As leisure travel is re-opening across the globe, South Korea is all set to welcome outbound travelers from India post two years of COVID-19 Pandemic hitting the world. Indian travelers can now apply for a short term (C-3) visa which allows foreigners to stay up to 90 days for marketing research, travel, visiting relatives, meetings or similar reasons. The visa can be applied physically at the VFS Global centers.
Effective from 01st June 2022, the VFS Global South Korea Visa application Center, New Delhi and Kolkata would accept all the visa categories Including express visa applications. Applicants would need to take prior appointment to submit the application in New Delhi, however, for Kolkata applicant can walk in without appointment to submit the application. Online appointment link would be available soon on website.
All travelers must provide a Negative COVID-19 PCR Test Result Certificate from a PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure date irrespective of their vaccination status. Fully vaccinated individuals (WHO approved emergency COVID-19 vaccine) are exempt from quarantine. These individuals must have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days, but within 180 days, or have received a booster shot (third dosage). Non-vaccinated or individuals who have not completed three doses have to undergo a mandatory quarantine of 7 days. For details related pre and post-departure mandates.
Korea Tourism Organization has launched multiple campaigns on global and regional level to encourage leisure travel to Korea. The Global campaign is called “Travel to Korea Begins Again”. KTO New Delhi has also launched a regional campaign called “Let’s Go Korea Plan”. Travel to Korea Begins Again: The global campaign targets world over travelers with a showcase of new recommended attractions like K-Drama filming sites, food, culture and unexplored regions to visit in Korea, discount offers on flights, discount coupons for local transportation, shopping and tourist attraction etc.
Let’s Go Korea Plan: The Indian campaign targets PAN India outbound travellers, with a customer centric approach. The plan was launched by KTO, New Delhi Office in April 2022, in collaboration with Shinhan Bank and Utazzo Travel. The customers have the ease to invest in monthly instalments ranging between INR 2,000 to INR 100,000 with Shinhan Bank for a duration of up to 1 year. The Shinhan bank offers an attractive rate of interest of 5.75% * per annum that can be availed at the end of the deposit period. The buyers of this monthly saving cum recurring deposit plan are entitled for exclusive discounts and money-back offers provided by Utazzo travel.
Pleased about the reopening of Korea for Indian travelers, Mr. Y.G. Choi, Director Korea Tourism Organization said “We are very excited to welcome the Indian travelers to South Korea after a long pause. We have just switched on the reset button for South Korea travel. Our offerings will be focused on new market segments like luxury and entertainment for generation Z. There are variety of assets S. Korea has in terms of luxury experiences and entertainment inspired from the world of K-pop and K-Drama shoot locations. We will also be focusing on co-working with multiple travel trade partners and make the best price options available for the Indian travelers to visit Korea.”
