South Korea e-Visa for citizens of South Africa: online application, fees and processing time 2026
Yes, an e-Visa is required: citizens of South Africa apply online before departure.
Data updated on
Do you hold a valid Schengen, US or UK visa? Visa-free entry up to 30 days (in transit only). In transit through Korea to or from the US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, or to one’s home or a third country. Sticker visa or permanent residence of those four countries or of a European country (EU, Schengen, UK, Ireland). Onward ticket within 30 days. A round trip from the same country does not qualify. Official source (mofa.go.kr)
Official fees from €9.
iVisa is a paid service, charged on top of the official fees. Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you order, at no extra cost to you.
Indicative information: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Official fee
10 USD
Processing time
24-72 hours
How much does an e-visa for South Korea cost from South Africa?
10 USD
Official government fee only. Providers and visa centres add their own service charge on top.
What does a visa for South Korea really cost?
The published fee is the government charge alone. Two or three other lines are added before the visa is in the passport, and they are what makes the final bill.
- Government fee10 USD
Paid to the state, non-refundable if the visa is refused.
- Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
Never compulsory. An intermediary fills the form for you, it does not change the decision or the processing time.
We only display amounts published by an official source. Confirm the total before paying anything.
What documents are required for an e-visa for South Korea?
Documents required for an e-visa for South Korea:
- Eligible passport
- Payment card
How to apply for an e-visa for South Korea from South Africa
- 1Fill in the form on the destination’s official portal.
- 2Upload the required documents (passport, photo, supporting papers).
- 3Pay the fee online by card.
- 4Receive the authorisation by email, usually without a consular visit.
- 5Show the authorisation, printed or on your phone, at boarding.
Where do you apply for a visa for South Korea from South Africa?
An e-visa for South Korea is filed entirely online: there is no counter to visit and no file to hand in. The only address that matters is the official portal.
- The application, the supporting documents and the payment all go through the official portal, from any country.
- Lookalike sites copy the portal’s name and layout, then resell the same application with a margin. Check the domain before you type in a passport number.
- The authorisation arrives by email. Keep a printed copy, some airlines ask for it at boarding.
Using an online service
You never have to use an intermediary. If you would rather have a service fill in and file the application online for you before departure, iVisa does it for a service fee, charged on top of the official fees. It does not change the decision.
File my application with iVisaPartner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you order, at no extra cost to you.
You live in South Africa on another passport?
The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in South Africa but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.
Pick your nationality to see the rule
How long does an e-visa for South Korea take?
24-72 hours
Indicative time, counted from a complete file. Peak season can be longer.
Before you fly, and at the border
- Passport validity: most countries require the passport to stay valid beyond the return date, and the margin required differs from one destination to the next. Check it on the official source, and count from your return, not from your departure.
- A visa is not a right of entry. The border officer decides, and may ask for a return ticket, an address or proof of funds even when everything is in order.
- Conditional exemptions exist: several countries waive the visa for holders of a valid visa or residence permit from a third country. This depends on the destination and on the document, and we do not publish that rule when our sources do not carry it. The official page does.
- Minors travelling alone or with one parent are often asked for extra papers, typically a parental authorisation and the family record. Ask the post before booking.
- Overstaying is not a formality. It exposes you to a fine, to removal, and to an entry ban that can outlast the trip by years, including for the whole area when the destination belongs to one.
Plan your trip
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.
Flights (Trip.com)
Compare flights and airlines for your trip.
eSIM data (Saily)
Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
Partner links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Other visa types for South Korea
A tourist stay is not the only purpose. These are the other permits the destination issues and that your nationality is eligible for, each with its own fee and processing time.
- Business visa (C-3-4 short-term)
- Residence visa (F-2 points-based)
- Non-Professional Employment visa (E-9)
- Special Occupation work visa (E-7)
- Workation visa (digital nomad, F-1-D)
- Student visa (D-2)
5 more visa types
- Language Training visa (D-4)
- Dependant visa (F-3)
- Spouse of Korean visa (F-6)
- Corporate Investor visa (D-8)
- Medical treatment visa (G-1-10)
Online application for South Korea, with no consulate visit.
- Online filing for e-visa and visa-on-arrival destinations
- Online application tracking
- Paid service, on top of official fees
- Decision made by the country's authorities, not by iVisa
Partner link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The visa verdict above does not depend on this partner.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a visa to travel to South Korea from South Africa?▾
Yes, an e-visa (electronic visa) is required. It is applied for online before departure.
How much does a tourist visa for South Korea cost?▾
The tourist visa costs from 10 USD in official fees. Service fees may apply when using a provider.
How long does it take to get a visa for South Korea?▾
Usual processing time: 24-72 hours. Allow some buffer before your departure.
What documents are required for a visa to South Korea?▾
For the tourist visa application, you will need: Eligible passport, Email, Payment card.
How do you apply for a visa for South Korea from South Africa?▾
The application is fully online and made before departure: form on the official portal, documents uploaded, card payment, then the authorisation arrives by email. In most cases no consular visit is needed.
What other visa types exist for South Korea?▾
Depending on the purpose of stay, South Korea offers among others: Business visa (C-3-4 short-term), Residence visa (F-2 points-based), Non-Professional Employment visa (E-9), Special Occupation work visa (E-7), Workation visa (digital nomad, F-1-D), Student visa (D-2).
Data verified on 28/10/2026 · Our methodology
Get alerted when this visa policy changes
One email only when this destination’s regime, fees or visas change. One-click unsubscribe.
Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Other visas from South Africa
Guides to prepare your trip
Transit visa 2026: when a simple layover requires a visa
Staying airside and crossing immigration are not governed by the same rules. When a transit visa becomes mandatory, the Schengen case, the…
Digital Nomad Visas Around the World: 2026 Guide
Indonesia (E33G), Dubai, Thailand (DTV), Georgia: income requirements, duration and official fees of digital nomad visas checked on…