Hi everyone! 👋 As a traveler who loves to explore the world, I want to share one of our biggest advantages—South Korea’s passport is among the strongest in the world and gives us access to an amazing number of visa-free, eVisa, and Visa on Arrival destinations! 💪
In this blog, I’ll share a full guide to visa-free countries by continent, eVisa options, Visa on Arrival (VOA), and some useful travel tips to make your trips easier! 🧳✈️
✅ Visa-Free Countries for South Korean Passport Holders
Here’s a list of countries that allow South Korean citizens to enter visa-free, categorized by continent 🌐:
🌍 Europe (Visa-Free for South Koreans)
Country/Territory | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Austria | 90 days | Schengen |
Belgium | 90 days | Schengen |
Croatia | 90 days | Schengen |
Czechia | 90 days | Schengen |
Denmark | 90 days | Schengen |
Estonia | 90 days | Schengen |
Finland | 90 days | Schengen |
France | 90 days | Schengen |
Germany | 90 days | Schengen |
Greece | 90 days | Schengen |
Hungary | 90 days | Schengen |
Iceland | 90 days | Schengen |
Italy | 90 days | Schengen |
Latvia | 90 days | Schengen |
Lithuania | 90 days | Schengen |
Luxembourg | 90 days | Schengen |
Malta | 90 days | Schengen |
Netherlands | 90 days | Schengen |
Norway | 90 days | Schengen |
Poland | 90 days | Schengen |
Portugal | 90 days | Schengen |
Slovakia | 90 days | Schengen |
Slovenia | 90 days | Schengen |
Spain | 90 days | Schengen |
Sweden | 90 days | Schengen |
UK | 180 days | 6 months |
Ireland | 90 days | |
Russia | 60 days | Bilateral agreement |
Serbia | 90 days | |
Albania | 90 days | |
Bosnia & Herzegovina | 90 days | |
Montenegro | 90 days | |
Georgia | 365 days | 1 year |
Ukraine | 90 days | |
Turkey | 90 days | |
Moldova | 90 days | |
Romania | 90 days | EU but not Schengen |
Bulgaria | 90 days | EU but not Schengen |
North Macedonia | 90 days | |
Kosovo | 90 days |
When you see “Schengen” in the Notes column, it means the country is part of the Schengen Area in Europe.
🔎 What is the Schengen Area?
- A group of 27 European countries that have abolished internal borders.
- Travelers can move freely between these countries without border checks.
- For South Korean passport holders, you can stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Zone (not 90 days per country).
✅ Example
- If you visit France (30 days) + Germany (30 days) + Italy (30 days) = that’s 90 days total.
- You cannot then go to Spain immediately for another 90 days — you must leave the Schengen Zone and wait until you fall back under the 90/180 rule.
🚨 Common Mistake
Many travelers think each Schengen country gives you its own 90 days — but actually, it’s shared time across the whole Schengen area.
🌐Do Koreans need to apply for a Schengen visa?
No — South Korean passport holders do not need to apply for a Schengen visa for short stays. ✅
- South Koreans enjoy visa-free entry to all Schengen Area countries.
- Allowed stay: up to 90 days within any 180-day period, for tourism, visiting family/friends, or business.
- No visa application is required in advance. You just need your valid passport (usually valid for at least 3–6 months beyond your stay).
🌏 Asia
Country/Territory | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Japan | 90 days | |
Singapore | 90 days | |
Malaysia | 90 days | |
Thailand | 90 days | |
Indonesia | 30 days | |
Philippines | 30 days | |
Vietnam | 45 days | |
Taiwan | 90 days | |
Hong Kong (SAR) | 90 days | |
Macao (SAR) | 90 days | |
UAE | 90 days | Multiple entry |
Qatar | 30 days | |
Israel | 90 days | |
Brunei | 30 days | |
Kazakhstan | 30 days | |
Kyrgyzstan | 60 days | |
Mongolia | 30 days | |
Armenia | 180 days | |
Bahrain | 30 days | VOA/eVisa also |
Sri Lanka | 30 days | ETA option |
Saudi Arabia | 90 days | Tourism program |
🌎 North America & Caribbean
Country/Territory | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Canada | 180 days | eTA required if flying |
Mexico | 180 days | |
Bahamas | 90 days | |
Barbados | 180 days | |
Jamaica | 90 days | |
Saint Kitts & Nevis | 90 days | |
Saint Lucia | 42 days | 6 weeks |
Trinidad & Tobago | 90 days | |
Dominica | 180 days | |
Grenada | 90 days | |
Panama | 90 days | |
Costa Rica | 90 days | |
Guatemala | 90 days | |
El Salvador | 90 days | |
Honduras | 90 days | |
Nicaragua | 90 days | |
Belize | 90 days |
🌎 South America
Country/Territory | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Brazil | 90 days | |
Argentina | 90 days | |
Chile | 90 days | |
Peru | 183 days | ~6 months |
Ecuador | 90 days | |
Colombia | 90 days | |
Uruguay | 90 days | |
Paraguay | 90 days | |
Bolivia | 90 days |
🌍 Middle East
Country/Territory | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Turkey | 90 days | |
UAE | 90 days | |
Qatar | 30 days | |
Israel | 90 days | |
Jordan | 30 days | VOA/eVisa also |
Oman | 14 days | eVisa for longer stay |
Saudi Arabia | 90 days | Tourism eVisa program |
🌊 Oceania
Country/Territory | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Australia | 90 days | ETA required |
New Zealand | 90 days | NZeTA required |
Fiji | 120 days | |
Micronesia | 30 days | |
Samoa | 90 days | |
Tonga | 90 days | |
Vanuatu | 30 days | |
Cook Islands | 31 days | |
Niue | 30 days | |
Palau | 90 days | VOA also available |
Tuvalu | 30 days | VOA also available |
Solomon Islands | 90 days | |
French Polynesia | 90 days | |
New Caledonia | 90 days |
🌍 Africa
Country/Territory | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Morocco | 90 days | |
Tunisia | 90 days | |
South Africa | 30 days | |
Mauritius | 90 days | |
Seychelles | 90 days | Visitor’s permit on arrival |
Namibia | 90 days | |
Botswana | 90 days | |
Lesotho | 14 days | |
Gambia | 90 days | |
eSwatini (Swaziland) | 30 days | |
São Tomé & Príncipe | 15 days |
🌐 Countries Offering eVisa for South Korean Citizens
An e-Visa is a digital visa you can apply for online, super convenient! 💻
🌏 Asia
Country/Territory | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
India | 30–60 days | eVisa required unless short exemption applies |
Sri Lanka | 30 days | ETA system |
Vietnam | 90 days | eVisa, though KR has 45-day visa-free |
Azerbaijan | 30 days | ASAN eVisa |
Myanmar | 28 days | eVisa |
Pakistan | 30 days | eVisa |
Cambodia | 30 days | eVisa/VOA |
Nepal | 90 days | eVisa/VOA |
Bangladesh | 30 days | eVisa/VOA |
Tajikistan | 45 days | eVisa/VOA |
Iran | 30 days | eVisa/VOA |
Kuwait | 90 days | eVisa |
Saudi Arabia | 90 days | Tourist eVisa |
🌍 Africa
Country/Territory | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Kenya | 90 days | eTA |
Ethiopia | 90 days | eVisa |
Egypt | 30 days | eVisa |
Rwanda | 30 days | eVisa |
Uganda | 90 days | eVisa |
Zambia, Zimbabwe | 90 days | eVisa |
Benin | 30 days | eVisa |
Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Malawi, Mozambique | 30 days | eVisa |
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🌎 Americas
Country/Territory | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Suriname | 90 days | eVisa/eTourist card |
Guyana | 90 days | eVisa |
Bolivia | 90 days | eVisa/VOA |
🌊 Oceania
Country/Territory | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Papua New Guinea | 30 days | eVisa |
🛬 Countries Offering Visa on Arrival (VOA)
A Visa on Arrival (VOA) can be obtained at airports or border entry points. Perfect for spontaneous trips! ✈️
🌏 Asia
Country/Territory | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Nepal | 90 days | VOA available |
Maldives | 30 days | Free VOA |
Laos | 30 days | VOA/eVisa |
Cambodia | 30 days | VOA/eVisa |
Bangladesh | 30 days | VOA/eVisa |
Tajikistan | 45 days | Certain entry points |
🌍 Africa
Country/Territory | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Madagascar | 30 days | VOA/eVisa |
Mozambique | 30 days | VOA/eVisa |
Tanzania | 30 days | VOA/eVisa |
Comoros | 45 days | VOA |
Guinea-Bissau | 90 days | VOA |
Mauritania | 30 days | VOA |
Sierra Leone | 30 days | VOA |
Somalia | 30 days | Limited entry points |
Togo | 7 days | Short VOA |
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🌊 Oceania
Country/Territory | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Palau | 30 days | VOA (though often visa-free 90 days) |
Tuvalu | 30 days | VOA |
Samoa | 60 days | VOA option |
🚫 Countries with Restrictions for South Korean Passport Holders
- North Korea – Highly restricted, only official visits.
- Afghanistan – Unsafe for tourism.
💼 Where Can I Enter Without a Visa Using an APEC Card?
If you hold the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC), you can enter these countries without a visa for business:
APEC Country | Entry Duration |
|---|---|
Australia | 90 days |
New Zealand | 90 days |
Japan | 90 days |
Thailand | 90 days |
Vietnam | 90 days |
Papua New Guinea | 60 days |
Peru | 90 days |
Chile | 90 days |
📝 Countries That Still Require a Visa for South Koreans
Although our passport is powerful, a few countries still require visas:
- United States – Requires ESTA for 90 days visa-free entry (under VWP).
- China – Tourist visa required.
- Nigeria – Full visa required.
💡 Travel Tips for South Korean Travelers
- 🔐 Ensure passport validity (at least 6 months).
- 💸 Keep proof of hotel booking & return tickets.
- 📱 Save digital copies of travel documents.
- ✍️ Always check updated rules before traveling.
- 🧠 Respect local customs and entry requirements.
🎉 Visa-Free Travel Summary
As a South Korean passport holder, I’m thrilled to have access to nearly 190 visa-free and visa-on-arrival destinations worldwide 🌏. From weekend getaways in Japan, Singapore, or Thailand to longer stays in Europe, Oceania, and the Americas 🌴—our travel freedom is one of the best in the world!
By keeping up with visa updates, we can travel smarter and stress-free. Whether it’s beach holidays 🏖️, cultural explorations 🏰, or business trips 💼, knowing visa rules saves both time and money 💸.
👉 If you’re traveling with a South Korean passport, bookmark this 2025 visa-free list ✅. With so many amazing places just a flight away, now’s the perfect time to plan your next big adventure—no visa required! 🎒🌟
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❓ FAQs: Visa-Free Countries for Koreans
1. How many countries can South Koreans visit visa-free?
As of 2025, South Korean passport holders can visit around 190 countries/territories without needing a visa (visa-free, eVisa, or Visa on Arrival). This makes it the 2nd most powerful passport in the world, tied with Japan.2. Do Koreans need a visa to visit Europe (Schengen countries)?
No. South Koreans can travel visa-free to all 27 Schengen countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, etc.) for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. ⚠️ Starting in 2025 (expected), Koreans will need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) online before flying — but this is not a visa, just a security pre-check.3. Can Koreans travel visa-free to the USA or Canada?
USA: No. South Koreans need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). It allows 90-day visits for tourism/business. Canada: Visa-free for up to 6 months, but an eTA is required if entering by air.4. Do Koreans need a visa for China?
Yes. A visa is required for most visits (tourism, business, study, work). ✅ Exceptions: Hong Kong & Macao: Visa-free up to 90 days. Hainan province: 30-day visa-free entry for tour groups. Transit Without Visa (TWOV): 24/72/144 hours in major airports when en route to a third country.5. Which Asian countries are visa-free for Koreans?
Quite a lot, including: Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand – 90 days Vietnam – 45 days Indonesia, Philippines – 30 days Hong Kong & Macao (SARs) – 90 days UAE, Qatar, Israel – 30–90 days6. Do Koreans need visas for popular tourist spots like Bali, Maldives, or Dubai?
Bali (Indonesia): Visa-free 30 days Maldives: Visa-free / VOA 30 days Dubai (UAE): Visa-free 90 days7. What about South America and Africa?
South America: Almost all countries (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, etc.) are visa-free (90–183 days). Africa: Many visa-free too — Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, Namibia, etc.8. Do Koreans need visas for Australia and New Zealand?
Not a visa, but: Australia: Requires an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) before travel (90 days). New Zealand: Requires an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before travel (90 days).9. What’s the difference between visa-free, eVisa, and Visa on Arrival (VOA)?
Visa-free: Just show your passport, no visa required. eVisa/ETA: Apply online before traveling. Approval is electronic. Visa on Arrival (VOA): Get your visa at the airport or border upon arrival.