian nationals cannot use K-ETA; group e-visas exist only for designated travel agencies. |
| Checked on | 4 November 2026 |
Plain words: KVAC is the Korea Visa Application Centre run by VFS Global for the Korean Consulate. C-3-9 is the visa code for ordinary tourists. K-ETA is Korea’s online travel authorisation – not available to Indian passports.
South Korea tourist visa documents
KVAC follows the Consulate’s checklist strictly. Originals plus copies, in order; we prepare the set in Kochi so the Chennai submission is a formality.
Forms and identity
- Visa application form, completed and signed
- One photo 35 × 45 mm, white background, taken within 6 months
- Passport valid at least 6 months with 2 blank pages, plus old passports
- Copy of Aadhaar or PAN
Money
- Personal bank statement for the last 6 months, stamped
- Income-tax returns (ITR) for the last 2–3 years
- Salary slips for 3 months or Form 16; business proof for self-employed
Work and ties
- Employment letter with designation, salary and approved leave
- Company registration and bank statement for business owners
- Enrolment letter for students; pension proof for retired applicants
Trip
- Day-by-day itinerary
- Flight reservation (return) and hotel bookings for every night
- Covering letter explaining purpose, dates and funds
- Travel insurance (recommended)
Family and children
- Marriage certificate and children’s birth certificates
- Consent letter if a child travels with one parent
Good to know
- Previous Korean, Japanese, Schengen, UK or US visas help – include copies
- Fees are not refunded if the Consulate refuses
- Allow extra time for the passport to return from Chennai to Kerala
Step by step: Korea visa from Kochi
Six steps; the submission is in Chennai.
- ConsultationWe check dates, finances and travel history, and advise single or multiple entry.
- Forms and lettersApplication form, itinerary and covering letter prepared with you in Kochi.
- File assemblyStatements, ITR, bookings and copies arranged in KVAC’s order; photo checked.
- Submission at KVAC ChennaiAttend in person or through an authorised representative. Pay the visa fee and KVAC charge in rupees.
- Consulate decisionAround 10–15 working days. We track the status and respond to any request.
- Passport backCollect at KVAC Chennai or by courier to Kerala. Check the visa dates before booking tickets.
How Visa Xpert helps with your Korea visa
The Consulate General of Korea decides; we never promise a visa. We prepare a complete file in Kochi and take the Chennai logistics off your plate.
- Honest checkIf the file is weak on funds or ties, we tell you before you spend on fees.
- Forms and letters done rightApplication form, itinerary and cover letter in the format the Consulate expects.
- Chennai submission arrangedAppointment, representative submission where allowed, and courier return of the passport.
- TrackingKVAC status follow-up until your passport is back in Kerala.
2026 notes for Korea travellers from Kerala
What to expect this year
- No Kochi centre: KVAC operates in Chennai and Bengaluru for South India. Plan one trip or use a representative.
- Fee in dollars: KVAC revises the rupee amount with the exchange rate – confirm on the day.
- Peak seasons are slower: cherry-blossom (April) and autumn (October–November) applications take longer; apply 4–6 weeks ahead.
- Multiple entry: previous visits to Korea or to OECD countries, or professional status, can earn a 1–5-year multiple-entry visa.
- K-ETA not for Indians: a visa is always needed for Indian passports.
- Transit: staying inside Incheon transit does not need a visa; leaving the airport does.
South Korea tourist visa: frequently asked questions
Is there a South Korea visa centre in Kochi?
No. Kerala falls under the Consulate General of Korea in Chennai, and applications are submitted at the Korea Visa Application Centre (KVAC) in Chennai or Bengaluru. We prepare the file in Kochi and arrange the Chennai submission.
How much does a South Korea tourist visa cost from Kerala?
The fee is set in US dollars – US$40 for a single-entry short-stay visa, US$90 for multiple entry – and collected by KVAC in rupees (about ₹3,600 and ₹8,100 on our last check), plus a KVAC service charge of about ₹1,600. Visa Xpert quotes its service charge per case. Check the current rupee amount on the KVAC site before paying.
How long does the Korea visa take?
Around 10–15 working days after submission at KVAC Chennai, longer in peak seasons. An express option with a shorter minimum is available at Chennai for an extra fee. Allow time for the passport to travel back to Kerala.
Can I apply for a multiple-entry Korea visa?
Yes, if you qualify – for example previous visits to Korea, multiple visits to OECD countries, or certain professions and income levels. Multiple-entry visas allow 30 days per stay and are valid 1–5 years.
How much bank balance should I show?
There is no published minimum. Six months of statements with steady income and savings that comfortably cover flights, hotels and daily costs, plus ITR, are what the Consulate looks for.
Do I have to go to Chennai myself?
Submission can be made through an authorised representative or travel agency in many cases, and the passport can be couriered back. We tell you which option applies to your file.
Can Indians use K-ETA instead of a visa?
No. Indian passport holders are not eligible for K-ETA and always need a visa to enter South Korea.
Is Visa Xpert part of KVAC or the Korean Consulate?
No. Visa Xpert is an independent consultancy in Kochi since 2015. The Consulate General decides; KVAC (VFS) receives the file. We prepare and track your application – no guarantees.
Official sources
- Korea Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) – India
- Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chennai – Visa notices
- Korea Visa Portal (Ministry of Justice)
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea in India – Visa
Last checked: 4 November 2026. Government fees, exchange rates and processing times change; we confirm the latest before you pay anything.
Planning a trip to Korea?
WhatsApp your dates and passport photo. We will confirm the current KVAC fee, send the checklist and quote the same day.
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Visa Xpert · North Mulloth House, Ravipuram Junction, opposite HDFC House, MG Road, Kochi 682016 · Mon–Fri 9:30 am – 6:30 pm, Sat 9:30 am – 3 pm