🇨🇳China

🇰🇷South KoreaCN-KR

China to South Korea visa requirements

Q: Does Jeju have separate rules?

Jeju has special visa-free arrangements, but mainland Korea and transfers have conditions. Verify the exact itinerary before relying on Jeju rules.

Q: What fee applies to Chinese group tourists?

The Korea Visa Portal lists USD 15 per person for Chinese group tourist visa applications through designated agencies.

Q: Can a C-3 visa be multiple-entry?

Yes in some cases, but first-time tourism applications are often single-entry unless the applicant qualifies for a multiple-entry category.

Usually yes; eligible Chinese tourists in designated groups of 3+ have a temporary visa-free channel. Mainland Chinese ordinary passport holders are not on Korea's K-ETA visa-waiver list, so individual tourism normally requires a Korean C-3 short-term visa. From September 29, 2025 to June 30, 2026, Chinese group tourists recruited by designated travel agencies in groups of 3 or more may enter visa-free for up to 15 days under the temporary B-2 group-tour pilot.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-19

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-19

Visa type

C-3 tourist visa / temporary B-2 group visa-free pilot

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days on C-3; 15 days for eligible pilot groups

per entry

Entries

Single, double, or multiple for visas; pilot entry is group-itinerary based

from issue date

Visa fee

US$40 standard short-stay single; no Korean visa fee for eligible pilot admission

consular fee only

Processing time

Consulate, visa center, or group-list screening dependent

standard track

Validity

Usually 3 months for single-entry

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Choose individual or group path

Independent tourists should apply for a C-3 visa. The temporary visa-free pilot is limited to eligible Chinese group tours of 3 or more travellers handled by designated agencies.

· C-3· 3+ group pilot

/02

If applying individually

Prepare application form, passport, photo, Chinese ID/residence proof, employment, funds, itinerary, hotel, and flight evidence.

· documents· visa center

/03

If using group pilot

Confirm the domestic Korea tour agency and China-side travel agency are designated for the program and that the group list is submitted before travel.

· designated agencies· 15 days

/04

Submit or register

Use the Korean consulate, visa center, or group-tour registration channel applicable to your city and itinerary.

· jurisdiction· status check

/05

Carry proof on arrival

Bring visa grant notice or group-tour documents, return ticket, hotel details, and tour itinerary.

· arrival· border check

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

11 items

Personalized checklist

China -> South Korea · C-3 tourist visa / temporary B-2 group visa-free pilot

0 / 11 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredChinese ordinary passport

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Valid for the planned Korea stay

RequiredVisa form or group registration proof

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Depends on individual vs group route

RequiredPhoto

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

Recent visa-compliant photo

RequiredChinese ID / hukou / residence proof

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

As required by the Korean mission or center

RequiredEmployment or student evidence

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Leave letter, salary, business license, or enrollment proof

RequiredFunds proof

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

Recent bank statement and income evidence

RequiredFlights and accommodation

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Dates must match the application or group tour

RequiredTour itinerary / group list proof

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Required for temporary group visa-free pilot travellers

RequiredOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesK-ETA — Eligible Countries / Applicants (no visible page date)Korea Visa Portal — Apply for Visa (no visible page date)Korea Visa Portal — Visa Application Fee for Each Visa Type (no visible page date)

Application link included: K-ETA — Eligible Countries / Applicants (no visible page date)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Temporary group visa-free pilotUS$0No Korean visa fee if admitted under the pilot

C-3 short-term single visaUS$40Korea Visa Portal

Chinese group tourist visa feeUS$15Only when a visa is applied through a designated agency

Visa center / agency service feeVariesIf applicable

Courier / photo / printingOptionalIf applicable

Total estimateUS$0 pilot / US$40 individual — US$100+incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Individual C-3

Mission-dependent

Depends on the consulate and application center handling the file.

Group visa-free list screening

Agency / immigration dependent

Designated tour operators submit group lists under the temporary pilot.

Additional verification

Variable

Employment, bank, travel-history, or prior-refusal checks can delay decisions.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Not eligible for group pilot

The 2025-2026 visa-free channel is not for ordinary independent tourism or non-designated group arrangements.

High

/02

Weak funds or ties

Individual C-3 files need credible work, study, family, and financial evidence.

High

/03

Itinerary conflicts

Flight, hotel, and stated purpose do not match.

Medium

/04

Agency or group-list issue

Pilot travellers need a valid designated-agency route and pre-submitted group list.

Medium

/05

Prior immigration issue

Previous overstays or refusals in Korea or elsewhere increase scrutiny.

Medium

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Carry your visa grant notice or visa-free group documents, hotel address, and return ticket. Entry remains at the border officer's discretion.

/02

Arrival forms

Complete any current arrival, health, or customs declaration required by your airline or Korean immigration before inspection.

/03

Connectivity

Airport SIMs, eSIMs, and transport cards are easy to buy at Incheon, Gimpo, Busan, and major convenience stores.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-06-19

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-19

Official-source fact-check refreshed

Confirmed Mainland China is absent from the K-ETA visa-waiver list, Korea Visa Portal fees remain US$40 for standard short-stay single visas, and the temporary 3+ Chinese group-tour B-2 pilot runs September 29, 2025 to June 30, 2026.

2025-09-29 · major

Chinese group tourist visa-free pilot began

Korean official notices describe a temporary program running until June 30, 2026 for specified Chinese group tours.

/09 — The questions