Embassy fee notice dated 13 July 2026, effective 1 August 2026. Consular checklist dated 24 August 2026. Checked 17 October 2026.

No K-ETA for Indians: you need a sticker visa

The Consulate General in Mumbai states: “India is not eligible for K-ETA. All Indian nationals must obtain a visa through the Korean diplomatic mission.” Tourists apply for the C-3-9 (tourist) visa.

The Consulate General in Chennai sets out the steps: “Indian nationals must apply for Korean Visa and obtain it through the Visa Portal(www.visa.go.kr) & Visa Application Center(KVAC-VFS).” The Visa Portal says (our translation) that the form is completed online, printed with its barcode, and submitted with the passport, photo, fee and documents.

Fees from 1 August 2026

The Embassy in New Delhi’s notice says: “The revised fees for Korean Visa are as mentioned below with effect from 01 Aug. 2026.” For Indians, the fees are:

  • Single entry, up to 90 days: Rs 3,600
  • Single entry, more than 90 days: Rs 5,400
  • Multiple entry: Rs 8,100

The notice’s “Group Visa” line is blank. KVAC India, the Embassy’s “official partner”, shows the same figures. KVAC also charges a “Service Charge for Visa Applications– Rs.1600 per person (inclusive of all Taxes)”. Courier is Rs 550 per person and optional. A single-entry tourist applying via KVAC pays Rs 5,200 before courier.

Processing time

The Mumbai consulate says: “Visas are generally issued within 10 days of application. Please apply at least one month before your planned travel date.” KVAC’s indicative processing times for short-term visit visas are “15 Working Days Minimum” in New Delhi and “17 Working Days Minimum” in Kolkata. The Mumbai checklist notes: “First-time tourist visa applicants are not eligible for express service.”

Documents for a tourist (C-3-9) visa

The Mumbai consulate’s C-3-9 checklist (dated 24 August 2026) asks for:

  • Original passport (six months’ validity, two blank pages) and a copy of its first and last pages
  • One 3.5 × 4.5 cm photo, white background
  • The printed online form, signed on the last page, with your Aadhaar number as “National Identity No.”
  • Aadhaar copy, and PAN copy “if applicable”
  • A covering letter
  • Day-by-day itinerary, refundable hotel booking and refundable e-ticket
  • Two years’ income tax returns, or an explanatory statement if you have not filed any
  • Six months’ bank statements with the bank’s original seal and signature
  • Employment certificate on letterhead with company seal, or business registration/GST papers if self-employed

The checklist adds: “Digitally issued Certificate of Employment with electronic signature: Not accepted.” Minors and financially sponsored applicants need extra documents. Check your jurisdiction’s checklist before applying.

Group visa fee waiver to 31 December 2026

VISITKOREA, run by the Korea Tourism Organization, reported on 7 July 2026: “According to the Ministry of Justice, the visa fee waiver program for group tourists from six countries has been extended through December 31, 2026. Under this measure, the standard visa issuance fee of USD 15 (approximately KRW 22,500) will be waived.” India is one of the six.

Jeju: 30 days visa-free if you fly in directly

Jeju runs its own visa-free scheme. According to the Mumbai consulate, travellers “must enter Jeju Island via a direct flight or ferry for the purpose of tourism or transit, and must remain in Jeju for the entire duration of their stay. Entry through other parts of Korea (e.g., Seoul) is not permitted without a visa.” The stay allowed is “Tourist/Transit (B-2), Up to 30 days”. The consulate’s examples are written for Indians:

  • India → third country → Jeju is allowed
  • India → Seoul → Jeju is not: “A Korean visa is required for entry through Seoul.”

Are Indians excluded? No, on the official lists we found. The Korean Embassy in Singapore’s notice (2 January 2026) names the 23 countries designated by the Ministry of Justice whose nationals cannot use the scheme: “Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Cuba, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyz, Myanmar, Nigeria, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan, Yemen”. India is not on the list. The same notice says “All other nationalities” can “Enter Jeju Island without visa or K-ETA”. The KTO New Delhi office also states that Jeju “is a no visa island for Indians”.

Note for agents: Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are excluded, which matters for mixed-nationality groups.

Where to apply: the New Delhi centre and the East

Delhi applications go through KVAC’s centre at “Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Mezzanine Level Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place New Delhi- 110001”. Individual submissions run Monday to Friday, 09:00–15:00.

Northeast angle

We found no official figures on K-culture-driven travel from Manipur, Mizoram or the wider Northeast, so we make no claims about demand here. In practical terms, the KTO New Delhi office says “North & East zone applicants must apply through VFS”. The nearest KVAC is in Kolkata, at “6th Floor, Rene Tower, Plot No. AA-I, 1842 Rajdanga Main Road, Kasba, Kolkata 700107”, and KVAC gives Kolkata’s indicative processing time as 17 working days minimum. Applicants from Imphal, Aizawl or Kohima should build in time for Kolkata and confirm their jurisdiction with KVAC.

Last checked: 17 October 2026 (IST).