South Korea entry requirements for Indonesia passport holders

Updated weekly · Last reviewed August 6, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Indonesian passport holders must obtain a visa before traveling to South Korea. There is no visa-on-arrival or eVisa option for Indonesian citizens, so you need to apply at a South Korean embassy or consulate in advance.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
South Korean visaYou cannot get a visa on arrival; you must apply in advance.
Apply at embassy/consulate
Indonesian passport holders must obtain a visa before traveling to South Korea. Apply at the nearest South Korean embassy or consulate; eVisa is not available for Indonesian citizens.Required
Passport validityCheck your passport expiry date well before your trip.
At least 6 months
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of departure from South Korea.Required
Blank passport pagesThe page must be blank, not just a page with other stamps.
At least 1 blank page
Your passport must have at least one blank visa page for the entry stamp.Required
Return or onward ticketImmigration officers often ask for this at check-in or arrival.
Proof of departure
You may be asked to show a confirmed return or onward flight ticket proving you will leave South Korea before your visa expires.Required
Proof of fundsNot always requested, but it helps to have proof if asked.
Sufficient for stay
Carry evidence of sufficient funds (e.g., bank statements, credit cards) to cover your expenses during your stay in South Korea.Recommended
Arrival declarationYou do not need to fill out an online arrival form.
Not required
No separate arrival declaration is required for Indonesian citizens entering South Korea.Not required
eVisa applicationDo not attempt to apply online; it will not be accepted.
Not eligible
Indonesian passport holders are not eligible for South Korea's eVisa program. You must apply through an embassy or consulate.Not required
No eVisa or visa-on-arrival for Indonesian citizens
Even though South Korea offers eVisa for some nationalities, Indonesian passport holders are not eligible. You must apply through the embassy or consulate — there is no shortcut.
Apply well in advance
Processing can take up to 2 weeks, and during holidays (like Chuseok or summer) it may be longer. Don't book non-refundable flights until your visa is approved.

What happens at the border

1
Prepare your documents
Gather all required documents: passport, photos, application form, itinerary, financial proof, and employment/study proof. Make sure your passport has at least one blank page.
2
Submit your application at the embassy or consulate
Visit the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Jakarta (or the consulate in your region) in person. You may need to book an appointment in advance. Bring all original documents plus photocopies.
3
Pay the visa fee and wait for processing
Pay the fee at the embassy. Standard processing takes 5–7 working days, but can take longer during peak seasons. You may be asked for additional documents or an interview.
4
Collect your passport with the visa
Once approved, you'll get your passport back with the visa sticker. Check the visa validity dates and the number of entries allowed. If anything looks wrong, contact the embassy immediately.
5
Arrive in South Korea and go through immigration
At Incheon or Gimpo airport, join the 'Foreign Passport' queue. Have your passport, visa, and arrival card (filled out on the plane) ready. The officer may ask about your itinerary and accommodation — answer clearly.
Download South Korea Entry Checklist
PDF · Indonesia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated August 6, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Multiple-entry visa (1 year)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost$90 (approx. 120,000 KRW)

For frequent travelers; requires proof of prior travel to Korea.

Business visa (C-3-4)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$40 (approx. 55,000 KRW)

Requires invitation letter from Korean company.

Working holiday visa (H-1)
Max stay1 year
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost$60 (approx. 80,000 KRW)

For Indonesians aged 18-30; limited quota.

work visa
E-7 Work Visa
Up to 2 years, renewable
KRW 60,000 (~$45 USD) + employer fees
For skilled professionals with a job offer in Korea. Requires employer sponsorship and relevant qualifications. Allows long-term stay and family accompaniment.
student visa
D-2 Student Visa
Up to 2 years, renewable
KRW 60,000 (~$45 USD) + tuition
For international students enrolled in Korean universities. Requires admission letter and proof of funds. Allows part-time work with permission.
investor visa
D-8 Investor Visa
Up to 2 years, renewable
KRW 60,000 (~$45 USD) + investment minimum
For investors who invest at least KRW 100 million in a Korean business. Requires business plan and proof of funds. Leads to permanent residency after 5 years.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Visa application fee (single-entry, 90 days)Fee varies by embassy; payable in local currency.$40 (approx. 55,000 KRW)
Visa issuance fee (if approved)Some embassies include this in the application fee.$40 (approx. 55,000 KRW)
Visa extension fee (per extension, up to 30 days)Only for certain visa types; apply before current visa expires.$60 (approx. 80,000 KRW)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documents20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through South Korea

Transit visa required

Indonesian passport holders transiting through South Korea generally require a visa unless they qualify for the visa-free transit program (e.g., transit to/from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or certain European countries with a confirmed onward ticket and staying less than 24 hours).

Exceptions & conditions
  • Transit passengers with confirmed onward tickets to/from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or certain European countries may enter visa-free for up to 24 hours if they stay in the transit area.
  • Transit passengers who have a valid visa for the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or certain European countries may be eligible for visa-free entry for up to 30 days.
Transit hubsIncheon International Airport (ICN) · Gimpo International Airport (GMP) · Jeju International Airport (CJU)

Health & vaccines for South Korea

Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, varicella, influenza)EssentialHepatitis BRecommendedJapanese EncephalitisConsiderRabiesConsider
Health risks
Air pollutionModerate risk

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can be high in urban areas, especially during winter and spring.

Foodborne illnessLow risk

Standard hygiene practices are recommended; avoid undercooked meat and unwashed produce.

Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk

Rare but present in rural areas; consider vaccination if hiking in forests.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Seoul
Seoul Immigration Office
319, Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00

Main office for visa extensions and re-entry permits; bring passport, application form, and fee.

Busan
Busan Immigration Office
100, Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00

Handles visa issues for southern region; arrive early to avoid queues.

Practical information for ID travellers

Country basics
CapitalSeoul
LanguageKorean
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceIDP required alongside US license.
Money
CurrencySouth Korean Won (KRW)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1,543.91 KRW
updated Jul 3
Time zone
Local timeUTC+9
vs New York+14h (EST) / +13h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+17h (PST) / +16h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage220V / 60Hz
Plug types
C,FType C, F — US plugs do not fit. Bring a European adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Safe to drink. Most Koreans prefer filtered water.
Emergency numbers
Police112
Medical119
US EmbassyFind contact

Getting to South Korea

4,326 kmgreat circle distance
~6hfrom Indonesia
Find flights

Nearby destinations you can also visit

Countries close to South Korea — with your same passport.

Frequently asked questions

No. Indonesian citizens are not eligible for visa-on-arrival in South Korea. You must obtain a visa from a South Korean embassy or consulate before you travel.
Standard processing takes about 5–7 working days. However, it can take longer if the embassy needs to verify documents or during peak travel seasons. Apply at least 2–3 weeks before your planned departure.
The fee depends on the visa type: single-entry is around USD 40, double-entry around USD 60, and multiple-entry around USD 90. Fees are paid in local currency at the embassy and are non-refundable.
You will be denied a visa and likely denied boarding. Renew your passport before applying. The 6-month validity is a strict requirement.
No, the visa you receive is not extendable. You must leave before the visa expiry date. Overstaying can result in fines, deportation, and a ban on re-entry.
Yes, you need to provide hotel bookings or a letter of invitation if staying with friends or family. The embassy uses this to verify your travel plans.
You will receive a notification explaining the reason. You can reapply after addressing the issue, but the visa fee is not refunded. It's a good idea to consult the embassy for guidance before reapplying.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on August 6, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.