South Korea entry requirements for Nepal passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 25, 2026·View sources
eVisa 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
Nepali passport holders need an eVisa to enter South Korea in 2026. The eVisa must be approved before you travel — there is no visa on arrival option. Plan ahead, as processing can take several business days.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa application Apply before departure | Apply for a South Korea eVisa at the official portal. Processing takes 5–7 business days. Print the eVisa approval and carry it with your passport.Apply for eVisa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for entire stay | Your passport must be valid for the full duration of your stay in South Korea. Airlines may enforce a 6-month validity rule — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of onward travel | Immigration officers at Incheon and Gimpo airports routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed or digital copy ready. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Carry a hotel reservation or a signed invitation letter from your host in South Korea. Immigration may ask for it during entry questioning. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Bank statement or cash | Show a recent bank statement or enough cash to cover your stay. A daily budget of around 100,000 KRW is a safe benchmark. | Recommended |
eVisa Required — No Visa on Arrival
Nepali passport holders cannot get a visa on arrival in South Korea. You must have an approved eVisa before you fly. Airlines will check this at check-in.
Passport Validity Counts from Entry Date
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive in Korea, not from your departure date. If it expires sooner, renew it first.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for eVisa Online
Go to visa.go.kr, create an account, fill in the application form, upload your photo and passport scan, and pay the fee. Processing takes 5-10 business days. Check your email for the approval notice.
2
Prepare Travel Documents
Print or save your eVisa approval, return ticket, accommodation confirmation, and passport. Keep them together in a folder or on your phone for quick access.
3
Arrive at Incheon or Gimpo Airport
At immigration, join the 'Foreign Passport' queue. Hand over your passport and eVisa approval. The officer may ask for your return ticket and accommodation address. Answer clearly. You'll get an entry stamp valid for up to 30 days.
4
Collect Baggage and Exit
After clearing immigration, collect your luggage from the carousel. If you have nothing to declare, use the green 'Nothing to Declare' channel.
Download South Korea Entry Checklist
PDF · Nepal Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 2026
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
CostKRW 40,000 (~$30 USD)
Standard single-entry visa for tourism.
Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year from issue
CostKRW 60,000 (~$45 USD)
Allows multiple entries within validity.
Student Visa (D-2)
Max stayDuration of studies
ValidityUp to 2 years
CostKRW 60,000 (~$45 USD)
For enrolled students at Korean institutions.
Work Visa (E-7)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
CostKRW 60,000 (~$45 USD)
For skilled workers with a job offer.
work visa
E-7 Work Visa
1 year, renewable
KRW 60,000 (~$45 USD)
For skilled professionals with a job offer in South Korea. Requires employer sponsorship and relevant qualifications.
student visa
D-2 Student Visa
Up to 2 years, renewable
KRW 60,000 (~$45 USD)
For international students enrolled in degree programs at Korean universities. Requires admission letter and proof of funds.
investor visa
D-8 Investor Visa
1 year, renewable
KRW 60,000 (~$45 USD)
For foreign investors who invest at least KRW 100 million in a Korean business. Requires business plan and proof of investment.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| eVisa (Single Entry)Standard fee for single-entry tourist visa. | KRW 40,000 (~$30 USD) |
| eVisa (Multiple Entry)For multiple entries within visa validity. | KRW 60,000 (~$45 USD) |
| Overstay FinePenalty for overstaying visa-free or visa period. | KRW 100,000 per day (max KRW 3,000,000) |
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
No transit visa needed
Nepal passport holders transiting through South Korea do not need a visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket within 24 hours.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of valid US, Japan, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand visas may transit without visa 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)EssentialInfluenzaConsider
Health risks
Air pollutionModerate risk
Fine particulate matter can be high in urban areas, especially during winter.
Foodborne illnessLow risk
Standard hygiene practices reduce risk; avoid undercooked street food.
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, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00
Main office for visa extensions and inquiries.
Busan
Busan Immigration Office
100, Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00
Handles visa services for southern region.
Practical information for NP 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 = 1,498.37 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
Getting to South Korea
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to South Korea — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
Processing typically takes 5-10 business days. Apply at least 2-3 weeks before your trip to be safe. You'll receive the approval by email.
The eVisa fee varies — check the latest on visa.go.kr. As of 2026, it's around 40-60 USD depending on your nationality and visa type.
No, the eVisa for Nepali passport holders is not extendable. You must leave before the 30-day stay expires. Overstaying can result in fines and future visa bans.
Rejections are rare but can happen if documents are incomplete or if you have a prior overstay. You can reapply with corrected information. Contact the Korean embassy in Kathmandu for guidance.
If you're transiting through Incheon and staying airside (not passing immigration), you generally don't need a visa. But if you plan to leave the airport, you need the eVisa. Check with your airline for specific transit rules.
Have your passport, eVisa approval (printed or on phone), return ticket, and first night's accommodation confirmation ready. The officer may ask for any of these.
It's not officially required for the visa application, but it's strongly recommended. Korean hospitals can charge hundreds of dollars per day for treatment without insurance.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.