Pakistani passport holders need a visa for South Korea (ordinary passports; K-ETA is only for visa-free nationalities). This page gathers what the Korean embassy and visa centre for Pakistan publish, checked on 2026-09-26. Rules and fees change — confirm on the official page before you apply.
At a glance
| What the official pages say | |
|---|---|
| Do I need a visa? | Yes — Pakistani ordinary passports need a visa (only diplomatic and official passports are exempt). (source 1, source 2) |
| Visa type | General tourist visa C-3-9, stay up to 90 days. (source) |
| Where to apply | In person at the Korean Embassy in Islamabad (Mon–Fri 9:30–11:30 for applications and passport return). The visa is label-free — print the Visa Grant Notice from visa.go.kr. (source) |
| Fee | PKR 12,000 for a single entry under 90 days (from 16 March 2023); non-refundable. (source) |
| Processing time | At least 8 weeks after the embassy receives the application. (source) |
| Stay per entry | Up to 90 days. (source) |
| Multiple-entry visa | Only for frequent visitors (more than 4 visits in the last 2 years, or more than 10 in total with one in the last 2 years): C-3-1, 5 years, 30 days per stay. (source) |
| Jeju visa-free entry | Not allowed — this nationality is one of the 23 excluded from Jeju visa-free entry; a visa is needed even for Jeju. (source 1, source 2) |
| Visa-free transit | Not allowed — this nationality is excluded from the 30-day transit visa-free entry. (source 1, source 2) |
Core documents
The main items the official checklist asks for — the full list depends on your job and who pays for the trip:
- Signed application form (the current version from the embassy site or visa.go.kr), passport original and copy (valid 6+ months), one colour photo
- Statement of purpose, travel itinerary, round-trip flight and hotel reservations
- Bank statements for the past 6 months (personal and company)
- Proof of employment, identity documents, and past visas or stamps from other countries
(source)
Common reasons applications go wrong
- Using an outdated application form, or an unsigned one.
- Applying too late — allow at least 8 weeks.
- Assuming Jeju or US-visa transit entry works — Pakistan is excluded from both.
- After a refusal you must wait 3 months to reapply; the fee is not refunded.
After the visa
Visa holders fill in the arrival card (paper on the plane, or the e-Arrival Card online before landing). Keep your hotel address and return ticket handy at immigration.
Travelling on another passport? See which nationalities can visit Korea visa-free or with K-ETA.
Korea visa for other nationalities
- Korea tourist visa for Filipino citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Vietnamese citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Indonesian citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Chinese citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Indian citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Bangladeshi citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Nepali citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Mongolian citizens
FAQ
Do Pakistani citizens need a visa for South Korea?
Yes — Pakistani ordinary passports need a visa (only diplomatic and official passports are exempt).
How much is a Korea tourist visa for Pakistani citizens?
PKR 12,000 for a single entry under 90 days (from 16 March 2023); non-refundable.
How long does a Korea visa take in Pakistan?
At least 8 weeks after the embassy receives the application.
Sources: the Korean embassy / consulate and Korea Visa Application Center pages for Pakistan linked above, checked 2026-09-26. This page is information, not legal advice; the embassy decides.
