Will South Korea Extend Visa Fee Waiver for Tourists?
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Synopsis
Seoul's recent decision to extend the visa fee waiver for group tourists from six countries, including India, marks a significant boost for the travel industry. This initiative aims to enhance South Korea's tourism recovery as it continues to attract international visitors in the post-pandemic era.
Key Takeaways
- Visa Fee Waiver Extension: The waiver for group tourists from six countries is extended for six months.
- Targeted Countries: The extension includes China, India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Cambodia.
- Processing Fee: Current processing fee for C-3-2 visas is 18,000 won.
- Tourism Recovery: November saw a 17.3% rise in foreign visitors compared to last year.
- Record Projections: Expected to exceed 18.7 million foreign visitors this year.
Seoul, Dec 31 (NationPress) South Korea has decided to extend the waiver on visa processing fees for an additional six months for group tourists from six nations, including China, as announced by the finance minister on Wednesday.
According to Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol, the exemption for C-3-2 visas, which was initially scheduled to end on Wednesday, will continue until the end of June next year, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
The six nations benefiting from this extension include China, India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Cambodia.
Koo emphasized that this initiative aims to sustain the momentum in inbound tourism. Currently, the processing fees for C-3-2 visas are priced at 18,000 won (approximately US$12.46).
In addition, the number of international visitors to South Korea saw a significant increase in November, rising by 17.3 percent compared to the previous year, indicating a recovery in the tourism sector to pre-pandemic levels, according to official reports.
As per data from the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), nearly 1.6 million foreign tourists visited South Korea in November, an increase from 1.36 million last year, and a 9.6 percent rise compared to the same month in 2019, before the pandemic.
China remained the largest contributor of visitors, with 378,000 arrivals, followed by Japan with 363,000, Taiwan with 158,000, the United States with 133,000, and the Philippines with 60,000, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
While the number of tourists from China has recovered to about 75 percent of 2019 levels, arrivals from Japan saw a notable surge of 40.4 percent compared to the corresponding period.
From January to November, South Korea welcomed 17.42 million foreign tourists, marking a 15.4 percent increase from last year and an 8.6 percent increase over 2019 figures, according to the KTO. Visitors from China made up 29.2 percent, approximately 5.09 million, of the total.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism anticipates that the annual count of foreign visitors will exceed 18.7 million this year, setting a new record and approaching the significant milestone of 20 million.
Point of View
This extension of the visa fee waiver is a strategic move that underscores South Korea's commitment to rejuvenating its tourism sector. By targeting key markets such as India and China, the government aims to attract more visitors and bolster economic recovery, which has been significantly affected by the pandemic. This initiative reflects a broader trend of nations prioritizing tourism as a vital component of economic revitalization.
NationPress
31/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What countries are included in the visa fee waiver extension?
The visa fee waiver extension includes group tourists from China, India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Cambodia.
How long will the visa fee waiver be extended?
The visa fee waiver will be extended for an additional six months, until the end of June next year.
What is the current processing fee for C-3-2 visas?
The current processing fee for C-3-2 visas is 18,000 won, which is approximately US$12.46.
How did foreign tourist numbers change in November?
In November, the number of foreign visitors to South Korea increased by 17.3% compared to the previous year.
What is the projected number of foreign visitors for this year?
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism projects that the number of foreign visitors will surpass 18.7 million this year.
