If you are a South Korean passport holder, 2024 opens up a world of travel opportunities for you! With your passport, you can visit 148 countries and territories without needing a visa. This means easier planning, less paperwork, and more spontaneous adventures. Here’s a comprehensive guide to where you can go, what you can do there, and other visa options available to you.
1. Visa-Free Destinations: Exploring without Boundaries
South Korean citizens enjoy the freedom to travel to many parts of the world without the hassle of applying for a visa beforehand. Countries ranging from the United States and the United Kingdom to Japan and Brazil are all on the list. Whether you want to experience the vibrant culture of Italy, the serene landscapes of New Zealand, or the bustling markets of Morocco, you can do so freely. Remember to check your passport’s validity—it should be valid for at least six months beyond your date of departure—and some countries might require you to have travel health insurance.
As a South Korean passport holder, you have the privilege to embark on adventures across the globe without the need for a visa to 148 countries and territories. This opens up a world of diverse cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable experiences right at your fingertips. Here’s the full list of destinations where you can travel visa-free, each adorned with its national flag for a visual touch.
🇦🇱 Albania
🇦🇸 American Samoa
🇦🇩 Andorra
🇦🇴 Angola
🇦🇮 Anguilla
🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇦🇲 Armenia
🇦🇼 Aruba
🇦🇺 Australia
🇦🇹 Austria
🇧🇸 Bahamas
🇧🇧 Barbados
🇧🇾 Belarus
🇧🇪 Belgium
🇧🇿 Belize
🇧🇲 Bermuda
🇧🇶 Caribbean Netherlands
🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina
🇧🇼 Botswana
🇧🇷 Brazil
🇻🇬 British Virgin Islands
🇧🇳 Brunei
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
🇨🇦 Canada
🇨🇱 Chile
🇨🇴 Colombia
🇨🇰 Cook Islands
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
🇭🇷 Croatia
🇨🇼 Curaçao
🇨🇾 Cyprus
🇨🇿 Czechia
🇩🇰 Denmark
🇩🇲 Dominica
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic
🇪🇨 Ecuador
🇸🇻 El Salvador
🇪🇪 Estonia
🇫🇰 Falkland Islands
🇫🇴 Faroe Islands
🇫🇯 Fiji
🇫🇮 Finland
🇫🇷 France
🇬🇫 French Guiana
🇵🇫 French Polynesia
🇬🇵 French West Indies
🇬🇪 Georgia
🇩🇪 Germany
🇬🇮 Gibraltar
🇬🇷 Greece
🇬🇱 Greenland
🇬🇩 Grenada
🇬🇺 Guam
🇬🇹 Guatemala
🇬🇾 Guyana
🇭🇳 Honduras
🇭🇰 Hong Kong
🇭🇺 Hungary
🇮🇸 Iceland
🇮🇪 Ireland
🇮🇱 Israel
🇮🇹 Italy
🇯🇲 Jamaica
🇯🇵 Japan
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
🇰🇪 Kenya
🇰🇮 Kiribati
🇽🇰 Kosovo
🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan
🇱🇦 Laos
🇱🇻 Latvia
🇱🇸 Lesotho
🇱🇮 Liechtenstein
🇱🇹 Lithuania
🇱🇺 Luxembourg
🇲🇴 Macau
🇲🇾 Malaysia
🇲🇹 Malta
🇲🇺 Mauritius
🇾🇹 Mayotte
🇲🇽 Mexico
🇫🇲 Micronesia
🇲🇩 Moldova
🇲🇨 Monaco
🇲🇳 Mongolia
🇲🇪 Montenegro
🇲🇸 Montserrat
🇲🇦 Morocco
🇲🇿 Mozambique
🇳🇱 Netherlands
🇳🇨 New Caledonia
🇳🇿 New Zealand
🇳🇮 Nicaragua
🇳🇺 Niue
🇲🇰 North Macedonia
🇲🇵 Northern Mariana Islands
🇳🇴 Norway
🇴🇲 Oman
🇵🇸 Palestine
🇵🇦 Panama
🇵🇾 Paraguay
🇵🇪 Peru
🇵🇭 Philippines
🇵🇱 Poland
🇵🇹 Portugal
🇵🇷 Puerto Rico
🇶🇦 Qatar
🇷🇪 Réunion
🇷🇴 Romania
🇷🇺 Russia
🇼🇸 Samoa
🇸🇲 San Marino
🇸🇹 São Tomé and Príncipe
🇸🇳 Senegal
🇷🇸 Serbia
🇸🇨 Seychelles
🇸🇬 Singapore
🇸🇰 Slovakia
🇸🇮 Slovenia
🇿🇦 South Africa
🇪🇸 Spain
🇰🇳 Saint Kitts and Nevis
🇱🇨 Saint Lucia
🇲🇫 Saint Martin
🇻🇨 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
🇸🇷 Suriname
🇸🇪 Sweden
🇨🇭 Switzerland
🇹🇼 Taiwan
🇹🇯 Tajikistan
🇹🇭 Thailand
🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago
🇹🇳 Tunisia
🇹🇨 Turks and Caicos Islands
🇹🇷 Türkiye
🇻🇮 United States Virgin Islands
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇺🇸 United States
🇺🇾 Uruguay
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
🇻🇺 Vanuatu
🇻🇦 Vatican City
🇻🇪 Venezuela
🇻🇳 Vietnam
🇿🇲 Zambia
🇸🇿 Eswatini
Feel free to explore these fascinating destinations as they are just a flight away without the burden of obtaining a visa.
2. eVisas: The Digital Gateway
For those destinations where a visa is still required, many countries offer an eVisa option to South Korean travelers. This digital approach simplifies the visa application process, allowing you to apply online without visiting an embassy. Countries like Myanmar, Nigeria, and Uganda are part of this list. After your visa application is approved, you’ll receive confirmation via email along with a document you need to print and carry during your travel.
🇧🇯 Benin
🇧🇹 Bhutan
🇧🇫 Burkina Faso
🇨🇲 Cameroon
🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
🇨🇮 Ivory Coast
🇩🇯 Djibouti
🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea
🇬🇦 Gabon
🇬🇳 Guinea
🇮🇷 Iran
🇲🇲 Myanmar
🇳🇬 Nigeria
🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea
🇸🇸 South Sudan
🇹🇬 Togo
🇺🇬 Uganda
3. Visa on Arrival: Last-Minute Access
In some cases, you can decide to travel on a whim and get your visa right at the destination. This is possible in 36 countries for South Korean passport holders, including exotic destinations like Maldives, Lebanon, and Tanzania. Upon arrival, head to the designated sections at the airport to apply for and receive your visa on arrival.
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan
🇧🇭 Bahrain
🇧🇩 Bangladesh
🇧🇴 Bolivia
🇧🇮 Burundi
🇰🇭 Cambodia
🇨🇻 Cabo Verde
🇰🇲 Comoros
🇪🇬 Egypt
🇪🇹 Ethiopia
🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau
🇮🇳 India
🇮🇩 Indonesia
🇯🇴 Jordan
🇰🇼 Kuwait
🇱🇧 Lebanon
🇲🇬 Madagascar
🇲🇼 Malawi
🇲🇻 Maldives
🇲🇭 Marshall Islands
🇲🇷 Mauritania
🇳🇦 Namibia
🇳🇵 Nepal
🇵🇰 Pakistan
🇵🇼 Palau
🇷🇼 Rwanda
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone
🇸🇧 Solomon Islands
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
🇸🇭 Saint Helena
🇹🇿 Tanzania
🇹🇱 Timor-Leste
🇹🇴 Tonga
🇹🇻 Tuvalu
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
How Visa on Arrival Works
If you’re heading to any of the countries listed above, you’ll have the benefit of processing your entry permit right at the airport or border crossing. Typically, travelers are directed to a specific section where they need to fill out documents, pay the required visa fee, and provide necessary proof of onward travel or accommodation bookings if required.
This system is particularly advantageous for last-minute trips or for destinations that may have lengthy pre-approval procedures for traditional visas. It allows you the flexibility to make travel decisions that suit your schedule while still adhering to regulatory requirements. Just make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival and that you have all necessary travel documents ready to present.
4. Countries with Restrictions
There are a few restrictions that South Korean travelers should be aware of. Due to safety concerns, South Koreans are not allowed to enter countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. These restrictions are often based on serious risks such as conflict or terrorism.
5. APEC Business Travel Benefits
For business travelers, holding an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) can be a significant advantage. This card facilitates easier travel between member economies like China, Russia, and Australia, among others. Benefits of the ABTC include visa-free entry, faster airport processing times, and easier visa appointments for travels to the United States.
With the APEC card tucked in your wallet, you can efficiently enter the following countries:
🇦🇺 Australia
🇧🇳 Brunei
🇨🇱 Chile
🇨🇳 China
🇭🇰 Hong Kong
🇮🇩 Indonesia
🇯🇵 Japan
🇲🇾 Malaysia
🇲🇽 Mexico
🇳🇿 New Zealand
🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea
🇵🇪 Peru
🇵🇭 Philippines
🇷🇺 Russia
🇸🇬 Singapore
🇹🇭 Thailand
🇹🇼 Taiwan
🇻🇳 Vietnam
Benefits of the APEC Business Travel Card
The ABTC is more than just a travel document; it is a gateway to enhanced business mobility within the APEC member economies. Here are the key benefits enjoyed by ABTC holders:
- Visa-Free Entry: Allows for seamless entry to all participating APEC economies, fostering easier face-to-face interactions and property and equipment tours.
- Streamlined Immigration: Enjoy faster immigration processing through designated APEC lanes at international airports, which minimizes wait times significantly.
- Business Facilitation: Engage in lawful business activities in the participating economies without the bureaucratic hassle that often accompanies business travel.
- Accelerated Visa Appointments: In transitional economies like the United States where ABTC does not provide visa-free entry, holders still benefit from faster visa interview appointments.
How to Maximize Your ABTC Experience
To make the most of your APEC Business Travel Card:
- Plan Ahead: Even with streamlined processes, always check the latest entry requirements and updates from the countries you plan to visit.
- Keep Documents Ready: Have all required documentation at hand, especially proof of business activities or invitations from host organizations which may be required upon entry.
- Network Efficiently: Use the time saved from faster border controls to enhance your business connections and explore new opportunities.
6. Traditional Visa Requirements
Despite the extensive list of visa-free and eVisa countries, some destinations still require South Koreans to apply for a traditional visa. This includes countries like China, Cuba, and North Korea. It’s essential to plan ahead and prepare the necessary documentation for these visas.
🇩🇿 Algeria
🇰🇾 Cayman Islands
🇨🇫 Central African Republic
🇹🇩 Chad
🇨🇳 China
🇨🇬 Republic of the Congo
🇨🇺 Cuba
🇪🇷 Eritrea
🇬🇭 Ghana
🇱🇷 Liberia
🇲🇱 Mali
🇳🇷 Nauru
🇳🇪 Niger
🇰🇵 North Korea
🇬🇲 Gambia
🇹🇲 Turkmenistan
Traveling in 2024 is looking brighter and more accessible for South Korean passport holders. With a wide range of visa-free countries, the convenience of eVisas, and the option for visas on arrival, world exploration is just a passport away. Always ensure to verify travel requirements before your departure to enjoy a smooth and enjoyable journey. Whether you are traveling for pleasure, business, or a bit of both, the globe is welcoming you with open arms. So pack your bags and get ready to explore!
