South Korea entry requirements for Latvia passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 19, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Latvian passport holders can visit South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days. This covers tourism, short business trips, or transit. No visa is needed for stays under 90 days in 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport needs to be valid for the entire time you're in South Korea. Airlines sometimes enforce a 6-month validity rule, but Korean immigration only requires it to cover your stay. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from South Korea | Immigration officers routinely ask for a return or onward ticket at the counter. Have a printed or digital copy of your flight out of Korea ready. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | You may be asked where you're staying during the interview. A hotel confirmation or a letter from your host works fine. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Officers rarely ask, but having a bank statement or credit card showing available funds (around ₩1,000,000 or equivalent) covers you if they do. | Recommended |
| K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) Online pre-travel authorization | As of 2025, Latvia passport holders do not need a K-ETA for visa-free stays up to 90 days. No action required before travel.Apply online | Optional |
Passport validity counts from entry date
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive in South Korea, not from your departure date. If your passport expires within 6 months of your arrival, renew it before you travel.
Arrival card is required
You'll need to fill out an arrival card on the plane or at the airport. Keep it with your passport — you'll hand it to the immigration officer. Don't lose the stub if given one; you may need it when leaving.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare your documents
Before you leave, check your passport validity (6+ months from entry), print or screenshot your return ticket, and save your first night's hotel booking confirmation. Also download a local SIM/eSIM if you want data on arrival.
2
Arrive at the airport in South Korea
At Incheon (Seoul), Gimhae (Busan), or Jeju airports, follow signs to 'Foreign Passports' or 'Arrivals'. Join the queue for visa-free entry. Have your passport, boarding pass, and return ticket ready.
3
Complete the arrival card
On the plane or at the airport, fill out the arrival card (usually handed out by cabin crew). It asks for your name, passport number, flight number, address in Korea, and duration of stay. Keep it with your passport.
4
Present documents to immigration officer
Hand over your passport and arrival card. The officer may ask: purpose of visit, how long you're staying, where you're staying. Answer briefly and honestly. They may also ask to see your return ticket or hotel booking.
5
Get your entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with a date of entry and a permitted stay (usually 90 days). Check the stamp before leaving the counter. Keep the arrival card stub if given — you may need it when leaving.
6
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, collect your checked bags from the carousel, then proceed through customs (green channel if nothing to declare). You're now in South Korea.
Download South Korea Entry Checklist
PDF · Latvia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 19, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost₩60,000 (~$45 USD)
For stays up to 90 days; apply at Korean embassy in Latvia.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost₩90,000 (~$68 USD)
For frequent travellers; must meet eligibility criteria.
Work visa (E-7)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost₩100,000 (~$75 USD)
Requires a job offer from a Korean employer and relevant qualifications.
Student visa (D-2)
Max stayDuration of studies
ValidityUp to 2 years
Cost₩80,000 (~$60 USD)
For enrolled students at Korean educational institutions.
work visa
E-7 Work Visa
1 year, renewable
₩100,000 (~$75 USD) application fee
For skilled professionals with a job offer in South Korea. Requires employer sponsorship and relevant qualifications. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
D-2 Student Visa
Up to 2 years, renewable
₩80,000 (~$60 USD) application fee
For international students enrolled in a Korean university or graduate program. Allows part-time work with permission.
investor visa
D-8 Investor Visa
1 year, renewable
₩100,000 (~$75 USD) application fee
For foreign investors who invest at least ₩100 million (~$75,000 USD) in a Korean business. Requires business plan and proof of funds.
retirement visa
F-2 Residence Visa (for retirees)
3 years, renewable
₩100,000 (~$75 USD) application fee
For retirees aged 55+ with sufficient income (approx. ₩30 million/year) and health insurance. Allows long-term stay without work.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)K-ETA is temporarily not required for visa-free travellers; check latest updates. | Free (currently suspended until 2025) |
| Stay extension feeVisa-free stay is not extendable; must leave and re-enter or apply for a visa. | Not applicable |
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays longer than 90 days or if visa is required. | ₩60,000 (~$45 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Valid for multiple entries within validity period. | ₩90,000 (~$68 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayPenalties apply for overstaying visa-free period. | ₩100,000 (~$75 USD) per day, max ₩3,000,000 (~$2,250 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
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
No transit visa needed
Latvia passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through South Korean airports, provided they stay in the international transit area and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the transit area, a visa or visa-free entry applies.
- Travellers with a confirmed onward ticket to a third country within 24 hours may transit without visa.
Transit hubsIncheon International Airport (ICN) · Gimpo International Airport (GMP) · Jeju International Airport (CJU)
Health & vaccines for South Korea
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidConsiderRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, influenza)EssentialJapanese EncephalitisConsiderRabiesConsider
Health risks
Air pollutionModerate risk
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can be high, especially in winter; consider masks if sensitive.
Foodborne illnessLow risk
Standard hygiene is good, but travellers should avoid undercooked meat and street food if concerned.
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, Gonghang-daero, Gangseo-gu, Seoul
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00
Main office for visa extensions and re-entry permits; arrive early to avoid long queues.
Busan
Busan Immigration Office
100, Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00
Handles visa-related matters for the southern region.
Practical information for LV 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 = 1,507.66 KRW
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
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to South Korea — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
No. The visa-free stay is not extendable. You must leave before the 90 days are up. Overstaying can result in fines, detention, and a ban from re-entering. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a different visa (e.g., tourist visa extension or long-stay visa) before your 90 days expire.
You cannot extend the visa-free stay. You would need to apply for a long-stay visa (e.g., student visa, work visa, or a tourist visa extension) at a Korean embassy or consulate before you travel. For tourism, the 90-day visa-free period is the maximum.
No. Visa-free entry covers short business trips (meetings, conferences, negotiations) as long as you don't receive a salary from a Korean company. If you plan to work or earn income in Korea, you need a work visa.
Yes. The visa-free entry is valid for multiple entries as long as each stay does not exceed 90 days. However, immigration may question frequent short trips. If you plan to stay for 90 days, leave, and return immediately, you might be refused entry. It's best to have a clear gap between visits.
Overstaying is taken seriously. You may be fined (up to several hundred USD), detained, and banned from re-entering South Korea for a period (often 1-5 years depending on the overstay length). Always leave before your stamp expires.
It's not a formal requirement, but immigration officers may ask how you'll support yourself during your stay. Having a credit card or a bank statement on your phone is usually enough. If you look like you might work illegally, they may ask for more proof.
Technically yes, but it's risky. Immigration may ask for proof of onward travel. If you don't have a return or onward ticket, you could be refused entry. Always have a confirmed ticket out of Korea before you fly.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 19, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.