Any U.S. travelers wishing to enter the Republic of Korea must have a valid passport and obtain a Korean visa prior to their arrival.

Tourist and Business Visa Applications

Visa application should be made at Korean Embassies or consulates abroad. The visa applicant is required to bring their passport, application forms, a recent passport-style color photograph, and such other documents as determined by the status of stay.

Visa fees are as follows:

a. Single entry visa for a stay of no more than 90 days: USD30
b. Single entry visa for a stay of more than 90 days: USD50
c. Multiple entry visa : USD80
d. Prolongation of Re-entry Permit: USD20

*For Citizens of the United States, the multiple entry visa fee is $45, on the basis of reciprocity since the mutual agreement in 1994.
*From ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Work Visas

Visitors may obtain work visas in their home country with the endorsement of the employer in Korea. If the visitor is already in Korea, he/she must obtain the work visa from an embassy or consulate in a country outside Korea. Work visas are usually valid for 1 year from the date of issue and take about 2-4 weeks to process. Work visa extensions are possible if visitor remains with the same employer. Visitors with work visas must obtain a residence permit from the Immigration Office. Visitors engaging in remunerative activities without a work visa can be subject to fines and deportation.

*From ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Extended and Re-Entry Visas

Visitors from countries not covered under the Visa Exemption Agreements, such as U.S. citizens, must apply for a visa extension if planning to stay for more than 30 days. Depending on the situation of the consulate, the visa extension will be issued 1-3 days after submitting an application. Applicants are required to bring a completed application form, recent passport-size color photo, and the application fee. Application does not require the outbound flight ticket. Visa extensions are usually for 90 days.

All visas, including long-term, visas are for a single visit. Therefore anyone who wishes to leave the country and re-enter later on during the allowed period of stay should obtain the Re-entry Permit from the Ministry of Justice prior to departure. For business visas, the intention of activities must be clearly stated on the visa application form.

2. Purchasing Airline Tickets

Are you interested in exploring Korea? If you have a desire to visit this fascinating country, you can easily get tickets from major airlines by calling or by accessing their websites. Many airlines have flights between the U.S. and South Korea, such as Northwest Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines, Korean Air, and Asiana Airlines. In addition, websites such as http://travelocity.com and http://www.cheapflights.com offer great deals on flights to South Korea. You can also easily compare schedules and prices there. You can also search major airports near your location, including the follwing: John F. Kennedy Airport (New York), O'Hare International Airport (Chicago), Tacoma International Airport (Seattle), Dulles International Airport (D.C), San Francisco International Airport, and Los Angeles World Airport. Additionally, websites such as http://studentuniverse.com offer cheap tickets for students. Also of use may be the website for travel to any Asian country, http://www.asia.com.